What Should the Sick Do?

The Biblical Book of James concentrates on questions of daily living in God’s good creation.

The Book of James can be divided into two parts. Chapter 1 introduces Jesus and the wisdom He offers. And chapters 2-5 contain twelve teachings and an encouragement for perseverance in prayer.

James, in chapter 5 verse 13, advised that instead of complaining, or instead of murmuring against one another, or breaking out into curses, we should pray to God.

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We Must Pray

To the sick, James advised that instead of complaining, or “instead of murmuring against one another (James 5:9)” or breaking out into curses, we should pray to God.

James 5:13

James has the same advice for both the suffering and the cheerful: take it all to the Lord. In fact, the two commands could be reversed: sufferers should sing also, and the cheerful should also pray.

James encourages his readers to respond to all of the circumstance of their lives with prayer. That’s what people who trust God do. This is a consistent theme of James’s letter: a person’s actions prove what they really believe.

Prayer should become the natural response to any circumstance or state of mind for people living in a close trust relationship with their Heavenly Father.

If prayer doesn’t come naturally to us, James calls us to do it anyway. Whether it feels awkward or as normal as breathing, prayer is a key way that believers express their faith in God.

The word “pray” is in the present tense, and can actually be translated, “let him keep on praying.” Continual prayer is the antidote for a suffering believer. It reminds us that we are not in control and that God is. It also brings God’s resources into our circumstances.

In conclusion, consider the Daily Bread email message sent on 4/20/2009 and 10/21/2024 which says:

James 5:13 – Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. (NASB)
James encourages us to directly involve God in every aspect of our lives. God is our constant companion and we should respectfully acknowledge His presence and never snub or ignore Him.
DB James 5:13
James encourages us to directly involve God in every aspect of our lives. God is our constant companion and we should respectfully acknowledge His presence and never snub or ignore Him.
Prayer should become the natural response to any circumstance or state of mind for us living in a close trust relationship with our Father.
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