James 5:15-20

Prayer that comes from faith will heal the sick, for the Lord will restore them to health. And if they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶ For this reason, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve. ¹⁷ Elijah was a person just like us. When he earnestly prayed that it wouldn’t rain, no rain fell for three and a half years. ¹⁸ He prayed again, God sent rain, and the earth produced its fruit. ¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if any of you wander from the truth and someone turns back the wanderer, ²⁰ recognize that whoever brings a sinner back from the wrong path will save them from death and will bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

Key Verse:

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve. —James 5:16

Commentary:

James reminds us that our physical and spiritual lives cannot be separated from one another. When we seek healing physically, we are reminded that God forgives us spiritually. Sometimes mental, emotional, or spiritual distress can cause physical problems in the body. The stress of hiding a sin or worrying constantly about what others might think if they find out about our sin leads to spiritual and physical misery and wreaks havoc on our bodies. Confessing to one another and seeking the help of others through prayer is one way we experience freedom and healing in Jesus. James reminds us that seeking prayer and forgiveness in community is powerful and transformative.

Questions to Discuss:

What does it mean when people say, “You are going to worry yourself sick”?

Why does hiding our sin make life more stressful?

What physical symptoms do you experience when you are stressed or worried?

How can confessing to others make you physically and spiritually healthier?