INTERCESSORY PRAYER

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:1-4).

Devotion 13 of 17

THE PRAYER OF FAITH

Some aspects of kingdom life are especially subject to Satanic attack. Intercessory prayer is one of them. James provided some instruction that has long been debated by professed followers of Christ. The reason for the disagreement is apparent inconsistent results realized in following the divine prescription. A brief review of this passage will assist us in appreciating the role of the intercessor. "Is any sick among you? 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. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:14-20). There is not the slightest indication in this passage that James is directing the sick to call for men with miraculous powers to heal. Were this the case, it would be superfluous to outline a procedure to be followed. Observe that the afflicted person is to initiate the request. He is not to call for the miracle workers of the church, but the "elders of the church." That is one thing the churches had in common. What is more, "elders" were not noted for their miraculous powers, but for their oversight (Acts 20:28). The elders were simply to pray over the afflicted, anointing the infirm with oil. The oil was to the prayer what water is to baptism; an appointed means through which divine working is realized. Some have supposed that the oil was medicinal, allowing for the correction of the disorder in the infirm. However, James clearly states that "the prayer of faith" saved the sick, not the healing properties of the oil. The NIV says, "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well." That is effective intercession! Some may argue that this promise is no longer applicable to believers. However, there is no support for this supposition in Scripture--and if it were true, it would be undergirded by the Word of God. Not only so, Elijah, a person like us, is noted as an example of effective praying. The "catch" is found in the words, "the prayer of faith." This is a prayer that is prayed in cognizance of the will of God. It is seeing what the Father is doing, and praying in accord with it (John 5:19). This type of prayer cannot be prayed at will. It is dependent upon our fellowship with God, not our words. It relies upon divine fellowship, not the exertion of superhuman energy or the ability by the one praying. Whatever you may think of this passage--and you should have some thoughts about it-- receive this. God will always honor the prayer of faith. That is the prayer of an effective intercessor: one individual praying for another. Also, God will not violate His nature in deference to the will of a man. You should be encouraged by this passage to press close to the Lord--to seek to be used by Him to correct situations that are correctable. The issue in this text is not whether or not you believe in healing, but whether or not you have prayed the prayer of faith! God has gone on record; "the prayer of faith shall save the sick." That is God, relying on the prayers of those close to Him to accomplish purpose.