We live in a world that is broken, both physically and spiritually. The world is riddled with sickness and pain. So many people are walking around spiritually lost, plagued by sin, and destined for a life apart from God. The good news, amidst all the brokenness, is that we serve a God who has the power to heal.
James reminds us of God’s power to heal in James chapter 5. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote, “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you” (verses 13-14). Do not miss the truth in this passage of Scripture that there is always a time to pray, whether we are sick, facing a hard time, or even happy. There is always a time to turn to God in prayer. This includes prayer for healing, whether we are seeking spiritual, physical, relational healing, or something else. Next, James explained what happens when we pray. He wrote, “Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven" (verse 16). In other words, when we pray, God moves. Why? He has the power to heal. He has the power to heal us in all areas: physically, spiritually, relationally, and beyond. Now, it is essential to remember that sometimes healing looks different from what we expect. Even when His healing looks different from what we expect, God is still moving and working. Sometimes the healing takes place in our minds instead of our physical bodies, and that in itself is a miracle. Sometimes a friendship is not restored, and the healing comes from new God-honoring relationships. Sometimes the healing is an eternity with Him in heaven, which every Christ follower will experience one day. Regardless of what the healing looks like, God has the power to heal.
My friend, we serve a God who has the power to heal. He has the power to heal in your own life. Will you turn to Him now and pray? Ask Him for His help and healing. Follow the example in James 5, where James wrote, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." Will you trust His power to work and heal in your own life?
In what area of your life are you in need of healing, whether spiritually, physically, relationally, or something else? Bring it before God today. Bring your need to God and ask Him to work. Ask Him for healing. As you pray, remember that you are praying to a God who has the power to heal.
1Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. 2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. 4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
7 Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!
10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.
13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
19 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
