I Want Men to Lift Uip Holy Hands to Pray, Does This Mean That Women Can't Pray for Men?
1) Direct Answer
No. “I want men to lift up holy hands” does not mean women can’t pray for men. Women can and should pray for men. That verse sets order for public leadership in prayer, not a ban on women’s intercession.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- 1 Timothy 2:8 says, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands,” and in the same passage (2:11–12) the Bible sets the order that women are not to teach or usurp authority over a man. So the leadership of public worship is laid on men.
- But the call to prayer is for the whole church: “Supplications, prayers, intercessions… be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1). That includes women praying for men.
- The Bible shows women in prayer with the brethren: “These all continued with one accord in prayer… with the women” (Acts 1:14). Anna “served God with fastings and prayers night and day” (Luke 2:37).
- The Scripture acknowledges women praying under proper headship order (1 Corinthians 11:5).
- For official church ministry to the sick, the Bible appoints the elders to anoint (James 5:14). But the promise to pray for the sick is to believers generally (Mark 16:17–18).
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- If women could not pray for men, Scripture would not command “prayers… for all men” to the whole church or show women praying with the brethren.
- The verse about men lifting holy hands establishes headship and public order, not a prohibition against women’s intercession.
- Therefore, women may pray for men anywhere—home, private, or in the congregation—so long as it does not put them in a role of teaching or exercising authority over men in the assembly.
4) Reinforcing Statement
Now notice, God calls the whole Body to pray. Men lead in public order, but women’s prayers are needed and welcomed. “Pray without ceasing” applies to daughters and sons alike.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
What hearest thou, Elijah?
59-0412E §68
...hat believe." Do you believe that I believe Him who I'm talking about? ["Yes, I do."] Then these signs shall follow. In the name of Jesus Christ, may our sister be healed. Amen. Come. Do you women believe as you're coming together that God will heal and make you well? ["Yes, sir."] I lay my hands upon you. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and according to His Word and promise, you shall recover. Amen. Do you believe, sir, as you're bringing this man, that the man will be healed? ["Yes, sir."] Do you bel...
Show us the Father
61-0521 §101
I want not leave this audience in this kind of a shape lest you all think that I'm the only one has a right to pray for the sick. Your pastor has a right to pray for you just as much as I. Now he might not be a seer. They only come one in a generation. But remember, God never at one time... So it will clear up something that's bothering your minds that I can already perceive. In the Bible there was never but one time ... one seer at a time. Elijah and then Elisha, and then Isaiah, then Jeremiah, that's right. All t...
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever
62-0718 §110
Now, I couldn't do that myself. That's your faith, too. No matter how much faith I have, you've got to have faith also, see. And your faith touched Him, and with the gift that He give me, just speaks back his words to you, see. Now I'm quoting his words out of the Bible. "These signs shall follow them that believe ... if they lay their hands on the sick they shall recover." Now, I want each one of you... Don't pray for yourself, 'cause the person that's got their hands on you is praying for you. You pray for them....
It is I, be not afraid
62-0611 §99
Now you pray for the person you got your hands laid on. Don't pray for yourself now. You just pray, for that man's praying for you. You just pray. I'll finish up the cards tomorrow night. Lay your hands... Or you might not have to have any tomorrow night. Just lay your hands over on one another, and you'll go home, be well.
It is I
61-0517 §87
...believe with all your heart. What about that gall bladder trouble, setting over there against the wall. You're looking so sincere... I don't know you, do I? We're strangers to one another. And that's what your trouble. That is right, isn't it? Are we strangers to one another? Raise up your hand. Was that your trouble? All right, sir. You was setting there praying, wanting God to touch you. You touched Him and He touched me. Now, Clarence, Mr. Roon, you can go home, be well. God makes you well. That's your name, isn...