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"Is anyone among you suffering?"

Text: James 5:13

A CALL TO PRAYER

James now turned his attention to the subject of prayer. A careful study of the text is of vital importance to avoid misunderstanding.

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
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.”
James 5:13-14

1. “Is anyone among you suffering”

a) The word “suffering” may be used to describe suffering of any kind (Illness or hardship).

b) Suffering is a problem that mankind must expect to experience in life.

2. “Let him pray”

a) This does not exclude other things he can and should attempt.

b) But he must certainly not miss out on seeking God in prayer when he is suffering.

3. “Is anyone cheerful”

a) It is a blessing to be cheerful.

b) It is natural to give thanks to God (Psalm 103).

4. “Let him sing psalms”

a) This was a suggestion by James.

b) Singing of psalms is a good expression.

5. “Is anyone among you sick”

a) Sickness may come to anyone.

b) Calling for the elders.

i) This is not to be seen as “alternative medicine”.

ii) It is the responsibility of the individual to seek appropriate treatment.

6. Understanding a difficult text

a) James 5:14 must be understood in the context of the first century.

b) There were apostles and other leaders who were given the special gift of healing.

c) It was not uncommon in those days to practise what James wrote about.

d) However, this was not meant to be understood as a medical mandate to heal the sick.