This 4 min. episode reading from the Book of James heavily emphasizes prayer. IS ANY AMONG YOU AFFLICTED…When you experience poverty, affliction, or distress, Scripture invites you to seek strength from God through prayer. Draw near to your mediator, Jesus Christ. He will represent you before God, make intercession for you (Heb. 7:25). And give mercy and grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16). Take seriously God’s Word: “casting you’re your care upon Him; for He careth for you (1 Pet. 5:7). If we are happy in the LORD, we must since songs of praise to Him (Ps 33:2-3; 81:1-2; 92:1-3; 98:4-6; 144:9; 149:1-5; 150).
Here he speaks of anointing with oil. James is speaking of physical sickness. We may deal with illness by sending for the elders or leaders of the church. It is the duty of pastors and elders to pray for the sick and to anoint them with oil. Note that the responsibility to pray the prayer of faith is on them, not on the ill person. The oil probably represents the healing power of the Holy Spirit and was used as an aid to faith (Mark 6:13). It is the prayer that James emphasizes as most important. Effective prayer must be offered in faith if the sick is to be healed. The LORD will give faith according to His Will. People may or may not always be healed (on this side); nevertheless, God promises to be with all those who cry unto Him in fervent prayer. The LORD shall never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
IF HE HAS COMMITTED SINS, James recognizes that sickness may be due to sin (v. 16). Hence, whenever sickness occurs, one should examine himself before the LORD in prayer to determine if his sickness is due to personal sin. The “if” makes it clear that sickness is not always the result of personal sin.
FERVENT PRAYER … AVAILETH MUCH. The prayer of a man who is righteous accomplished much. A righteous man’s prayer draws him near to God (Heb. 7:25); opens the way to a Spirit-filled life (Luke 11:13; Acts 1:14); brings him power for ministry (Acts 1:8; 4:31, 33) and Christian devotion (Eph 1:19); builds him up spiritually (Jude 20); gives him insight into Christ’s provision for him (Eph. 1:16-19); helps him overcome Satan (Dan. 10:12-13); Eph. 6:12-13,18); clarifies the will of God for him (Ps. 32:6-8; Prov. 3:5-6; Mark 1:35-39); enables him to receive spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:1)p brings him into fellowship with God (Mat. 6:9; John 7:37; 14:16).
HE PRAYED … THE HEAVEN GAVE RAIN. Elijah was a man who had faith that his prayers to God would accomplish much, even to the point of God’s intervention in the course of nature. He believes that prayer by a righteous man does change things and circumstances(Vv. 13-16; Ps 34:6; Is. 38:1-5; Mat. 17:21; 26:41, 53; Mark 11:24).
IF ANY OF YOU DO ERR. Believers should do everything p[possible to turn back to God for those who stray from the truth (Gal. 4:19; 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:18, 25-26; Jude 22-23). The salvation of a wandering brother or sister should always be a high priority in the Christian community. If the backslider returns to Christ, the one who converts him or her will have saved the soul of the sinner “from death,”, spiritual death, and eternal separation from God (Rom. 6:23; Gal. 6:8; Rev. 20:14).
HSB/FL
