Praying With The Sick Now (11.26.13)

James 5.15: "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."

We live in a time when many sick folks trust in modern medicine and science and reason, and humanity more than God (not to mention fate, fortune tellers, curanderos and "lady" luck and so on).

Yes, modern medicine and science and reason are all good, as far as they can take us.

Then when all these come up short, and material and human resources run out, perhaps sick folks and their families will consider a prayer in Jesus NAME.

We faithers are often prompted to offer our prayer of faith when we hear someone is sick. It's not our job to be nosy, or calculate when it's best to pray with them, but to offer to do it now. That's our faith in following the one who said we would do even greater miracles than him!

Then again, folks sometimes say- "No thank you." Or, "mayby some other time."

The word of God from the book of James says when someone we love is sick we are to call for local faithful folks and ask them to come to the sick person and pray.

Just make the call.

Now.

The bible here doesn't speak of waiting to call for prayer, or waiting to pray, until someone thinks the time is right. Or, waiting until someone is on his or her death bed. When someone is sick, the faithful are called to that person and that person is prayed with right away.

Or, think of it this way. If we are willing to do fifty things to address sickness, anything possible, exhaust all material and emotional resources, according to the advice and schedule of mere humans, why not also the thing God says to do?

Now.

Not just as a last resort, but as a first resort, and now.

The bible says make the call.

Before the funeral, before the cemetary, before there is an empty chair at the table.  

Peace and all manner of healing upon us all, in Jesus NAME.