We jump back into James wrapping up his letter by reminding his readers and us to participate in God’s Work. The key to growth in love and trust is made possible through PRAYER.
Whatever our circumstances, James response is to PRAY!
Verse 13: James says, “Is anyone suffering?” Let him pray.
James doesn’t quality the kind or severity of suffering for that doesn’t matter. It also, doesn’t matter if it a little suffering or a lot of suffering…if suffering is involved then God is intimately concerned about us.
At times when suffering, we can be tempted to think God is absent or doesn’t care. This is COMPLETELY UNTRUE!! We need to run to God in prayer. James doesn’t outline any particular principles to live by for the suffering to be alleviated. He simply tells them to pray & communicate with our living God. Please notice James says pray & communicate…it is possible to pray without truly communicating and to communicate without true prayer.
James then ask in verse 13, “Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise!”
QUESTION: Why does James tackle being cheerful & happy?
ANSWER: When things are going good, we have a tendency to forget to give praise for the good God does. We need to remember to have an attitude of gratitude.
Vv 14-15: James know tackles if anyone is sick.
First, James shows in verse 15 that not all illness is caused from sin. James wants us to know that God is concerned with ALL those who are sick. It doesn’t matter if it is physical, spiritual, or caused by sin or not? What matters is that one of HIS CHILDREN is sick.
What is interesting in these two verses is James starts like in verse 13 & 14 by telling them to PRAY! However, when James reaches this portion he bring in others to pray over the sick also, Why?
QUESTION: Why do you think James specifies to call the elders of the church to pray over the sick?
ANSWER FROM OUR LESSON WRITER: The lesson writer gave the following view:
“It may be possible that the sick not only feel alienated from God but also from the church. Some people may believe their illness in some way indicates spiritual failure and that the church will withdraw from them”
MY RESPONSE: “Whoa to any church that would behave in that matter (i.e. saying illness indicates spiritual failure and withdrawing)”
Unfortunately, I am sure there are some churches that do behave in the above manner and we must pray for them.
QUESTION: Why does James call the elder’s prayer, “a prayer of faith”?
ANSWER: Once again, let’s look at our lesson writer’s answer for this question:
“The prayer of faith is one that hands ALL over to the Savior God, confident in His (God’s) character and purposes rather than counting on the strength of one’s own believing”
GOD SHOULD ALWAYS BE THE OBJECT OF OUR FAITH!!! Yet, we must realize this comes with maturity. Remember the book of James is teaching how to be spiritually mature.
One last thing the “prayer of faith” doesn’t mean ‘instant’ healing…even though God can do that if He so chooses. This prayer knows where one’s ultimate healing resides and it will be given but not on our terms but God’s!!!
We will finish James this coming week. See you then… 
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