Pray for the Sick

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. 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 5:15-16

Have you ever been in a situation when you could feel the prayers of others lifting you up? You could feel peace and comfort when there shouldn’t have been any. This verse is the reason. The Fervent prayer of a righteous man (this means human – male or female) avails much. This means that prayer gets things done!

Both of my parents have endured life-threatening illnesses. My dad has had cancer four times, including pancreatic cancer. My mom was in the hospital for three months from the effects of COVID. They both could testify to feeling the sustaining prayers of friends and family. Prayer mattered. It was the difference between life and death.

In both cases of my parent’s illnesses, there wasn’t a thing anyone could do after the surgeries and medicines but put it in God’s hands. A miracle was needed – something beyond what doctors could do. A prayer of faith was required.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The prayer of faith is praying what the Word of God says and believing His Word above what the circumstances tell us. It believes that 1 Peter 2:24 and Isaiah 53:5 are true – by Jesus’ stripes, we are healed!

We all know someone battling a sickness, disease, or pain in their body. Be faithful to pray for them as the Holy Spirit directs. Your prayers are more important than you think.

Dear Lord, I pray for those I know today suffering in their bodies or minds. I pray Your healing power to be present in their lives and that You would comfort them and give them peace. Amen.

July Resources:

Renew – Health: 31 days of scriptures and confessions about health.

Seek Him: Daily Bible Reading Plan, Devotional Guide, and Journal