Prayer and Promises

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. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. — James 5:14,15, NIV 

Ministry does not consist alone in preaching. Those minister who relieve the sick and suffering, helping the needy, speaking words of comfort to the desponding and those of little faith. Nigh and afar off, souls are weighed down by a sense of guilt. It is not hardship, toil, or poverty that lowers and degrades humanity. It is guilt, wrong-doing. This brings unrest and dissatisfaction. Jesus would have his children minister to sin-sick souls. Those that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak until they become strong. 

The Lord has debarred no one from ministering to others. “These signs shall follow them that believe,” he declared to his disciples. “In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” 

Why do we not present our sick and suffering before God in the arms of our faith? Why do we not teach them to believe in the great Healer? Why do we not lay hold of the promises, and bring the sick to God, praying for his healing power to be revealed? Why do we not plead the promise, “These signs shall follow them that believe”? This is the privilege of God’s children, and faith should lay hold of all that it is possible to have as an endorsement of faith. 

Christ’s promises are just as fresh and strong and trustworthy now as they were in the days of the apostles… But if the workers neglect to link themselves in divine connection with God, the electric current of reviving, life-giving spiritual energy can not flow in full, rich streams to the people. 

Bring your sick to God in faith. Humble your hearts before him, confessing your sins. Then pray earnestly, trustingly. You will see the practical working of God’s power… Christ made the promise, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” We need more of Christ’s wisdom. If we prayed in faith, and took God at his word, he would work for us… Why do we not lay hold of the promises, presenting them before God in living faith? 

Let us rely upon him who has promised to help us. 

— The Review and Herald, July 19, 1898 

I humbly bow before You, O Lord, lifting up those who are sick and suffering in the name of Jesus, let Your healing power be revealed. I confess my sin of not linking up in divine connection with You so that Your life-giving energy may flow out in ministry to others. I plead Your promise that “these signs will follow them that believe.” Help me speak words of comfort to those who are depressed and to those of little faith. I cling to Your promise that You are with me always, even to the end of the world!