Sermon Tone Analysis

Where does the Bible tell us to pray for healing?

James 5:13

What other promises might apply to prayer for healing?

Mark 11:24 Whatever you ask. . . the same terminology pray, faith and don’t doubt like in James 1 are used here.

Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer. . . the same terminology pray, faith and don’t doubt like in James 1 are used here.

John 14:13 Whatever you ask in my name

John 15:6-7 If you abide in me, ask whatever you wish

1 John 5:14 This is the confidence if we ask anything according to His will He hears us

Where are there examples of praying for healing?

2 Samuel 12:16-17 for his son with Bathsheba

Hezekiah 2 Kings 20 who got 15 more years

Healing from barrenness Genesis 15:2-6 Abraham and Sarah, 1 Samuel 1:9-20 Hannah, Luke 1:13 Zechariah and Elizabeth,

Where are examples of not praying for healing ?

1 Timothy 5:23 Timothy was sick and Paul told him to drink some wine

Luke 9:1-2, Luke 9:6 The twelve disciples were given power and authority over demons and to heal.

Luke 10:9 Jesus told the 70 to heal the sick.

The text of James 5:13-20, in particular verse 15 is clear.

The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.

Problem: Our experience differs from that.

There is no promise in the Bible that God will always heal.

There is no way to “believe harder.”

The prayer of faith isn’t greater than God.

Introduction

This passage is about prayer.

God is the healer.

Exodus 15:26, Luke 4:18, Matthew 14:14,

The issue of faith isn’t about believing if God can heal.

Everyone who believes in God believes He can heal.

1.

First condition: Suffering.

v. 13

First condition: In suffering, in trouble “suffering physical pain, hardship and distress” Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A

Response: Pray

Pray

2. Second condition: Cheerful v. 13

Second condition: Cheerful, happy “to be or to become encouraged and hence cheerful” Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A.

Response: Praise

Praise

3. Third condition: Sick v. 14

Third condition: Sick “to be sick and, as a result, in a state of weakness and incapacity” Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A

Responses:

A. Any person who is sick calls for elders v. 14

This isn’t the only way we are to deal with the sick.

It is one clear way.

Some have the gift of healing and they may or may not be elders.

We can pray for anyone, anytime.

This is a wide open invitation to the church.

“among you.”

It isn’t limited to age, spirituality, or circumstances.

B. Elders of the church v. 14

more than one

This isn’t instruction to someone who has the gift of healing. 1 Corinthians 12:9

This is quite a contrast to the “faith healers” who travel and put on a show of healing, often by one person.

C. Person confesses their sins v. 16

Healing isn’t more important to God than holiness.

Psalm 119:67, 71

D. Elders pray v. 14

This isn’t a command to pray the prayer of faith v. 15

E. For or over the sick person v. 15

F. Anoint with oil in the name of the Lord v. 15

This is not medicinal oil for healing v. 15

G.

If the elders pray the prayer of faith.

It isn’t alway prayed.

It is not faithful prayer, “Thy will be done,” whatever it is.

The prayer of faith is a guarantee of healing.

It is a humble prayer without doubting like James taught in praying for wisdom James 1:5-11.

It is confident prayer.

Mark 5:23-34 Woman healed of bleeding for twelve years.

Mark 10:46-52 Blind Bartimaeus, his faith healed him.

Lack of faith prevents miracles and healing.

Mark 6:1-6 Jesus did few healings in Nazareth due to the lack of faith.

Lame man in Lystra healed because Paul saw he had faith Acts 14:8-10.

It is the faith if the elders.

Acts 3:1-9 Peter and John gave them what they had, healing by their faith

H.

The person is saved.

σῴζω, healed.

(v.

15)

James uses the generic verb sodzo (swvzw = save), rather than a more specific term like therapeuo (qerapeuvw = heal), when he describes the result of the prayer of faith in the sick person’s life: literally, “…and the prayer of faith shall save the sick one.”

Sodzo was used to mean physical healing, as we see in the case of Lazarus (see Gk. of John 11.12), but we are more familiar with the term as connoting forgiveness, justification, sanctification and eternal life.

https://www.tmin.org/tminpages/ragbio.html

I.

The Lord lifts them up.

v. 15

cf.

Mark 1:31 Peter’s mother.)

Raised up is often used in the context of Jesus’ healings Mark 2:9-12; 9:27; Acts 3:7

J.

The person is forgiven of sins.

v. 15

cf.

Mark 2:1-12; Matthew 9:2-8; Luke 5:18-26 Jesus healed and forgave the paralytic lowered through a hole in the roof.)

4. How to pray the prayer of faith, pray without doubt

This is the same for how to pray the prayer of faith about anything.

A. There is no such thing as believing “hard enough.”

David E. O’Brien has well said, “But faith is like manna.

We can’t collect it.

God gives the faith we need when we need it.”

Today’s Handbook for Solving Bible difficulties (Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, 1990), p. 338.

B. Pray based upon God’s will. 1 John 5:14-15, Galatians 5:16-18.