RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-01-18	The Fervent Prayer of a Righteous Man Avails Much (Ja.5:16)
		Jas 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Jas 5:14 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. Jas 5:15 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. Jas 5:16 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. James has placed much emphasis on prayer. As he closes his letter he brings it up again. James is known to be very practical in dealing with many situations in the Christian life. Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray (v.13). Is anyone among you sick? Call for the elders and let them pray (v.14). Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick (v.15). God, of course, is the source of all healing (Ex.15:26). The word for “sick” (v.14) refers to a grave illness. If a believer becomes critically ill, he should contact the elders who have spiritual oversight within the church (v.14). The context here is related to his teaching about healing and prayer. It directly follows his instruction to confess to one another and pray for one another for healing. James suggests that sometimes sickness is the result of unconfessed sin. He is not saying that every illness we experience is the consequence of sin, only that some ailments are rooted in sin. When this is the case, we are to confess our sins so that God will forgive us. James is not giving a blanket promise of healing. When it is God’s will to grant healing, the prayer offered in faith will heal the sick (v.15). In the event unconfessed sin is the reason for an illness, He wants believers to begin their prayer for healing with confession and repentance. Our sins, left unconfessed, can make us physically sick (Ps.32:3-5)! Only after receiving forgiveness will our prayer for healing be heard. The “righteous man” is the one who has been made right with God, knowing his sins are forgiven. The word “avails” has the idea of being able, or has the power. So the one who is forgiven, having a right standing with God, can pray a powerful prayer and receive results (Ps.34:15; 1Pe.3:12). Psa 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The Lord will not listen to those who regard sin in their hearts (Ps.66:18). Confession of and repentance from sin are preconditions for having the Lord’s ear. Successful prayer comes from believers who passionately desire to see God’s will worked out in their lives. James goes on to illustrate a powerful prayer by Elijah (v.17-18). Just like us, Elijah had human weaknesses and shortcomings. Elijah’s example challenges us today to pray according to God's will. When we are right with God, and our prayers agree with God's will, we can trust they will be answered (1Jn.5:14-15). We know this is true because, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”! Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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