James 5:13-18: The Importance of Prayer (pt.

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March 26, 2007 by Paul S. Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? 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 will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. Introduction: James 5:13-18 can be a very difficult passage to understand. There are a number of questions that arise as we read through the passage. However, the main point of the passage is very clear. James is emphasizing the importance of prayer; he mentions it in every verse. As we make our way through this passage we will see 1) the importance of individual prayer, 2) the importance of community prayer, and finally 3) we will see the effectiveness of prayer. I. The Importance of Individual Prayer (v. 13) a. If you are suffering then pray. James begins this section on prayer by highlighting the importance of individual prayer. James asks, Is anyone among you suffering? The implied answer is yes. Throughout this entire letter we see suffering, and trials. There were people in the churches to whom James wrote that were suffering. (And what makes this passage so applicable is that people are still suffering. I am sure that there are people reading this blog who are suffering.) When James asked this question he was referring specifically to the inner experience of enduring difficult situations. In other words the frustration, the disappointment, the fear, the loneliness, or whatever you may struggle with when you are trying to endure. We have all been there, so we can relate first hand to what James is talking about. But what can we do about this suffering? James provides that answer when he says, then he must pray. Prayer is the answer. You have all been there. Your first reaction when something goes wrong is probably either anger or self-pity (neither of which accomplishes anything). But James is calling us to fight this initial urge by turning to God in prayer. When we are struggling with frustrations, or having a woe-is-me attitude we must trust that God is in control, and turn to Him in prayer. But what should we pray for? James does not tell us that specifically, but I think that we can make some assumptions. In 1:2-4 James tells us to consider a trial an occasion for joy because it builds up endurance within us. Thus, I think that we can safely assume that the prayer that James is talking about here is that we would be comforted by God in the midst of trials, and be able to see Gods work in the midst of trials. We can pray for God to change our situation, but it would be better if we prayed for the wisdom to understand how God was working through trials so that we could have joy in all situations. James talked specifically about this prayer for wisdom in 1:5:

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously and without reproach and it will be given to him. b. If you are cheerful then sing. James wants his readers to know that God is in control of all situations, good as well as bad. As we already saw when things are bad we are to pray. And as James continues we see that we are to sing praises when things are good. James writes, Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. This word translated as cheerful describes someone who is full of joy, not necessarily someone who is physically doing well. So in the first part of v. 13 we saw that we are to pray for comfort and joy in the midst of difficult situations. Here in the second part of v. 13 we see that when we have comfort and joy we are to sing praises to God for them. These songs of praise are a form of prayer. So whether it is in the midst of suffering or in times of joy we are to seek God out in prayer. Let me warn you of a practical matter with respect to James command. It will be easier to seek God out for comfort in midst of a difficult situation than it will be to praise God for giving you comfort. When things in our life are easy we tend to forget that God has made them that way for our good. James is reminding us that our joy is the result of Gods work in our life and we must praise God for that work. It is clear from v. 13 that we as individuals need to be people who are given to prayer. In the middle of your day you can bow before the Almighty Living God and pray to Him for encouragement. We must take advantage of this. In our everyday lives, in everyday situations, we need to be going to God in prayer. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:6 you must go into your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father

James 5:13-18: The Importance of Prayer (pt. 2)

March 28, 2007 by Paul S. II. The Importance of Community Prayer (vv. 14-16a) a. The example of community prayer. In addition to emphasizing the importance of individual prayer James also emphasizes the importance of praying as a community of believers. He does this by first giving us an example of a community in prayer (v. 14-15), and then by giving us two commands that we must keep in order to be a community in prayer. As we prepare to take a look at the example of a community in prayer I want to make a couple of observations. First, I want to acknowledge that this is a very difficult passage to completely understand. We will not exhaustively examine every detail of this passage. Second, it is important that we remember that this passage is all about prayer. So when James talks about healing through prayer the emphasis is not on the healing, but rather on the prayer. This example is used to show us a community that is in prayer for all things including physical health. This is why we are not going to drown ourselves in the details of this passage. It is important, for our purposes, that we focus on prayer. First lets look at the example as whole. James begins this example with another question; Is anyone among you is sick? Most likely James is talking about a pretty serious illness here. In fact, he uses the same word here that

