Problem Praying
James 5:13–20 Introduction
There are five types of problems in the life of every church which can only be answered by prevailing prayer. The apostle James not only knew and listed these problems, he knew and experienced the never-failing answers of prayer.
James was affectionately and traditionally known as “Camel Knees.” His life of prayer and the calluses on his knees earned him this nickname.
If you read through his epistle you will notice that some mention of prayer occurs in almost every chapter. The two members of the body which he talks about the most are:
(1) the tongue, which must be cleansed and controlled; and
(2) the knees, which must be bent in prayer.
Let us look at these five problems and their solutions:
I. The Emotional Problems – James 5:13
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms” (5:13).
The emotional life of a church is tremendously important. God intends that we should live an emotionally balanced life, and not one of extremes. Our individual joys or sorrows can affect the life of the whole church. James teaches that if there is affliction or sorrow it should be brought into the church and shared in prayer. On the other hand, if there is joy that, too, should be shared in praise. So whether it is praying or praising, both are part of the life of the church.
The answer to the emotional problem, therefore, is SHARING IN PRAYER, for we, as members of the church, are not isolated entities. No one can say, “I am not wanted,” or “I do not matter”; we are all an integral part of the church. If God is going to use us as a united body, the first lesson we must learn is that of sharing in prayer. As we share sorrows and joys in the sharing of prayer we will solve the emotional problems and the church will know an emotionally balanced life. Emotionally, we shall be on the victory side, instead of being utterly depressed, or over-exalted.
In this connection, let us remember that we are commanded to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2); and again: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15).
II. The Sickness Problems – James 5:14-15
Many times we Baptists are afraid to do what the Bibles says because we are afraid we will be labeled fanatics or tied to some group that we do not agree with. But notice the Bible says --- “Is any 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 sick, and the Lord will raise him up …” (5:14–15 Suffering and sickness can be caused by Satan and sin.
Sometimes sickness is for God’s glory. Paul, who had a “thorn in the flesh,” attributed it to the devil. He called it “… a messenger of Satan to buffet me …” (2 Cor. 12:7). It is true that it was allowed by the Lord that through the weakness of his body the power of Christ might rest upon him. Some sicknesses are caused directly through sin, as is evidenced by the physical condition of certain believers in the church at Corinth.
In the passage we use in our Lord’s Supper , having referred to their unworthy conduct, Paul adds, “For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep” (1 Cor. 11:30).
Sometimes the Lord allows sickness to prove and perfect His people, like Job. Addressing the devil, God said, “… Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth?” (Job 1:8). Remember that it was through the process of suffering that Job was proved and perfected.
At other times the Lord allows suffering in order to punish and purify. Concerning the immoral person who was found in the Corinthian church, Paul had to say, “Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor. 5:5). And then we are familiar with those words in Hebrews 12:6, 10: “… whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives … that we may be partakers of His holiness.” Old age often adds to physical troubles eventually.
Having said all this, it is clear from this passage that God basically intends healing for His people, and the key to such divine healing is CONFIDENCE IN PRAYER. Most of us do not value what is here because we are in the habit of asking everyone to pray for us and as far as the passage is concerned, we look at it as symbolic. That may be all that is needed but the formula is here.
First, there must be anointing. The sick person is to be anointed “… with oil in the name of the Lord” (5:14). This anointing must not be confused with the “extreme unction” employed by the Roman Catholics. They anoint because it is certain that a person is about to die, while the reason for the anointing in this instance is that the person is going to live.
Many expositors interpret the oil here as symbolizing applied medicine. On the other hand, there is the idea that this anointing is the outward expression of the power of the Holy Spirit. This in no way sets aside medical men or medicines. God works through these means just as much as He operates without them; we cannot set one against the other. What we have to accept is that ultimately God is the one who heals.
Next, there must be e praying. The elders of the church are exhorted to pray over the sick person and “… the prayer of faith will save the sick …” (5:1415). What is plain is that the responsibility of the elders is to pray in faith, believing that God will effect the desired healing. Such confidence in prayer never fails to be rewarded, for we read, “… the Lord will raise him up …” (5:15).
