The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 5:13-16, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises.

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

There are many ways to suffer. One may be suffering physically; another may be suffering emotionally. Prayer is the answer to both. There is nothing to be compared with prayer to the LORD –prayer for help from the Great Physician.

Once prayer to the LORD has delivered us from suffering, our anxiety is gone and we are naturally cheerful. We then have increased courage, and sing praises to the LORD, Who has delivered us. If our suffering is due to sickness, we are to call for the leading men of the Church to pray for us “anointing as a means of healing…” There are no limits that can be set on the power of prayer. It is the channel through which the strength and grace of God flows.

Tennyson wrote, “More thing are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” Prayer is the believer’s first line of defense against all matters of spiritual and physical concern. We ought always turn first to Him. He may then directs to another for assistance. It was Luke the physican who travelled with the Apostel Paul. Surely, he would not have been mentioned as a physician, except that he ministered helpful healing among others who likewise believed upon Jesus. To say that the LORD does not use others and that He does not commend those whom He has called to the medical field, is to deny their faith that He has indeed called them to it.

Oil was frequently used in healings in New Testament days. Yet, James notes that it was “…the prayer offered in faith (that) will restore the one who is sick…the LORD will raise him up….” Thus, whatever sources may be utilized for whatever ailments one may have, the LORD is to be the primary One upon whom we are to rely.

Sufferings are often the result of our sin. Thus, James advocates our confession of our sins and the offering of prayer for others’ healings. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Note that there are two elements that constitute the fulfillment of prayerful requests: one is that we be righteous. We must be emptied of sin. God does not hear the feeble prayers of unrighteous people. Another element of effective prayer is that we must believe as we pray. Still another element of prayer is that we must be genuinely concerned for others. It must be forceful, energetic prayer (???????, energeo). All too often, our most energetic praying is offered for ourselves and our needs. We must be concerned and show it toward others.

There is no situation where the prayer of a righteous person is uneffective. God always answers prayer! Sometimes, He says, “No.” Sometimes, He says, “Yes.” And sometimes, He says, “Wait.” Patience, therefore, is always required as we pray. Has this helped your praying? Sometimes we pray, but ask wrongly. It’s not the words we use, it’s the clean and earnest heart we possess when we ask the LORD’s intervention.

We endeavor to pray for you and for those who are under your care,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”