“Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:13-14).
Are you going through a test or trial in your life right now? Well, if so, this scripture is talking to you. The word “afflicted” means to be tested or tried. But I want you to notice something. He said let the person who is afflicted pray.
Now it’s true that we want other people to pray for us. But don’t forget something. God expects you to pray for yourself – that’s exercising faith.
If you don’t pray at all, you make the test more difficult for yourself. He said let the person who is afflicted pray. So if you are going through some tough times in your life, you should be carving out a little extra prayer time. The higher Satan raises the intensity of the test, the more intense your prayer life should get.
In verse 14, he asks another question. Is there any sick among you? Notice the question mark. See there my not be any sick among you, but if there is, let him call for the elders of the church – not his friends or his family. The sick person is to do the calling because this is an act of faith.
When the sick person calls, then the elders will pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of Jesus. Now there is nothing magical about the oil. The oil represents the power of the Holy Ghost. It reminds the person who is receiving prayer that the anointing is on the minister as he prays for them. The anointing is God’s burden removing, yoke-destroying power that overpowers any yoke. Sickness is a yoke – it has to go.
Verse 15 begins, “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick.” It didn’t just say any kind of prayer. Therefore, we are to pray the prayer of faith over someone who is sick. When we do that, the prayer of faith will heal them. The prayer of faith will save the sick and shall raise him up. Why? The prayer of faith is the power of God. The Word of God will raise them up.
So if you’re sick today – you call for the elders of the church. If you’re in a test or trial today – you pray. Knowing that your prayers are effective, pray out your victory. God will always come through for you – He is your healer, your deliverer, and He will cause your breakthrough.
Scripture References: Jeremiah 29:12-14; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).