why do we raise our hands during the prayer of praise?
The prayer of praise is a prayer to the triune God, voiced on behalf of the congregation, praising Him for who He is and what He has done (Eph. 1:3–14). We ask people gathered in the assembly of God’s people to lift their hands in worship and reverence to the Lord during this prayer.
My eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you. - Psalm 88:9
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. - Psalm 63:3-4
Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. - Psalm 28:2
Often, our hearts can “catch up” with the truth if we act the truth out with our physical bodies. The raising of hands is a universal physical symbol of worship and awe. When we doubt or wonder where God is in our suffering, sickness, or depression, we can “call upon the LORD; I spread out my hands to you. - Psalm 88:9”