14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
James 5:14-15
Praying in faith is a vital aspect of Christian living. Believers ought to pray and should lift up their requests believing that God is able to do miracles.
James instructs the sick to call for the elders of the church, be anointed with oil, and be prayed for by the leaders of the congregation. This practice is consistent with the biblical record. The elders do not have to be called in every situation. Yet, the option remains should the need arise among the flock.
The overarching lesson from verses 14-15 is the need for God’s people to pray in a believing spirit. Too often, the Church prays with little to no faith that God will actually do what they are praying for the Lord to accomplish. Every member of the church (no just the elders) should intercede on behalf of the sick and hurting. And when the Christian does pray for their fellow Believers, let them bring petitions with the full faith and confidence that God will hear them and will move on their behalf.
The Lord will not always answer our prayers exactly as hoped. But, He will hear us and grant us His will in all things. And that is what is best after all!
Tony French
mrtonyfrench 