Abu Humaid as-Sa‘idi said that when God’s Messenger stood up to pray, he faced the <i>qibla</i>, raised his hands and said, “God is most great." Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ وَقَالَ: الله أكبر. رَوَاهُ ابْن مَاجَه