July 23, 2009 - Prayer For The Sick

Meditation on James 5

James calls on us to pray with the presence of the elders of the church when we are sick. The elders (pastors) would pray over the patient and anoint him with oil. (v. 14)

Most evangelical scholars would agree that the oil was used in the biblical time as medicine. The elder would rube oil on the patient as a medicine. It indicated that it is alright to use medicine when we pray. God can certainly heal the sick without any medicine. But in this case He wanted the elders to use medicine. But the prayers should only be offered with faith in God. Only He can bring healing to man's body which was created by Him.

Some illness is the result of sin. So repentance and confession to one another are important in prayers also. God will forgive the sinner(s). James emphasizes that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

It is interesting to know that Elijah was as human like us. He was fearful for his life. He was emotional and deeply depressed at one time. But when he prayed he could stop rain and call for rain at the right moment according to God’s will. We too must pray for one another especially for those who are sick.