Winter of Worship: Hands of Praise

³ Let the people thank you, God!
    Let all the people thank you!
⁴     Let the people celebrate
        and shout with joy
        because you judge the nations fairly
        and guide all nations on the earth. Selah
⁵     Let the people thank you, God!
    Let all the people thank you!

⁶ The earth has yielded its harvest.
    God blesses us—our God blesses us!
⁷ Let God continue to bless us;
    let the far ends of the earth honor him.

1 Timothy 2. 1- 10 (CEB)

First of all, then, I ask that requests, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be made for all people. ² Pray for kings and everyone who is in authority so that we can live a quiet and peaceful life in complete godliness and dignity. ³ This is right and it pleases God our savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ There is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the human Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a payment to set all people free. This was a testimony that was given at the right time. ⁷ I was appointed to be a preacher and apostle of this testimony—I’m telling the truth and I’m not lying! I’m a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ Therefore, I want men to pray everywhere by lifting up hands that are holy, without anger or argument. ⁹ In the same way, I want women to enhance their appearance with clothing that is modest and sensible, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive clothes. ¹⁰ They should make themselves attractive by doing good, which is appropriate for women who claim to honor God.