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.”
James knew that healing for the believer should include fervent, earnest prayer. James points out the example of Elijah. Elijah was a man who prayed in God’s will that it would not rain, and it did not. Then Elijah prayed for rain, and God gave it. Elijah prayed according to God’s will in both instances. Elijah was strong in the promises of God.
Psalm 139 14, states that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Galatians 6:9, states that we are not to grow weary in well doing because we will reap if we do not faint. God is able to heal and deliver in His will. This is the earnest prayer that should be given for each other as we pray for healing and blessing on our lives and the lives of others. God knows us better than we know ourselves and is able to answer prayer in order that He might be glorified in our lives. I Corinthians 10:31, states that we should glorify Him in everything we do. We need to persevere in prayer and expect that God will hear and answer according to His will. The Spirit of God will move us to pray and answer prayer according to God’s will and plan for each of us. Christ’s life was filled with daily fervent prayers. Christ spent hours in prayer for decisions and events that He would face in His life. Christ is praying for His children even now. Elijah prayed several time, and so we need to pray for those who are sick and in need of healing.
Many times we do not have answers because we are not humbly asking God for specific answers. We must be continuously asking God for answers and not lose faith even when we must wait for an answer or for healing which may even take some time. The prayer of faith can save the sick, save the soul, or bring a victory in the life of a believer. Our faith needs to be strengthened by the prayer as well. The basis for all of our actions must be in Scripture. If we persevere in prayer, there will be more answers. As we study the prayers in Scripture, we should be strengthened in our faith and know that God will bring forth that which He plans for each of us. If He has more service for us to perform for Him, He can raise us up. When our work is done, He will welcome us home. We must trust Him in both instances as we pray.
Tabernacle for Today 