Even a low grade fever can just knock me off my feet. Something about that temperature spike and I just feel so tired and achy. Low grade fever, that will come and go – it is the bodies way of fighting off infection. But, sickness is another example of when we pray. We pray when we are in trouble, when we are happy, and when we are sick. This prayer takes a form of physical action, in obedience, and stepping out on faith.
Continuing in James 5, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” Well, the instructions seem pretty simple don’t they? We certainly just can accept it at face value – obey and pray. But, we can also look below the surface to better understand.
If we are sick, we are instructed to call for the elders. These leaders are to pray for our healing, asking God in agreement for healing. Then, anoint with oil is mentioned. I love how God uses ordinary oil for an extraordinary concept. Oil was seen as something of health in the ancient world. This oil that is mentioned, it’s just oil. I could use it to cook with as well as be prayed over. God uses the everyday object, and lets us see Him work extraordinary miracles and be associated with His blessing.
I think of how we might also act as oil for God. We can be ordinary objects which may pour out love on another, like an oil, and God can use this to create marvelous effects.
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