I think it depends on what you are meaning to say. Lift and raise can be uses in different ways. For example, 1) Do you need a lift? is equivalent to…. Do you need a ride? 2) Can you help me lift this box? is equivalent to…. Can you help me pick up this box? 3) My promotion includes a raise in salary and a new position. is equivalent to…. My promotion includes a salary increase and new position. 4) May you raise the blinds? is equivalent to… May you lift up the blinds? These are examples, but “raise” and “lift” can have several meanings depending on how you use it in a sentence. Does that make sense? I’m not sure if I am being clear.