← All outlines

Outline 092 of 100 · James

The Prayer of Faith

James 5:13-16 — Confession, prayer, and healing within the community of grace

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

James closes his letter with a practical picture of the church as a community of grace: is anyone afflicted, let him pray; is anyone merry, let him sing psalms; is anyone sick, let the elders pray over him, anointing with oil in the name of the Lord. '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.' James then adds the striking instruction to 'confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed' — a call to a transparent, mutually supportive body rather than isolated, hidden struggle. The chapter's climax is Elijah, 'a man subject to like passions as we are,' whose fervent prayer moved heaven — proof that effective prayer flows not from spiritual elitism but from righteous standing granted by faith, exercised earnestly by ordinary, imperfect people.

  1. I. Prayer for every condition

    • Afflicted — let him pray
    • Merry — let him sing psalms
    • Sick — let him call for the elders

  2. II. The prayer of faith and forgiveness

    • Anointing with oil in the name of the Lord
    • The prayer of faith shall save the sick
    • If he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven

  3. III. Confession within community

    • Confess your faults one to another
    • Pray one for another
    • That ye may be healed

  4. IV. Elijah, a man like us

    • Subject to like passions as we are
    • Prayed earnestly it might not rain
    • The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much
The appeal

Whatever condition you find yourself in today — afflicted, sick, burdened by unconfessed sin — bring it into the light of prayer and confession within Christ's body. The same grace that heard Elijah is ready to hear you.

Key points

  • Prayer is the fitting response to every condition of life, from affliction to joy.
  • Confession and mutual prayer within community bring healing that isolation cannot.
  • Effective prayer flows from righteousness granted by faith, not spiritual perfection.

Key passages

  • James 5:13-15
  • James 5:16
  • James 5:17-18
  • 1 John 1:9