Prayer is very important and indispensable in the life of every believer, more so as we enter the New Year. The Scripture declares that, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”.
This is proven by Elijah who, despite being “subject to like passions as we are… prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not… And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” Similarly, when we pray with appropriate faith, it brings blessings, leads to the revelation of God’s mind and makes us to become fruitful, progressive and successful in the work He has committed into our hands.
“Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” Many people pray, but their prayer is not effective. This is because they worry, fret and panic before and after they pray. Some others pray for their affliction to be lifted but at the same time criticise people they suspect are the cause. For our prayers to be effective and answered, there must be no fear, panic, fretting, worry, anxiety or suspicion. We must also ensure there is no disobedience. When any problem comes, the first thing to do is call on God in prayer, based on His promise. When we pray, we must remember His command, our partnership with God and the assurance that if we ask anything in the name of Jesus, it will be done.
Apostle James’ question, “Is any among you afflicted?” does not give the impression that everyone in the church would be under affliction. If there is anyone like that, the command to such is “let him pray”. The directive is still relevant and applicable today. Affliction comes in various ways. Whatever the severity of the trial, the Lord says, “…call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me”. Anyone who is sick can as well “call for the elders of the church [to] pray over him” because sickness is not the will of God for believers.
Any sick person that prays or is prayed for by leaders in the church must fulfil certain conditions. Some illness results from sin, which weaken the prayer of faith. The sick person is expected to do self-examination to find out why the rod of illness has come: whether there is the sin of gossiping, disobedience, not discerning the Lord’s body, fighting against the word of God or some secret iniquity.
Upon discovering any transgression, the condition to fulfil before praying for healing is to “Confess [the] faults” to God and any person(s) who have been offended. Cleansed and forgiven, such will regain righteousness. The leader who is to pray for the sick must also search himself, repent of every sin and ensure he too is righteous. Thereafter, their “effectual fervent prayer” will attract answer for healing. God has promised cure for all sincere seekers.
After the conditions for healing are fulfilled, “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”. When we are free from guilt or condemnation for any secret evils and our heart is pure towards God, our spouses, members of the church and all men, “then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight”.
• Further Reading (King James Version): James 5:13-20. James 5:13. James 5:13; Psalm 50:15; Jeremiah 33:3; James 5:14. James 5:15,16; Genesis 20:7,14,17; Job 22:22,23,27,28; Isaiah 58:8,9. James 5:15,16; Isaiah 57:18; Mark 11:22-26; 1 John 3:20-22.
