Prayer that Saves the Sick

Is any sick among you? 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:14-15)

In Ephesians, Paul said to pray always with all prayer. The word “all” indicates there is more than one kind of prayer. They are not interchangeable. Each kind of prayer has a purpose, a function, and a specific context for use. Here, James mentioned the prayer of faith as one kind of prayer.

James said to let the sick call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The oil is not magical. You do not need oil from Jerusalem. You could use what is in your kitchen cabinet, and it would work just as well. The oil represents the Holy Ghost, the power of God, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.

When you anoint someone with oil, take the time to explain what it means. That explanation builds faith so the person can receive healing. Then you pray the prayer of faith, not the prayer of doubt. The prayer of faith is not “Lord, if it be Thy will.” That is not the prayer of faith. We know His will. His will is in the Word of God.

The prayer of faith is bold, specific, and grounded in what the Word says God has already done. The Greek word for “save” in this verse is sozo, the same word that covers salvation, healing, and deliverance all at once. What Jesus purchased on the cross includes the healing of the body. Pray like it.

Then James added something that many people would skim past. If he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Why mention sins in a passage about physical healing? Because the enemy uses condemnation as a barrier to receiving. More people than you would think sit in their sickness, believing they cannot be healed because of something they did. They have disqualified themselves in their own minds. But our prayers can help people get their thinking right about how God sees them. We can help them put on the breastplate of righteousness through our prayers.

Practical Application

Pray the prayer of faith and help people receive their healing.

Psalm 103:3; Isaiah 53:5