The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 5:14-16, “Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to 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.”

Someone suffering from an old injury is been treated by a competent physician. The doctor, however, has ordered him to stay home from work and be faithful in taking the medicine he has been given. The medicine works; now, so does the man.

Things were quite different in the first century. The Apostle James faithfully instructs the church elders to pray over the one who is sick and anoint him with oil in the name of the LORD. James promises that the faithful prayer will restore the man to health. If the man’s sin is the root cause of his illness, faithful prayer will bring him healing, and he will also be forgiven of his sin.

The church is then instructed to confess other sins to the LORD, with the result being that their prayers will be answered and sins will be faithfully forgiven. Those who know the LORD and pray consistently will accomplish much in and through their lives.

All of the above is still true! Some church people are sick because of their own sinful indulgences. Confession of all known sin is the first step toward healing. Yes, we all need praying friends. At the same time, all healing comes directly from the LORD! He is the Captain of our salvation.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom