Week 20, Day 4: The Power of Prayer
Today’s Reading: Philemon 1:1-25; 1 Timothy 1:1-20
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
The book of James ends on a similar topic to what it started with: talking to God, or prayer. The last chapter of James emphasizes the power of prayer, and encourages us to use this valuable tool that God has blessed us with. James 5:13-18 certainly is not without controversy. I think that much of the controversy surrounding this passage is really without merit, though it does warrant some very thoughtful (and prayerful) study.
James encourages us to pray under various circumstances in this passage, and demonstrates the effectiveness or power of prayer through these circumstances. Is anyone suffering? Let him pray (James 5:13). Certainly “suffering” is a very broad term with many different applications. It has to do with undergoing hardships. So, if you are going through difficult times, whatever the conditions of that hardship, James encourages you to go to God in prayer. Obviously God can help under these circumstances, else James wouldn’t tell you to pray!
The controversial part for many people starts in verse 14. “Is anyone 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. “ This has been the subject of debate for a long time. Should we be doing this today? There have been many who have argued that this is applicable to spiritual sickness, and was only a symbolic custom of the day, and therefore we should not be doing it. Others argue that it was a part of the implementation of spiritual gifts, and was a part of miraculous healing. Most people have come to the conclusion that we don’t have to do these things today.
This is certainly not a thorough discussion of these verses, but I would like you to consider the possibility that this is a practice we can (and perhaps should) participate in today. First, this practice seems to entail the “curing” of both physical and spiritual sickness. Consider that in James 5:15, James speaks of raising up the one that is sick, AND if he hath committed sins they will be forgiven. Now, perhaps the sickness is only a spiritual weakness that does not involve sin. Certainly, one who is weak, or struggling with temptation (though not yet giving in to it) would classify in this category. This seems to be a possibility in verse 16, where confessing ones faults and praying for one another would lead to being “healed.” But, the possibility also exists that James is speaking in verse 15 about physical ailment. The language provides for that contrast to be present. So, the practice of “calling the elders” and letting them “pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” could have been conducted for one who was physically ill, or one who had some spiritual ailment. But, it is clear that the practice was done in the first century.
The question is, should it be brought forward to today? There is nothing in this passage that indicates that the practice was cultural in nature. James’ letter is one of the more “generic” letters in the New Testament in that it is not addressed to any one location. So, to conclude that this is “cultural practice” and nothing more is reading something into the passage. There is also nothing in the passage that indicates that this practice was tied to the implementation of spiritual gifts. In fact, as James gives the example of Elijah, he states that Elijah had a “nature like ours.” Elijah was given the ability to work miracles, but the example used by James is one in which Elijah asked God to do something, not an example where God worked a miracle through the hand of Elijah. The point seems to be that James wanted us to see Elijah as being a man just as we are, and he could pray and elicit powerful reaction and help from God. The same is true for us!
So, without some indication as to why this practice would be reserved solely for the first century, it must be assumed that the practice is a valid one today. Should we call for elders to pray over us if we have either a physical or spiritual ailment? Surely these men would be the best to petition God on our behalf! Certainly the practice of praying for one another is not in question. But, what about the practice of anointing with oil? There is no indication that this practice was to go by the wayside. Besides, what harm would be done by following the practice instituted by an inspired writer? Even if it was not a necessary practice, the condemnation of it as “unbiblical” is unfair to the text.
This seems to be a passage that many people spend more time finding a reason not to practice, than it would take to put into practice!
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One Comment »
Peni said :
May 29, 2009 at 6:22 am
A personal note … this discussion reminds me of ‘prayer meetings’ (too seldom) practiced. The elders in one church we’ve visited would cancel classes or call an extra hour of meeting for just prayers…when men would in turn address different needs with prayers to God before the congregation. It was a thrilling experience. We also well remember the Pittsburgh church convening in prayer for Wayne before/after heart surgeries. What could be more strengthening, helpful, hopeful than the prayers of the righteous?