March 20, 2025

March 20    James 5

Sickness and disease are unfortunately part of the world that we live in.  James 5 gives us a command to what we should do when we need healing.  Every Sunday the altar is open for those who need healing.  We keep oil at the altar for anointing.  The elders are always available to pray with those who are in need.  The element that is really important is that it says that if we are sick, we should call on the elders.  The sick person steps out in faith and asks for prayer and anointing.  

Asking for prayer is not always easy.  Sometimes we don't want to bother others with our own issues.  We think others have needs too, so I will keep my problems to myself.  Perhaps we don't want people to feel bad for us, so we keep it to ourselves.  But I think that asking for prayer shows two things.  It shows trust in God- we are seeking His help with an understanding that he is a healer.  It also shows humility because we are willing to admit our struggles and ask for others to lift us up in prayer. This should really be a completely normal and natural part of being a church- a family of believers who are called to encourage and pray for one another regularly.  But in reality, it can still be a challenge to seek help both from God for healing and from our fellow believers for prayer.  We often delay praying for healing- we think that we will give medicine, and time, and doctors a try first.  Often prayer for healing becomes a "last resort" of sorts.  Would we not be better off praying sooner rather than later?