James 5:13-18
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: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Read all of James Chapter 5 here
James is beginning to wind down towards the end of his Epistle as he heads off into another direction. James is preparing to discuss prayer, a subject he apparently had much experience with. According to tradition, and some ancient writings, James spent so much time on his knees praying that his knees became tough and leathered; they were so much so that he apparently was referred to as “Old camel knees.” That is serious prayer time, for sure.
James is about to share with us one of the strongest passages in Scripture regarding prayer. He has not, however, taken any sort of U turn in this section, as he is still seemingly addressing patience through the trials and tribulations of life; now he is simply telling us the best way, ultimately, to deal with those trials.
As we launch into this section, I ask readers to read with an open mind. Not all things covered during the next few days will find agreement with all readers. Please, disagree if you find cause; however, let us keep it nice! I raise that point, because it seems this section has a wide range of interpretations from many different quarters.
Many questions come to mind as we begin to study this section of scripture. Are there different types of suffering and sickness being talked about here? Does God promise that prayer will always result in healing? Why the elders? Are we supposed to be anointing people with oil? What does Elijah have to do with all of this?
As we head into this passage remember the old maxim; A scripture with out a context is a pretext.
Any body care to take a try at some of our questions?
Anyone have any brief thoughts they want to share on this section before we start our study?
February 2, 2017 at 07:42
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2017 at 07:43
Thanks brother Vincent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2017 at 10:30
My pleasure Brother Wally 😆
LikeLike
February 2, 2017 at 08:14
I love this passage. It has been a source of comfort on numerous occasions.
LikeLike
February 2, 2017 at 08:17
Thanks Robert. I have to agree!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2017 at 08:19
Well fiddle, my enter finger clicked to soon. One thing I have learned from this passage that has been a challenge for me is the calling of the elders thing. I am not prone to toss out my problems to those around me….but clearly there is benefit to be had from that or God would not have told us such. Tried it. It works! There is power in praying friends.
LikeLiked by 2 people
February 2, 2017 at 08:22
I think asking others to pray for us in such circumstances can be a source of strength while it removes barriers of pride and self-consciousness. That’s what it did for me the first time I experienced it as a senior in high school. It honestly changed the direction of my life.
LikeLiked by 3 people
February 2, 2017 at 08:27
Yes..those barriers are what stops us. I find for me having a few men I trust a lot to pray for me help ease my issues with saying I have a problem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2017 at 10:04
I think it’s a sign of courage for a man to spill out his heart to his friends. We have too long looked at need as weakness. We can help each other so much through our prayers.
LikeLike
February 2, 2017 at 10:24
We sure can Kathy, and what you said about us guys is so right on the money. We want to deal with our own stuff…like we can handle what God can’t …sheesh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2017 at 12:10
Women are the same sometimes!
LikeLike
February 2, 2017 at 12:14
I don’t think as bad, though. Sharing is more natural, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2017 at 13:18
Reblogged this on emotionalpeace.
LikeLike
February 2, 2017 at 13:46
Thank you Julie. The work of folks like you who share so much is really appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2017 at 16:23
you are welcome you make it so easy with the things you write.
LikeLike
February 2, 2017 at 17:17
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2017 at 20:26
Wally, most of our sicknesses today are taken to the doctors. Most don’t have church elders, and most of these have never practiced what is written here in James 5. We don’t have space here to look at how far the church has come from our dependence on our Almighty God and the communion of the saints. We are living in times in which something has to give; hopefully we will be brought back to humility and trust in our heavenly Father for all things. We pray for His intervention so that men’s mouths may be shut, except to pray and praise Him.
Thank you for your series on James. ~ Fran
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2017 at 06:31
Thanks for reading Fran
I think doctors are wonderful! They are a gift from God to provide a way for Him to heal us. I would never discourage anybody from great medical treatment. Having said that, we should STILL pray for healing.
Thanks for reading and commenting Fran
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2017 at 13:22
Wally, thank you again for sharing God’s Word. Doctors are God’s gift for those in our day that need help, but do not realize that all healing is from Him. His grace is extended even to the heathen without their knowing. There are recordings in God’s Word where His people turned to other sources before coming to Him. This is true today. My comment was based on the reference to healing as James was instructing the church.Not all have the same experience, but God receives the glory wherever His grace is poured out.
Blessings for the week-end. ~ Fran
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2017 at 13:27
Thanks Fran
Stay tuned we aren’t quite done with this topic!
😆
LikeLiked by 1 person