When we have some crisis in our life, we pray. Sometimes it doesn’t work and then we become discouraged. Then it feels to us as if our prayer does not go further than the ceiling. Then we want to know where the fault lies.

Sometimes people will say we don’t pray right. Some people will go so far as to say that there may be something wrong in our life that is preventing God from clearing the crisis that we’re facing.

The problem with these statements is that too much emphasis is placed on what the person does or doesn’t do. Answering prayer does not lie with man’s will, but precisely with the will of God.

Therefore, one must be careful not to read the following verse out of context: ¹⁵Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven—healed inside and out.

The context here is that when someone is sick, they should be taken to the elders where the person is prayed for and he or she is anointed with oil. This is what people must do physically.

The prayer must be accompanied by a lot of faith. When you pray with faith, you believe completely that God is able to bring healing. The verse does not say that faith will make the person well.

Even if it’s lots of faith. Even if everyone believes exactly that God can bring healing, without a doubt in sight, it is still no guarantee that the person will be healed. God is the One who can bring healing, not the strength of the faith or the earnestness of the prayer itself.

The prayer of faith is an unwavering trust that God can do it and that He will do the best for the person. Remember, God sees around the corner, He knows what will happen tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and within this vision of the future He will give us the best.

Go to the elders. Pray with lots and lots of faith. Leave the doubt at the door. Leave everything to God and His will. But here is another piece of advice. If there are sins in the pipe, confess them and God will forgive you.

When you pray in faith, you believe that God can. When you pray in faith, you hand over the responsibility to God and leave it in His hands. When you pray in faith, you already make peace with the outcome, whichever way it goes.

It’s not easy. It’s not easy to sit there and the outcome is not what you asked for. But this is part of praying in faith. Let Your will be done. Do as you see fit, Lord. I will find peace.

Yesterday, I was with a friend I’ve known since Sub A. His wife has cancer. I pray for them here in my room. I pray with faith. This prayer is difficult. But I keep praying, praying faithfully together …

Scripture
James 5:13-20

Reflection
How do you pray?
Who prays with you?
Can and do you want to leave the package in God’s hands?

Prayer
Father, You know my heart’s desire. You know my will. It’s not so easy to leave everything to Your will, Father. Please give me strength and wisdom to not only pray faithfully, but to leave everything in Your hands and will. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.