07/07/08

Praying over the sick

James 5:14 - Is any sick among you? 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 scripture is known to most people. But there is something that I want to highlight in this scripture that has been misunderstood by many.

The word that has been used here for 'sick' is 'astheneo' which also means 'be weak'. Most of us ask for prayers from our elders or others who have higher faith levels only when we are in an 'ICU' state. Please do not wait till you run out of all human options to ask for Devine intervention. Do not be ashamed to ask your own Father for small things via prayer or via other people, whose communication with Him is better.

Remember even the smallest of small thing you enjoy also comes from Him.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Father God, all life flows from You. You are also the source of my living. Father when I am down, hear my prayer. And if my prayer is not reaching You, hear the prayer of my brothers and sister who pray for me. I make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

James 5:14-15
14 Is any sick among you? 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:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Sirach 38:9 [Oxford Apocrypha]
9 My son, in thy sickness be not negligent: but pray unto the Lord, and he will make thee whole.

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