Third, there must be confessing. If the sick person has “… committed sins, he will be forgiven” (5:15). The implication here is that if sickness is the result of some sin, the wrong must be confessed and put right in order that the Lord might forgive the soul as well as restore the body. Confession should only be made as far as the sin is known.
Illustrate A Chinese woman with a bundle of dirty wash had taken it to the riverside for washing. But she was ashamed to open it for fear someone would see how dirty it was; so she just plunged the whole bundle into the water, jogged it up and down several times, and then took her laundry home. A lot of people are like that woman. They have many sins that need to be cleansed, but they are not willing to bring them out and confess them to God and if necessary to others one by one. They just say, “Lord, I am a sinner; forgive me.” So they cover up all their sins, their thefts, their lies, their jealousies, and their hatred. But they have to be brought out and confessed, and only then can they be cleansed.
Doubtless, there will be times in the case of physical sickness when the Lord will make it plain to those who pray that it is not His will that there should be immediate healing. When this is so then grace will be ministered to bear the suffering. Paul proved this when he implored God to remove his thorn in the flesh. instead, he was given grace to endure the suffering. As a result, his testimony is beautifully expressed: “… most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9).
So the physical problem of the church is answered by confidence in prayer. May God give us a new confidence, a new faith, in prayer.
III. The Personal Problems – James 5:16
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed …” (5:16). I believe that explicite confession should only be made as far as the sin is known. The healing mentioned here is not physical. It is rather the healing of disharmonies and divisions in the life of the church. God’s purpose for every local church is that it may enjoy “… the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). James maintains that there need be no disunity in the church if there is individually CONFESSION IN PRAYER.
This same truth was enunciated by our Lord Jesus when He said, “… if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, First be reconciled to your brother …” (Matt. 5:23–24).
IV. The Practical Problems – James 5:17-18
“Elijah … prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (5:17–18). James brings the prayer life of Elijah into this context to illustrate how “… The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (5:16). God had scourged his backsliding people with a drought, in answer to the prayer of a simple man, for Elijah was “… man with like passions or a nature like ours …” Then we read, “And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain … (5:17). Matters of practical and moral importance were affected by the earnest prayers of a righteous man.
The story, as told in 1 Kings 18:41–46, illustrates the need for CONSTANCY IN PRAYER. You remember that Elijah had to petition God seven times before the rain fell. When he started there was nothing in the heavens, but as he went on praying there appeared a little cloud out of the sea like a man’s hand. Then we read that “… the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain …” (1 Kings 18:45). When it comes to practical matters, God always tests our faith and constancy in prayer.
V. Finally -- The Outreach or evangelism Problems – James 5:19-20
“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who saves or turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (5:19–20). Although prayer is not specifically mentioned in these two verses it is quite obvious that James intends this problem to be linked with the power of prayer. The key word here is COMPASSION IN PRAYER. Only compassion in prayer will restore the erring brother, or convert the straying sinner.
1) The Erring Brother.
Let us ever remember Paul’s words, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). The required discernment, meekness, and tenderness for the ministry of restoration can come only through the power of prayer.
2) The Straying Sinner.
Let us recall what the Lord Jesus said about the Good Shepherd: “… If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?” (Matt. 18:12). Then, expressing His own compassion for the lost sheep, Jesus declared, “… other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16).
This is brought about by compassion in prayer, sends us out after the lost. It also burdens us for the lambs of the flock, that they should be fed and protected from the hungry wolves outside.
Illustrate It is said that
• Richard Baxter stained his study walls with his praying , and streams of living water poured forth carrying salvation to hundreds.
• David Brainerd so pleaded with God for the Indians of America that in the depths of the woods on the coldest winter mornings his clothes were wet and frozen with the perspiration that flowed from his body.
• George Whitefield, after prolonged prayer “went to the local fair, preached, and took more than a thousand souls out of the paw of the lion in a single day.”
Where, in our easy-going, pleasure-seeking, crime-rampant ‘present evil age’ are there mighty pleadings, and groanings, and sobs for dying souls? …”
We see that the key to the outreach problem is compassion in prayer. Until God fills us with Holy Spirit compassion, we shall never know how to travail for souls. God takes account of the tears of those who know how to weep in prayer.
Conclusion We have seen what is meant by problem praying. May we give ourselves to such praying in coming days.
By CovenantMedia
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