Prayer, Healing & Restoration

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Larry R Evans

Sabbath School Class Teacher

Introduction

Can you think of a better way of introducing this subject than by first reminding ourselves about the God who created us!  After all, we were created in His image (Gen. 1:26) and while that image has become blurred after generations of sin, we have been promised that restoration will come soon (1 Cor. 15:42-57).    The psalmist reminds us of the magnificence of our God.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.  Psalm 8:3-5 (NIV)

It is an honor to be in His presence and to be given such a place in His kingdom.  When we are in the midst of uncertainties,  suffering and anxiety it is easy to become nearsighted and forget that our God sees more than we do and has plans that exceed our limited perspective. 

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.” Isa. 55:8

By giving us the privilege of prayer God has invited us to enter into His domain.  We may have to go through all sorts of security measures to talk with the president of our country but with God we are asked to come as we are.  It is at this point that we begin our study of James 5.

Discussion Questions

1.            We should pray during times of trouble or suffering so that we might be delivered from the cause of our grief.  (James 5:10,13)  True or False?

2.            A person who is ill or troubled must have a spiritual desire to be healed/delivered before we pray for them? (James 5:14)  True or False?

3.            Prayer for healing may need to include praying for the healing of broken relationships. (James 5:16) True or False?

4.            The more in tune a person is with God the less sickness or trouble they will have to endure.  (James 5:10, 11, 17,18) True or False?

5.            The way to restore a person’s relationship with the Lord is by reminding them how they have hurt or offended you or their God. (James 5:19,20; Jn 8:43-45; 4:1-39; 8:1-11) True or False?

Into the Word

1.   We should pray during times of trouble or suffering so that we might be delivered from the cause of our grief.  (James 5:10,13)  True and  False

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. (James 5:10,11,13)

What do the words in verse 10 mean to you:  “as an example of patience in the face of suffering”?  Why do we need an example?  At times are to be an example to others?

Are Christians exempt from trouble? Jesus encouraged his disciples to face persecution boldly, ‘for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you’ (Matt. 5:12).  Why must we face our troubles, our hurts, our disappointments, our persecutions boldly?  Is there ever a time when we are not a witness to God’s grace?  Can that be so when we are hurting?  Does this suggest what we should include in our prayer requests?

It has been said that, “God is more interested in changing us than in changing our circumstances.”  Do you agree?  Why? 

2.   A person who is ill or troubled must have a spiritual desire to be healed/delivered before we pray for them? (James 5:14, Mark 6:12,13)  True and False

“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” – James 5:14

In many ways James’s letter follows the pattern of a typical Greek letter but he puts a Christian twist to it. Normally Greek letters ended with a wish, by the gods, that the recipients would be in good health.  In James’ letter he reminds the Christians of the provision God has made for their healing.

By calling the elders of the church to come and pray an assumption is made that there is a spiritual desire on the part of the recipient.  We do find the following statement in the book, The Ministry of Healing, p. 228.

     To those who desire prayer for their restoration to health, it should be made plain that the violation of God's law, either natural or spiritual, is sin, and that in order for them to receive His blessing, sin must be confessed and forsaken.  MH 228

This verse also reminds us that we are not alone.  We should be able to count on others for support and prayer, especially when they are sick and suffering.  Sometimes our members confuse prayer for the sick with the “last rites” of the Catholic church.  Gestures of kindness can be interpreted as omens of death.  That should not be the case!  It is interesting how we think we avoid Catholicism

3.   Prayer for healing may need to include praying for the healing of broken relationships. (James 5:16) True

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. – James 5:16

Mutual concern for one another is an important antidote for our own discouragement and downfall.  Here the Greek word for healing  (iaomai) is not for bodily healing but healing of the soul—to be restored from a a state of sin and condemnation.  The cure is in personal confession  and prayerful concern.

When he speaks of “a righteous person” he isn’t referring to “super saints” but rather to those who are wholeheartedly committed to God and sincerely seeking to do his will.

The Christian’s most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. The results are often greater than we thought were possible. Some people see prayer as a last resort to be tried when all else fails. This approach is backward. Prayer should come first. Because God’s power is infinitely greater than ours, it only makes sense to rely on it—especially because God encourages us to do so.

4.   The more in tune a person is with God the less sickness or trouble they will have to endure.  (James 5:10, 11, 17,18) False

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. – James 5:10

Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. – James 5:17-18

Verse 10 is linked to verses 7 and 8 that refer to enduring suffering with a purpose.  The thought is clear:  How we go through difficult times is an example to others.  We only have to pause long enough to think of Stephen’s words as he suffered from and died as a result of being stoned. (Acts 7:54-60).  His witness was recorded as being “full of the Holy Spirit”, confirming his faith that the risen Jesus was “standing at the right hand of God” and that he even had compassion for his persecutors, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

The fact that these prophets spoke in the name of the Lord is added to make clear that the suffering endured by them was a result not of wrongdoing, but specifically of their faithful adherence to the will of God.

Trouble and sickness come to all but how we respond can be a measure of our faith in God and His ultimate plan for us.

5.   The way to restore a person’s relationship with the Lord is by reminding them how they have hurt or offended you or their God. (James 5:19,20; Jn 8:43-45; 4:1-39; 8:1-11)  False

 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.—James 5:19,20

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. – Ecc 4:9,10

Throughout his letter James has addressed many problems such as sinful speech, disobedience, unconcern about others, worldliness, quarreling, arrogance.  But now he closes his letter not with rebukes but with an appeal to help those who have wandered from the truth in any of these ways.  In fact this is his purpose for writing in the first place. Those who have wandered away are the “sick ones” of the church family.

The Greek word here (planhqhvØ) suggests one who has missed his path and is hopelessly lost. “Planet” was taken from this Greek word to convey the idea that the luminaries were “wandering stars” (cf. Jude 13), not “fixed” like the rest.

In Reflection

James wrote as a concerned pastor and addressed his readers as “my brothers.”  He saw how divisiveness and falling away from the truth was leading to certain death.  While “sins” were a concern, the ultimate concern was what those “sins” were doing to both the individual and to the church.  While rebuking sins, James was also working to bring the wandering ones back to the church but he could not do it alone.  He invited others to reveal a loving and spiritual concern. Such is the compassionate counsel given by Ellen White:

If we wish to do good to souls, our success with these souls will be in proportion to their belief in our belief in, and appreciation of, them. Respect shown to the struggling human soul is the sure means through Christ Jesus of the restoration of the self-respect the man has lost. Our advancing ideas of what he may become are a help we cannot ourselves fully appreciate.--FE, 281