Patience and Prayer

Reminder: July is Pray for South Dakota month.

Someone months and months ago had commented on their questionnaire that they wished we would offer anointing with oil and prayer, and I thought, but we do.

In fact, at the time I received that questionnaire we had just finished anointing with oil and praying over 2 different individuals.

And since then we have prayed over at least 2 others.

And as was demonstrated a few weeks ago, we did so over Scott before he went in for his heart surgery.

But after I received that questionnaire, I realized that most of you may not even be aware that we do offer prayer and anointing.

Then, I thought, how many people understand the biblical reasons for it and the proper practice of it?

There are a lot of misperceptions about what anointing with oil is and is not.

There are misperceptions about what a prayer offered in faith is and is not.

There are misperceptions about healing ministries and supernatural gifts.

And misperceptions on how sin affects all of that.

That got me thinking I should preach on James 5:13-16 at some point and hopefully lay out the biblical parameters for this kind of healing ministry, so that we as a church can be on the same page and be more proactive with it.

Which on a side note, if there is a topic you’d like me to preach on, please text me, or drop me a line.

Well, as I was praying this week over what to preach on, God brought all of this back to mind and so I decided that that was what I was going to cover this Sunday.

And then I started doing my study on James 5:13-16 and quickly realized there was a lot more going on in that text than I had previously thought and that the teaching found here is connected to other parts of James.

So that began my study and decision to make this a sermon series on Effective Prayer, based on James 5:7-18 with the key verse being 5:16, and of course we will cover this issue of anointing with oil and prayer in context of it all.

James 5:16 NASB95

...The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

As is typically the case, most abhorrent teaching comes from taking a passage out of context.

So hopefully, once we’re done with this series we’ll have a better grasp on what a healing ministry that James describes looks like.

So let’s dive in. Read James 5:7-18

James says, “In light of all that I’ve talked about in this letter to this point, what is our proper response to all of it?”

Therefore, Be Patient - vs 7

Patience is mentioned 4 times, waiting once, and enduring twice for a total of 7 times in the vss. 7-11

Therefore, Pray For One Another - vs 16

Various forms of praying are mentioned 7 times in vss. 13-18

Patience and Prayer - vs. 7, 16

Why are we being patient and praying?

James 5:10 NASB95

As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience...

James 5:13 NASB95

Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray...

Suffering - kakopatheia

to suffer misfortune or hardships.

implication: Not necessarily evil, but definitely bad.

leans toward external circumstances and hardships.

to suffer evil or affliction.

implication: Based on malicious intent from people

leans toward personal attacks by people.

So this closing exhortation is about handling the effects or results from both kinds of suffering.

And almost all kinds of suffering can be put into one of those two categories.

In fact, James starts his letter talking about trials and now he ends it with talking about suffering.

Like bookends.

Here is a list of of all the different types of sufferings that he covers in His letter.

the distress or affliction of widows and orphans (1:27)

judging one another (2:4, 4:11-12)

injustices like favoritism (2:1-5, 9) and

suffering at the hands of the rich (2:6-7; 5:1-6)

not helping the poor and needy (2:15-16)

verbal abuse (3:5-12)

demonic influences (3:14-16)

quarreling, speaking or complaining against each other (4:1-2, 11-12, 5:9)

He also deals with temptations, lusts, and friendship with the world (1:13-16; 4:1-5)

which of course cause their own kind of suffering within a person as well as harm caused others through those selfish actions.

With this in mind, it’s not ironic that the Greek word for patience here is often translated long-suffering.

Then James makes a connection between two different kinds of patience.

Patience and Endurance - vs 10-11

Patience - makrothumia -

to be long-suffering

the quality of a person who is able to avenge himself, yet refrains from doing so

this is patience in respect to people, patience when people are evil toward us.

it is associated with mercy and is used of God.

And vs. 11 brings up the compassion and mercy of God.

Which connects to earlier in his letter.

James 2:13 NASB95

For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

which itself connects to vs 9 about complaining against our fellow believers in Christ.

So instead of complaining about and seeking revenge for the injustices done to you, and that at the hand of other believers, give it to God and seek the compassion and mercies of God.

Compassion And Mercy - vs 11

Compassion - literally means abounding in bowels.

Carrying the thought of my gut hurts for you.

Maybe better in English - my heart aches for you.

God aches for us in our suffering.

Mercy - seeing someone who is suffering and having a desire to go and help alleviate that suffering.

A synonym of this word is the word sumpatheo - sympathy.

And this Greek words means to suffer with another.

God suffers with us and is being moved to help us in our suffering.

