Prayer and Maturity

Scripture:

Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.

Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord.
James 5:13-14


Observation:

According to definitions found in The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon, if we are experiencing hardship or any kind of problem (“suffering”) we are to pray. If we are in good spirits and/or courageous, we are to celebrate the praises of God in song - instrumentally, vocally, or both (“sing praises”). If we are weak, feeble, powerless, needy, poor, or sick, then we are to call the church leaders to come pray for us and anoint us with oil.

This begs the question, who is the church and who are her leaders? It is my belief that the “church” referred to here is a local assembly of Christians who gather for corporate worship. This may take many forms, including traditional American denominations as well as home church fellowships. I do NOT believe that this passage is referring to persons who claim they have a gift of healing (this is an entire study in and of itself). I believe that we are being instructed to call those with whom we have ongoing fellowship, who have shown evidence of spiritual maturity and as such are leaders in discipling, mentoring, and otherwise equipping the saints of God for service in His Kingdom.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, this is done in Jesus’ Name. It’s important to note that doing something “in Jesus’ Name” is not a matter of saying a phrase at the end of a prayer. It’s a matter of reflecting Jesus in everything we say and do, in the way we live our lives every day.

To sum this all up, prayer, praise and corporate prayer for healing are all more reasonable signs of spiritual growth then health, prosperity, or a lack of trouble in our lives.


Application:

One sign of spiritual maturity is that prayer is a first response to trouble. Another sign is that praise is a first response to tranquility, peace, and/or joy. And a third sign is a willingness to ask for prayer (and anointing with oil specifically from our local leadership) when sick or in need.


Prayer:

Father, teach me to pray!