When They are Sick

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. (James 5:14)

Healing Father,

I pray these children will reach out to their church family when they are sick. May they not be so private in their suffering that they do not call upon others, call on the church leaders, to pray over them. May they have a deep belief in the power of prayer such that they call on it often, and though they certainly can approach you directly, it was your intent that people pray for each other in community.

You do not promise healing indefinitely as this is still a fallen world in which all will die eventually. But you do heal within your own wisdom. May these children trust that you know best what should be the ultimate outcome of sickness and may they accept in faith, when your answer is "no", that your ways are higher than our ways and that your wisdom is greater than ours. May they also always see the "ultimate outcome" from an eternal perspective and remember that, compared to eternity, the trials and sickness of this life pale in comparison.

Amen