James 5:13-16 instructs Christians to pray for the sick. When someone is ill, elders should be called to pray over them and anoint them with oil, calling on the Lord. Prayer offered in faith will heal the sick and forgive any sins they have committed. Fervent, righteous prayer is powerful and effective. This passage does not indicate miraculous healing, as there is no evidence healing would be instant or complete. Rather than miracles, the focus is on the power of prayer and God's willingness to listen, understand our needs, and respond according to his will.

1. Why Pray for the Sick?
James 5:13-16

2. James 5:13-16

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him
pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
14 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. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the
sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he
has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and
pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man
avails much.

3. Introduction

Miracles had an important part of the early
church

To reveal truth

To confirm the truth

To show God agreed with the teaching


To guide the early church before the New
Testament was written and distributed
Many think that our text is talking about
miracles

4. Misunderstand what a miracle is

People use “miracles” in a broad sense today


Birth of a baby


Survive a car crash
Recovered from a serious illness
Miracles in the NT

Man could not accomplish on their own

They were instant

They were complete

5. Misunderstand what a miracle is

Man born lame – Acts 3:1-11


The healing was instantaneous

The healing was complete


There was no recovery period
There was no doubt this was a miracle
Acts 4:15-16 15 But when they had
commanded them to go aside out of the
council, they conferred among themselves, 16
saying, "What shall we do to these men? For,
indeed, that a notable miracle has been done
through them is evident to all who dwell in

6. Misunderstand what a miracle is

Raising of Tabitha (Dorcas) – Acts 9:36-42

The raising of Eutychus – Acts 20:9-12

Many others can be mentioned

7. James does not indicate a miracle

Prayer for the sick


God heard and answered our prayers

But this is not a miracle


When we pray for a loved one and they recover
It took rehabilitation, medication, time to heal
Call for the elders

Some elders in 1st century did have this power

But all Christians did not have all gifts

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

8. James does not indicate a miracle

Miracles in James 5?



There is no evidence for miracles here
The context is – The suffering should pray, the
happy should sing.
No miracle is needed for:

Forgiveness of sins

Cheering the discouraged

Supporting and encouraging the sick

9. The point of James 5:13-16

The Power of Prayer


Prayer requires faith, not doubt (James 1:6)


Prayer can accomplish much
We must trust that God will answer
Fervent Prayer of a Righteous Man (16)

Elijah was a man like we are

No miracle was needed – just some clouds

“It happened because God wanted it to happen.”

Of course He did.

10. The point of James 5:13-16


Ask according to His will
1 John 5:14-15 14 Now this is the confidence
that we have in Him, that if we ask anything
according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we
know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we
know that we have the petitions that we have
asked of Him.

11. The point of James 5:13-16



God Listens to our Prayers
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on
the righteous, And His ears are open to their
prayers; But the face of the Lord is against
those who do evil."
Listen – is more than hearing the words, it
involves understanding, compassion and
response

12. The point of James 5:13-16

Glorify God in your prayers

Pray for healing


Knowing that healing will be in God's will

Knowing that God's will must be done


Knowing that miracles by men have ended
Knowing that God can do great things in providence
Miracles have ended, but God has not
ceased to work in our lives

13. Conclusion





Too many lack faith in prayer
They seem to lack trust in the power of
prayer
They are not sure that God hears or
answers their prayers
If you are not confident in prayer – repent.
If you are not confident in prayer – Why are
you praying?