James brings us full circle as he concludes his letter. Asking God for wisdom began this missive (1:5) and now, after extensive advice on how to practically live out our faith, James concludes by reminding us of the importance of prayer. In the film Shadowlands, CS Lewis reflected that, ‘It doesn’t change God; it changes me.’ Without drawing on this untapped resource, without depending on the power of God, our desire to resist temptation, to live generously and grow in wisdom will inevitably fail. 

Prayer acknowledges our fragility and an intimacy with God that reaches out in our suffering and rejoices with him in our gladness (v 13). It can feel safer to pray alone, and yet being prayed for by our leaders (v 14), praying with others and confessing our sins together (v 16) recognise that we are part of a community of faith, caring for each other, believing that prayer is ‘powerful and effective’ (v 16). 

Being reminded of Elijah, who patiently persevered in prayer (vs 17,18),* encourages us that sharing our own stories of prayer strengthens our faith and deepens our dependence on God. Together, let’s make prayer a habit, one that reaches out to an immutable, dependable, powerful God – a habit which transforms us and our communities. 

* 1Kings 17:1; 18:43–45

Lord Jesus, we come to you today recognising that you are God and that our only response to you is to acknowledge your greatness and our humanness. 

Our final passage focuses on the topic of prayer, particularly prayer in times of sickness. The problem of sickness is an omnipresent reality and James is clear that the only approach to be taken is to pray and, where necessary, to call others to pray. These prayers, offered in faith, says James, will lead to healing (v 15) as will the confession of sin (v 16). James supports this teaching with the example of Elijah who ‘prayed earnestly’ (v 17), highlighting persistence in prayer. 

This seems straightforward, but we know it is not quite as simple. I am sure we can all recite examples in which James’ instructions have been followed but the person being prayed for has not received that healing. Great sensitivity, therefore, needs to be exercised in applying this passage. First, not all sickness is the result of sin¹ and not all sin leads to sickness. Second, our prayers are always heard but, difficult as it may be to accept, God does not always remove sickness.² God is not our puppet who will respond every time we pull the strings. 

Prayer and healing are mysteries and none of us can provide an adequate answer to why some do not receive healing. The Western world, at least, places a high premium on eliminating anything that causes even the mildest discomfort – while at the same time some of our brothers and sisters elsewhere in the world face struggles on a daily basis that we, in the West, cannot imagine. Perhaps we need to develop a theology that allows for suffering and not just healing. Even as we do this, we can take heart that there will come a time when we will no longer require a theology of suffering or healing, because there will be no more pain, crying or death.³

What steps would help you to develop a theology of suffering and of healing? How might we help our communities to develop such theology?

¹ See John 9:1–3  ² Eg Paul in 2 Cor 12:7–10  ³ Rev 21:4