James 5:15

Prayer of faith. See on chapter 1:6. Lack of faith is an obstacle to healing (see on Mark 6:5), as it is to salvation (see on Ephesians 2:8). A man of faith trusts the wisdom and love of God and seeks to “enter into and accomplish His purpose” (MH 231). Hence, the prayer of faith is the prayer offered in faith by the man who is distinguished by his faith.

Save. Greek sozo, “to rescue from destruction,” “to heal, to save.” The New Testament records instances of sudden and miraculous recovery to health (see Matthew 9:22; Mark 6:56; Acts 3:7; Acts 14:8-10). However, it is well to remember that not every man of faith and devotion to God has been restored to health (see on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; cf. MH 230). Accordingly, James may be understood as saying, “The prayer of faith shall restore the sick if the Lord deems it best for him.” Restoration to health in answer to prayer may be immediate or may be a gradual process. It may come about directly by a divine act that transcends man’s finite knowledge of natural law, or it may come about indirectly — and more gradually — by divine guidance in the application of natural remedies. The latter process is no less an answer to prayer than the former, and is as truly a manifestation of divine love, wisdom, and power. The mature Christian will recognize that God does not do for a man what he may do for himself or what others may do for him. The mature Christian will realize that divine love, and wisdom do not, at least as a rule, make supernatural provision for what can be accomplished by natural means, through the intelligent application of known scientific principles.

Sins. That is, most particularly, sins which may, at least in part, have caused the sickness (see on Mark 2:5). To be sincere the prayer must be accompanied by the confession of known sins and by the conscious purpose, untrammeled by reservations, to align the life with the will of God. When this is done the past departures from known principles of healthful living are freely forgiven on the basis of divine mercy and the sick man’s determination henceforth to live in harmony with known health principles (see on 1 John 1:9). God would be encouraging sin if He were to heal a man physically without willingness on the sick man’s part to forsake unhealthful, sinful practices (see MH 227).