And then we have the story of the proud Pharisee praying in front with uplifted arms/hands.
Yet, God was more pleased with the sinner who was standing in back with bowed head and striking his breast.
Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am a sinner.
I don’t think it was the raised hands that was the problem in this story, but drawing attention to yourself as you offer your service/offering. Similar to fasting & drawing attention to yourself as fasting.
Sports (possibly the greatest religion in the US) uses ‘raising hands’ as the highest praise. If you make a basket, great...but a 3-point basket - you get ‘hands raised’. Same in football - scoring a point is recognized by the ‘raising of hands’.
I have been to churches where you have to do a lot more than raise your hands to draw attention to yourself.
What version of the bible are you reading that says the Pharisee prayed with uplifted arms/hands? I checked several versions and it never mentions his arms or hands.