Hebrews 4:15–16 NASB95

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

sumpatheo

weakness - same word as in vs 14 - astheneia - sickness

But that doesn’t always mean taking away the suffering...

He’s going to strengthen us in it.

He’s going to motivate us to persevere through it.

He’s going to help us move beyond it.

Much like a birthing coach for a woman in labor.

You gotta go through the suffering to get to the baby.

Which is why Paul uses this thought about suffering in Romans

Romans 8:18 NASB95

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:22–23 NASB95

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

Our sufferings will birth something wonderful, just like labor births a baby.

Then wait in patience for Him to sort it all out, which He will do on Judgment Day. Reference to the judge in vs 9.

1 Peter 2:23 NASB95

and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

1 Peter 4:19 NIV84

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

And that mindset of continuing to do good is what connects to mercy as well.

As I just said about God, mercy is seeing someone who is suffering and having a desire to go and help alleviate that suffering.

Well, we are to imitate God even in our suffering.

I might not be able to do anything about my suffering, but I can still go and help someone else who is suffering.

Continue to bless others.

We recognize that in spite of our sufferings we have been blessed with the mercy and compassion of God and that we are blessed to be a blessing.

When we are shown mercy, we are to show mercy.

Matthew 5:7 NASB95

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Patience and Endurance - vs 10-11

Patience - makrothumia - patience with people.

Endurance - hupomone

it can also be translated as patience, but a different kind of patience.

perseverance or endurance or steadfastness

to remain under a burden

bearing up under pressure

that quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial.

this is patience as to things or circumstances.

it is associated with hope

James 1:4 NASB95

And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

vs 11 says - blessed are those who are endure.

James 1:12 NASB95

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

How Long Are We To Be Patient? - vs 7-8

Until The Coming of The Lord

Ties into the hope.

Philippians 1:6 NASB95

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:18 NASB95

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:25 NASB95

But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Romans 8:26 NASB95

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

weakness - same word astheneia - sickness in verse 14.

Romans 8:28–30 NASB95

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose...and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

One last verse of Hope

1 Peter 5:10 NASB95

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Patience and Prayer - vs 13

If Anyone Is Suffering? Then He Must Pray

General prayers - proseuchomai - vs 13

Embraces all that is included in the idea of prayer.

2 branches - requesting special things and thanksgiving

Prayers Of Suffering - vs 13

Prayers of suffering - lament - vs 13

connects to verse 10 and the suffering of prophets.

Lamentations - Jeremiah

Psalms of Lament - David

to suffer misfortune, to be in a sorry situation

to suffer affliction and endure evil

a spiritual burden of sorts

Requests for mercy - for relief from whatever our grievance is.

The first branch of general prayers.

Prayers Of Praise - vs 13

Cheerfulness - good mindset / attitude

the term can mean to be encouraged

a positive and hopeful attitude

It denotes a state of the emotions regardless of the circumstances.

since this is being put forth as the opposite of suffering, this would add the thought that at least some of the suffering being experienced is affecting one’s emotional state and mental health.

contextually, this could be translated, “Is anyone encouraged, in the midst of their circumstances, he should sing praises.”

Praises

Psallo - to touch lightly, or pluck.

Psalms

to play a stringed instrument or sing a hymn

the making of music in any fashion, generally.

And can be done with or without instruments.

And we see many psalms of lament that end in praise and thanksgiving.

So, in context, it seems to mean that there is power in singing praises when one is suffering.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NASB95

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

When we win we praise Him, when we lose we praise Him.

If times are good or if times are bad we pray.

We should be praising God as much as we are petitioning Him for relief from distresses.

always...without ceasing...in everything

Prayer and Praise needs to be a part of our regular daily lifestyle, which Scripturally includes thanksgiving.

Thank Him when things are going well, and thank Him when things are not.

Thanksgiving. The second branch of general prayers.

Conclusion:

This is the first contextual constraint that we are to consider about this passage on prayer, healing, and anointing with oil.

But, there are two other constraints we’ll look at through this series to really understand the fullness and richness of this text.

That being said, this is the first piece of what makes our prayers effective.

It’s our ability to have the right heart attitude in the midst of it all.

Even in lamenting, we are expressing the lament in faith and hope.

Faith in knowing that God can do something about it.

And the hope that He will.

And hope means to expectantly wait for.

So we expectantly wait for God to do something with our suffering, whether internal, external, physically or spiritually, God is going to do something.

So, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in, we are to be patient and pray, lean into God’s compassion and mercy, and then go and be compassionate and merciful to others, while remembering that He is doing a good work within us through our circumstances.

Thus enabling us with the ability to praise Him in and through the difficulty we find ourselves in.

Closing Song:

I Will Wait For You.