the apostle Paul used to describe the illness that almost killed Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:26-27. Most people have never been that sick, however we can all understand sickness to one degree or another because we have all been sick. The question is how should we, as Christians, respond to being sick? James tells us that the one who is sick must first call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him. Here we see that it is important for us to involve our church family in our difficulties so that they can pray for us. Usually the tendency that we have is to remain very private with our problems. But this is not James advice. James makes it clear that we are to make our situation known to the Church so that they can support us in prayer. At this point James example gets some what complicated, and very difficult to grasp. After the elders pray over this sick person we find them, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; James goes on to say that the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. As I studied through this passage there were three big questions that stood out in my mind. First, what was this anointing and why were the elders doing it? A close study into this question will reveal that oil was used for medicinal purposes during NT times (Luke 10:24). The historian Josephus records that Herod the Great was bathed in warm olive oil as a possible cure for his last illness. So with this we see that the oil functioned as medicine. Additionally, the washing of ones head in oil symbolized an act of consecration to God. It is likely that James had some combination of the two in mind, and was emphasizing the use of medicine along with prayerful trust in God. The second question that stood out to me was, is James promising that a sick person will be healed in return for faith? James says that the prayer offered in faith by the elders will restore, or literally save, the sick person from his illness, and that the Lord will raise him up from his illness. In order to understand what James is talking about we must understand the nature of the faith that is exercised in prayer. The faith the elders had in their prayer was faith in the God who sovereignly accomplishes His will. Thus they prayed that this person would be healed from his illness with the understanding that ultimately Gods will was supreme. As we know from Scripture, and our own experience, it is not always Gods will to heal the sick. So then this prayer that James is talking about is just like the prayer that Jesus spoke of in John 14:14: If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. Thomas Watson commented on this verse that We are to pray in the name of Christ. To pray in the name of Christ , is not only to mention Christs name, but to pray in the hope and confidence of his name. The prayer of these elders was in step with the will of God, and thus God used their prayers to do His will. The third question that stood out to me was, why does James bring up sin and the forgiveness of sin in this example? James is probably addressing the possibility that this persons illness was due to some sin in his life. We know from the teaching of Jesus, and from examples like Job that a persons illness is not necessarily due to sin. However, this is a possibility. For instance, Paul warned the Corinthian church that if they sinfully took of the Lords Supper it would result in physical illness and possible death. So James is not ruling out the possibility that sin is the cause of an illness. But how does the sick person in this example gain forgiveness? The assumption on James part was that when this person went to the elders about his sickness he disclosed his entire situation, sin and all. Thus, if this hypothetical ill person did sin through confession and repentance forgiveness was granted to him.

Though this example may be confusing the main point is clear, the church needs to be a community of prayer. James gives two commands to further this point. b. The application of community prayer: confession & supplication. In these two commands James broadens the principles found in the example we just looked at to cover every member of the church, and every situation we may face. The first command is to confess your sins to one another. Just as in the example that James gave us we are to expose our problems, particularly our sins, to one another. Most of us spend our entire lives try to hide the sin that is in our hearts. We are scared to death that someone might find out who we really are on the inside. But James in essence says go ahead and let your brothers and sisters in Christ see who you really are. Let them see the sins that you struggle with, and call them on those days that you just dont feel like following Jesus. Not so they can spread rumors about you, or embarrass you. But so they can help you in your struggles. What a wonderful deterrent to sin and encouragement to follow Jesus confession is. Imagine struggling with you deepest darkest sin and having an entire community of people supporting you, and encouraging you. This is where the next command of v. 16 comes in. James commands that we pray for one another. James is calling for mutual prayer within the community of believers. Such mutual prayer implies that those who have heard the confession of another person are forgiving and willing to pray for that person rather than judge that person. We all must be involved in this type of forgiving prayer, but James does not limit our prayers to this situation. James simply says that we are to prayer for one another. When we see an illness as was the case in James example, hear a confession, or simply see another person struggling we are to pray for them. It is not just the elders who have this responsibility; it is every Christians responsibility. As we see in James example prayer can be a very powerful thing, and thus James adds that we must pray that you may be healed. James is not guaranteeing that prayer will heal someone who is sick, but he is also not eliminating the possibility that God can heal sickness. We should pray that those who are sick will be healed (through medicine, or other means). But we must pray within the will of God and understand that our prayers are only means to accomplishing His will. It is my opinion that the best prayer for someone who is ill is that they might be healed, but most importantly that they would have the wisdom to see how God is working through their illness for their good. Are you praying for the people around you? Are praying at all? If not you are neglecting a very powerful tool that God has made available to His people. III. The Effectiveness of Prayer (vv. 16b-18) a. The prayer that is able to accomplish much. Prayer is a powerful tool in the hands of a Christian because as James writes the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. To me this translation is a little confusing. I would probably render the Greek something like, in its work the prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. The idea is that when prayer is working, or doing its thing, it can accomplish much. This is because God has chosen to accomplish His will through our prayers. This truth can be mind boggling, but I think that we can grasp it by looking at another means that God uses to accomplish His will. In Romans 10:14-15 it says: How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, HOW

BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS! Who is it that saves a person? It is God of course. But here we see how God does it. God uses Christians who proclaim the good news about Jesus to call non-Christians to belief. It is not the Christian who saved the non-Christian, it is God. In the same way God gives us the privilege of working for His will through our prayers. God uses our prayers to accomplish His will. This is why our prayers are so powerful, because they have the power of God to accomplish His will behind them. b. The example of Elijahs prayer. James concludes his call to prayer will an OT illustration of the power of prayer. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. Elijah was just another human being just like all of us in this room, and God used the prayer of this human in a miraculous way. Every Christian has the access to this kind of effective prayer that Elijah displayed. We simply must pray within the will of God as Elijah did. In 1 Kings 18:37 we see Elijahs goal in praying for the draught, and we understand now how it fit within the will of God: Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again. Elijah prayed for the draught to reveal the deity of God alone to the people, and to reveal their evil idolatrous heart. Elijah did not pray for a new car or good woman to marry. His prayers were focused on the will of God being accomplished, and Gods glory being made known. By understanding Scripture we can know the will of God just as Elijah did. Thus we can pray appropriately for ourselves, and for one another. Whether it be making plans for life (4:15), persevering through suffering (5:10-11), facing an illness (v. 14), or seeking forgiveness (v. 16) we must seek God out in prayer. Conclusion: Let me close with one final piece of advice. As you go about your week I want you to examine how much time you spend in prayer, and compare it with how much time you spend with media (TV, internet, ipod, etc.). As you look at how you spend your time ask yourself it you are keeping James command to be people of prayer. If not it is probably because you do not understand how important, and how powerful prayer truly is.