Hearts up! Biblical foundation
lifting our hearts and souls is as old as our relationship with God
Biblical Roots of Lifting Your Heart
When we say “Hearts up!” we’re not inventing something new.
We’re standing on deep biblical ground - Old Testament worship, New Testament theology, and Jesus’ own example.
Old Testament: the source of the language and theology
Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven. - Lamentations 3:41
This is the direct Scriptural source for the Sursum Corda.
Lamentations was written when the Israelites were in captivity - when they had been conquered and taken away from their land for generations. It’s a book about suffering, confession, corporate sin.
Yet in the midst of suffering, the call of God comes:
‘Lift up your hearts.
Even in exile. Even in pain. Even when everything feels lost.
Hearts up.
Psalms: Lifting hands in worship
Many of the Psalms were also written in Babylonian captivity. They are the songs, poems and worship of the Jewish people, committed to memory so they never forget.
Hear the voice of my supplication as I cry to you, as I lift my hands toward your holiest shrine - Psalm 28:2
Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord. - Psalm 134:2
The image of lifting hands in worship is deeply embedded in Jewish prayer tradition.
Lifting is not just physical - it’s spiritual orientation.
Your body points to where your heart is going.
New Testament: The New Covenant of Jesus
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:1-2
This is the theological center of “Hearts up!”
It’s about aligning our souls with the reality of God’s Kingdom.
You’ve been raised with Christ. You’re seated with him in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). Your citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
So orient yourself accordingly.
Set your mind - and your heart - on things above.
We are citizens of the Kingdom of God
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:6
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn... to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant. - Hebrews 12:22-24
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard like a trumpet called out, ‘Come up here.’ - Revelation 4:1
When we lift up our hearts, we’re not escaping reality.
We’re entering into actual reality.
The heavenly worship is happening right now. The door is standing open. God is calling: ‘Come up here.’
“Hearts up!” is our response.
Jesus’ Example
Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As was his custom, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. - Luke 4:16
Jesus participated in Jewish worship practices, which would have included lifting hearts and hands to God.
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed, ‘Father, the hour has come.’ - John 17:1
Jesus himself lifted his gaze heavenward in prayer.
We follow his example.
What This Means for Your Practice
When you say ‘Hearts up!’ you’re not doing something sentimental or metaphorical. It’s not just a peppy way to brighten our mood.
It’s biblically grounded, theologically sound, and modeled by Jesus himself.
Want to explore more?
Quick Start - Hearts up! (How to practice)
Where the Practice comes from - Hearts Up! (Christian tradition)
Meet your Trainers - Hearts up! (Ancient coaches)
