James 5:13-16

Written ~ 12-10-2023

James 5:13-16

13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 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.

16 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.

I believe with all my heart that, as believers, when we come together and pray for one another, awesome things can and will happen! It says in Matthew 18:20 (AMP),

20 “For where two or three are gathered in My Name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”

Jesus promises He will be among us as we pray, so as we gather together in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ His Holy Spirit is present and He has the power of Heaven with Him. When we pray in the Name of Jesus, powerful things will happen. In John 14:13-14 (AMP) it says,

13 “And I will do whatever you ask in My Name [***as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My Name [***as My representative], I will do it.”

(***In an Amplified Study Bible footnotes it says,  “Acting as Jesus’ representative means that the person calling on His Name is in a close relationship with Him and wants what He wants.”)

Sometimes our human brains don’t want to or can’t comprehend the healing power of the Holy Spirit. We see sickness and death in the world, some get healed, some don’t. Maybe that has caused our faith to waver just a little bit. But the verses we are reading today, don’t give room for doubt and unbelief. Verse 5:15 makes it very clear that “Jesus will.” So why is it that we come to the throne of God, praying in the Name of Jesus but have a hint of doubt within that prayer? Maybe we have been conditioned through our own life struggles that we shouldn’t really expect any change when we pray, and with that attitude we don’t know how to pray with the assertiveness these verses in James are talking about! Quite honestly, I know I have been guilty of that very thing! In the Book of Mark Chapter 9, there is a story of a father who brings his demon possessed boy to Jesus, this is what conspired in verses 9:22-24,

22 “…Have mercy on us and help us, if You can.” 23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

So when we read the verses from James and it says,

  • Suffering any hardships? Pray.
  • Are any of you sick? Pray.
  • Anoint with oil.
  • Pray in the Name of Jesus.
  • The Lord will.

Verse 5:16b says,

16b “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

Let’s look at the definition of the word “earnest”, it’s used as a description to prayer in this verse:

  • characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind
  • a serious and intent mental state
  • a considerable or impressive degree or amount

Are we truly coming to the Lord in prayer for one another with earnest prayer? Or are we tackling these big challenges in our life all on our own? Do you sit in your quiet place praying, but don’t see any changes in your situation? Do you suffer alone? Well, it’s pretty clear in our verses today that we need to talk with like minded believers, and ask for prayer.

  • You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you.
  • Confess your sins (your offenses) to each other.
  • Pray for each other so that you may be healed.

Nowhere in our verses today say to handle your pain, your sickness, your struggles all on your own. We must open our hearts to seek the support of other believers. If you don’t have anybody like that in your life, you need to find someone! It may be that if you haven’t gone to church in a while, well, it might just be time to go back, mainly so you can surround yourself with other believers and even consult with the prayer team there! Do it! Don’t delay. Don’t remain in your suffering, alone and defeated.

Praying with Power. Praying in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is going to “produce wonderful results!”

Let’s not overlook verse 5:13b,

13b “Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.”

If you are in a season of joy, of happiness and cheer, if you are not suffering or sick, then bring those praises to the Father! Praise the Name of Jesus! Praying for others in a state of praise can be a powerful thing! If you are not suffering or sick then use that in your prayers for the sick, use that unwavering praise for those who are struggling! Let’s see what can happen when we pray with the Power of the Holy Spirit and ask Jesus in His Name to heal the sick and to make a way for hardships to be lessened. In John 10:10 we see that we do have an enemy who wants to keep us in a state of despair, when we pray in the Name of Jesus, the enemy must flee.

10 “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance.”

Keeping our eyes on Jesus, praying in His Name, promises to have the Power of the Holy Spirit produce wonderful results.

Do not waver in your prayers. Gather the two or three believers together to Pray in the Name of Jesus.

Thank You Jesus for hearing our prayers, help us with any doubt or unbelief! Have us come to You with assertiveness and with praise. Help us come to You with expectant hearts. Release us from sin and pain when we come to the foot of the cross with our confessions. Thank You for Your complete forgiveness. Thank You Lord for YOU are the giver of LIFE!

~AMEN~

  • Coming to know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior will be the most important decision you will ever make… Won’t you humble your heart today and give your life Jesus? He’s waiting…

Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.

If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you!

  • It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.