Question:
James 5:14-15 – How to apply this? After practising, do we believe God’s going to heal at His time when we don’t see results yet or just believe God has healed because the Bible says so.

“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.”
– James 5:14-15 (ESV)

James 5:14-15 gives practical instruction on praying for the sick, encouraging the involvement of church elders and the use of oil as a symbol of God’s power. But to fully understand what James means by this, it helps to look at the context of the passage and the overall message of the book.

The Context of James 5

The book of James is a letter written to Christians facing various trials and challenges. It emphasizes living out faith in practical ways, urging believers to let their actions reflect their beliefs. James repeatedly stresses the importance of patience, prayer, and trusting God in the midst of hardship.

In the immediate context of James 5, the apostle is writing about perseverance during suffering and the power of prayer. Just before the passage on praying for the sick, James calls believers to be patient and steadfast like farmers waiting for crops to grow (James 5:7-8). He encourages them to pray for one another and even gives Elijah as an example of the effectiveness of a righteous person’s prayer (James 5:16-18).

This focus on prayer and patience is key to understanding verses 14-15. James isn’t suggesting that we will always see immediate results when we pray, but that prayer is a powerful way to connect with God in times of need. Whether the healing is physical, emotional, or spiritual, we are called to trust God’s and his timing.

The Deeper Meaning of “Will Save”

Now that we have the context, let’s revisit the phrase “will save the one who is sick.” As mentioned earlier, this can refer to physical healing, but it can also include spiritual healing and restoration. In the book of James, there is a strong connection between prayer, faith, and healing. However, this healing does not always happen the way we expect or within our timeframe.

  1. Trust in God’s will: The phrase “will save” reflects God’s ability and willingness to heal, but it doesn’t mean He will always heal immediately or physically. James is pointing out that we should always seek God in prayer, trusting that He knows best how to respond to our needs.
  2. Holistic healing: James also links sickness to sin, saying that if the sick person has committed sins, they should also confess their sins. This shows that healing in this context can include both physical and spiritual restoration. God cares not only for our bodies but also for our souls, and the process of prayer and faith can lead to a deeper relationship with Him.
  3. Patience in suffering: Just as James encourages patience in other areas of life, we are also called to be patient when praying for healing. Healing may come in different forms, and God may choose to heal someone spiritually or emotionally rather than physically.

Applying the Passage Today

When we apply James 5:14-15 today, we are called to pray with faith and involve the church community in caring for those who are sick. This means calling on elders or other mature believers to pray and anoint the sick person with oil, trusting that God hears our prayers.

However, we should understand that healing is in God’s hands. It might come quickly, or it might take time. Sometimes, God allows illness or suffering to remain for reasons we don’t fully understand, but He promises to be with us in those times.

He also promises us that all our sicknesses in our body, soul and spirit, will only be gone for good, and will be in the new heaven and Earth (time to Come). In fact, all healing in this world is limited and temporary, as it does not guarantee that we will not suffer from those illnesses or injuries again, This can be understood, that as we get older, we will experience some level of discomfort as we get closer to the end of life. The only time we are promised permanent healing is in the next life, not this one.

Conclusion

In the book of James, prayer is a central theme, especially when it comes to dealing with suffering and sickness. James 5:14-15 encourages us to rely on God through prayer and to trust that He will act in His perfect timing. Whether the healing is physical, emotional, or spiritual, God’s plan is always for our good. We may not always see immediate results, but we can rest in the assurance that God is faithful to respond to our prayers, often in ways we might not expect.

By understanding the broader context of James and the emphasis on patience, perseverance, and faith, we can see that this passage calls us to trust in God’s ability to heal while leaving the outcome in His hands.

I pray this helps.