We All Need Healing
At one level or another, we all need healing. Physical ailments, relationships, emotional issues, even the sickness of the soul that comes from sin. As Christians, we know that prayer assists healing in all of these ways.
'Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. '
James 5:13-16
While the body can be healed solely through the power of prayer (I’m a living example), the term “anointing you with oil” is interpreted as meaning “seek the best medical attention possible”. In Biblical times, olive oil mixed with spices and herbs was a widely used medical agent. James is telling his readers to use natural means to help heal, while praying to God for a blessing.
Present day Christians should take heed of the advice of St. James, seeking medical attention for ailments while asking for prayer. We all know that we’ll “suffer hardships”, “be happy”, and “get sick”. Prayer — along with modern medicine — is a powerful tool to heal body, mind, and spirit.