Read James 5:13-18
What happens when we pray, and no healing takes place? I’m sure you’ve had that happen in your life. Wrestling with God in those moments is difficult. We can feel like God has left us behind or turned a deaf ear to our cries!
Some of us blame God and even turn away. That’s never the answer. God has his reasons for answering prayer the way he does. Not healing is God saying no to our request. I learned a long time ago it doesn’t do any good to get mad at God or demand my way. I may never understand why God allowed someone else to be healed but not the person I prayed about. I trust God knows best, even when I cannot see.
Driving down the road today we saw a sign in front of a church that read: “Healing on Mondays at 4:30 p.m.” Curious. After reading these verses from James, we know that healing happens when we pray. Does that mean that church only prays for healing during those designated times? What if it’s not God’s timing?
That’s the key! Our healing will happen on God’s timing. The verse here says, “Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.” The word “will” is certainly affirmative for both our sickness and our sinfulness. But the “when” is another matter. What if God’s perfect timing for our healing and forgiveness is not until we die and leave this world?
Rather than get caught up in “when” our answered prayer will arrive, James wants us to take away the important thing, which is to pray. Pray! Paul told the Thessalonians that same message as well “Never stop praying.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT) God wants to hear from us. He invites us to be in relationship with him, and all relationships require communication. Our prayer time is our conversation with God.
One of my favorite verses in James is, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” It reminds us how powerful it is to pray with someone else. We don’t need to suffer alone or hide our sinful behaviors. We can share them with someone we trust. We can be set free using the power of someone else praying for us!
This verse was a biggie for me when going through the 12-steps with Celebrate Recovery. Leadership in that ministry had to work the steps right along with every one else. Nobody is without a hurt or habit in their life that couldn’t be touched by prayer. The verse promises “wonderful results!” Believe me, I’ve seen miracles in the lives of fellow brothers and sisters walking the path of recovery. There is nothing more thrilling than to witness answered prayer!
Prayer can and should be a big part of our lives. God is listening. We need to believe that our prayers matter. Will God truly hear us and answer us? Isn’t it time to let the power of prayer take over a situation in your life?
Elijah believed God was listening with every ounce of his being. James knew that a reference to the Old Testament prophet Elijah would help his audience immensely to take a step in faith to pray. “Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” That’s a long time to pray, but his earnest requests were answered in God’s time. Elijah called on God many other times with great results as well. (Remember the 450 prophets of Baal and the altars of meat?)
What stood out to you in this reading from James’ letter? Are you feeling good about your prayer life? Do you know people who are struggling and need your earnest prayers to heal them? Take some time today talk with God about what you are feeling about this passage.
Let’s pray. Father, I love that I can come to you in prayer with the assurance you will answer me. I thank you for the privilege to pray for someone in need, crying out to you on their behalf. Help me see the individuals who need your healing touch. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
