Pray in All Circumstances

Sometimes you may come to church wondering if the sermon is for you. Our text this week speaks to each of us.

Are you suffering?
Are you cheerful?
Are you sick?

The answer in every situation is to turn to God in prayer. Prayer is mentioned in each verse from James 5:13-18.

While the answer to the first two questions is simple (v. 13), the answer for the sick person is one of the most challenging texts in James. The sick person is to call for the elders who are to pray for him and anoint him with oil. The Roman Catholics use this text as the basis for their unbiblical sacrament of extreme unction for the dying. Some Pentecostals and charismatics use this as the basis for their belief that healing will always take place for those who have enough faith. Should we still call for the elders when we are sick? What is the significance of the oil? How should we explain when healing doesn't take place?