The Prayer of Faith for Healing

At the end of his letter, James once again addresses various situations in the lives of believers. There may be difficulties and sadness. But there may also be joy and good circumstances. In both cases, there is a danger of departure from the Lord Jesus. James shows us what can protect us from this. Under challenging circumstances, it is prayer, and in good circumstances, it is thankfulness that causes us to sing (see James 5:13). Both connect us to God, and we need that connection!

Sickness in the life of a believer

James then turns to the subject of sickness. Sickness in the life of a believer can have many causes. Sometimes, God, who is above all, gives us clarity concerning that.

For example, God may send us a physical handicap so that we may stay close to Him and do not sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More. This was the case with Paul (see 2 Cor 12:7). God may also want to glorify Himself through an illness. This was the case with the man born blind in John 9. God also always wants to strengthen our faith.

However, sickness may also be a result of sin in our lives. This was the case with the Corinthians, for example (see 1 Cor 11:30). James addresses this possibility in chapter 5:15.16, but the phrase "and if he has committed sins" (v.15) also considers other possible causes of illness.

Altogether he gives four critical clues:

• The sick person should call the elders.
• The elders should pray over him.
• They should anoint him with oilWhen oil is mentioned in the Bible, it usually refers to olive oil. It was considered an important staple food and was used for ointments and as a light source... More.
• If the ill person realizes that his illness is caused by sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More, he should confess his sins to be forgiven.

Calling the Elders

Calling elders was familiar to the recipients of James' letter. After all, they came from Judaism, and some elders had special responsibilities among God's people (see Ex 3:16 and others). There were also elders in the churches in Jerusalem and Judaea (see Acts 11:30). James is probably thinking of these elders when he writes of the elders of the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More. 

Later, elders were appointed by the apostles and their representatives (see Titus 1:5). This office of elders no longer exists today, but the ministry of elders still exists. It is good to have this ministry of elders in the local church today who you can call when you have a problem. Are you willing to put that trust in them?

Of course, such brethren need not be called in every case of sickness. But especially in the case where the sick person has become aware that sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More is the cause of the illness, James encourages openness and honesty. He makes it clear how necessary it is to confess sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More. Without confession, God cannot grant forgivenessIn Scripture, forgiveness is presented to us from two points of view. • The side of God: God’s thoughts towards the sinner whom he forgives. On the basis of Christ’s... More, and the sickness that God has sent due to sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More cannot be healed.

The Prayer of Faith

What should the elders whom the sick person has called do? They should pray over the sick person. Prayer is always an essential thing. When we sincerely pray to God, we realize that we need Him. We feel our dependence on God and go to Him. We look to Him for help and guidance. When we bring everything to Him, He will give us His peace. He has promised this (see Phil 4:6, 7). 

Here in James, we are not dealing with the general expression of our worries and concerns but with the prayer of faith. This prayer of faith is based on God's revelation and promises. It is spoken with discernment and insight into the will of God in the specific situation. A similar problem is described in 1 John 5:16. 

Such prayer will never be in vain. Here, James writes that prayer of faith leads to healing. This encourages us to ask in faith, that is, to accept God's concrete promise and express it in prayer. Just as God makes a definite promise here that the prayer of faith will heal the sick, so it can happen today: God, who is sovereign and, above all, hears and judges such a prayer of faith and will never leave it unanswered in the abovementioned circumstances.

Anointing with oilWhen oil is mentioned in the Bible, it usually refers to olive oil. It was considered an important staple food and was used for ointments and as a light source... More

First, James spoke of the elders praying. This is the most important thing. Then, he goes on to say that they should anoint the sick with oilWhen oil is mentioned in the Bible, it usually refers to olive oil. It was considered an important staple food and was used for ointments and as a light source... More. This was a standard medical treatment in those days. The disciples also anointed the sick with oilWhen oil is mentioned in the Bible, it usually refers to olive oil. It was considered an important staple food and was used for ointments and as a light source... More (see Mark 6:13), and the Good Samaritan put oilWhen oil is mentioned in the Bible, it usually refers to olive oil. It was considered an important staple food and was used for ointments and as a light source... More on the wounds of the man who had fallen among thieves (see Luke 10:34). The anointing with oilWhen oil is mentioned in the Bible, it usually refers to olive oil. It was considered an important staple food and was used for ointments and as a light source... More has no mysterious significance. No miraculous powers were unleashed as a result. [1] Healing would not result from the anointing but from the prayer of faith.

The elders were to anoint the sick in the name of the Lord. They were to do this following the Lord and His will. In addition to prayer, they should also bring the sick person into contact with the Lord. In this way, everything that had happened would be revealed in His light so that it could be corrected. The graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More of God would be able to bring restorationWhen a believer turns away from God, He works on them so that they turn back to God through repentance and confession. Then, the believer can once again honor God... More and healing.

The Confession of Sins

Finally, James again addresses the case where the sickness was a result of sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More. In this case, the sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More must be confessed. Confession of sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More is always a prerequisite for receiving forgivenessIn Scripture, forgiveness is presented to us from two points of view. • The side of God: God’s thoughts towards the sinner whom he forgives. On the basis of Christ’s... More.

We must distinguish between the forgivenessIn Scripture, forgiveness is presented to us from two points of view. • The side of God: God’s thoughts towards the sinner whom he forgives. On the basis of Christ’s... More of sins in relation to eternity and temporal forgivenessIn Scripture, forgiveness is presented to us from two points of view. • The side of God: God’s thoughts towards the sinner whom he forgives. On the basis of Christ’s... More in relation to earth. In relation to eternity, all our sins are forgiven. But as far as our practical relationship of faith with God is concerned, we must confess the sins we continually commit so that He can forgive them and our relationship with Him is no longer burdened. In addition, we should also confess our sins to all the people against whom we have sinned.

Suppose God has sent a sickness as a matter of discipline, so that the fallen believer will recognize and confess a sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More he has committed. In that case, nothing stands in the way of healing once the sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More has been forgiven (see Chapter 5:16). Healing is the outward signThe Gospel of John tells us about eight signs that the Lord Jesus performed. These signs, which are also miracles, point to something special. They aim to help us grow... More that the sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More has been forgiven.

Pray Again

Sometimes sickness is caused by sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More, but God will always seek to bring us to the point where sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More is recognized and confessed. Completely detached from the cause of his illness, James finally returns to prayer. The example of Elijah inspires us anew to pray earnestly and with faith.

We do not even read in the Old Testament that Elijah prayed that it would not rain. The description of his prayerful attitude and waiting for God's answer in 1 Kings 18 is all the more impressive. Elijah prayed seven times with his face between his knees. He had to wait that long for the first signThe Gospel of John tells us about eight signs that the Lord Jesus performed. These signs, which are also miracles, point to something special. They aim to help us grow... More of an answer to his prayer, even though he had already prophesied the rain in faith. God was not ashamed of his faith!

Footnote: [1] The word used here for "anointing" describes the ordinary "everyday anointing" (as in John 11:2). Scripture uses a different word for "holy" anointing (as in Luke 4:18 or Acts 10:38).