MEETING SPECIAL NEEDS
This is a subject I have heard very few preah on.
James 5:13-14 says; "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."
When James talks about the elders it is translated to the older people in your
church cngregation.
But it can also mean those who have authority in your congregation.
The elders are responsible for pastoral supervision and spiritual leaders.
Some say the oil was medicine.
What James is talking about the healing power of the Holy Spirit.
God wants us to use doctors and medicines along with the praying over the sick.
When you are prayed over and then go to the doctor doesn't necessarily showing
a lack of faith.
Luke 10:34 says; "So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil
and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an Inn, and took
care of him."
In this case the oil was used as a medication.
James 5:15 says; "And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will
raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
The faithful prayers of the elders and the use of the oil in the name of the Lord will
bring about the healing, if it is the Lords will.
James 5:16 says; "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one
another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous
man avails much."
James is saying that fervent prayer is a powerful tool in healing.
James is also saying that the ones praying over should not be committing sins
and should ask for forgiveness and then pray over the sick.
Fervant prayer means to pray earnestly.
The fervant prayer brings excellant results.
Whether the healing is done by medicine or miraculously it is God who does the
healings and we must praise Him for all healings.
Matthew 9: 2 says; "Then behold they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son be of good cheer
your sins are forgiven."
Jesus forgave the paralytic and he was healed at the same time because of their
faith.
James is saying that you don't have to confess your sins to the elders but if you
are going to pray over someone you should ask for forgiveness first.
But that sometimes the sin is what has caused the illness in this case it would
be better to confess your sins and then ask for a healing.
The scriptures I used in this word are; 1Kings 18:41-46
1Timothy
3: 1 & 5:17
Titus 1: 5-9
Luke
10: 34
James
4:3 & 5: 13-18
Matthew 9: 1-7
John 9: 1-3
My prayer is that who ever reads these words, that the Lord gave me, will be
encouraged that all needs in your life will be met through Jesus Christ out
Lord and Savior. Read the scriptures that I used for this word. There
are
more scriptures look for them and get to know God more.
God bless you and your family, may the Lord keep you close to Him.
PRAISE GOD THE FATHER, JESUS OUR SAVIOR, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
THAT LIVES WITHIN ALL CHRISTIANS.
