Jim Cymbala, the insightful author of Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, once articulated a profound truth about our spiritual journey: “The great battle of our spiritual lives is ‘Will you believe?’ It is not, ‘Will you try harder?’ or ‘Can you make yourself worthy?’ It is squarely a matter of believing that God will do what only he can do.” This principle resonates deeply when we consider the often-misunderstood concept of the “prayer of faith,” especially as described in the book of James.
James concludes his letter with practical guidance for believers, including this powerful passage:
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? 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 will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:13–16 ESV)
This passage introduces the unique phrase “prayer of faith,” used only this once in the Bible. However, the interpretation of this phrase has led to some common, yet ultimately flawed, understandings, particularly concerning why prayer doesn’t always result in the immediate physical healing we might expect or desire.
Misconceptions About the Prayer of Faith
One common misconception is that the “prayer of faith” is a prayer filled with unwavering certainty, a demand made upon God with absolute assurance of a specific outcome. This view suggests that if healing doesn’t occur, it must be due to a deficiency in the faith of the person praying. This interpretation places a heavy burden on the individual, adding guilt and self-doubt to their existing suffering. Instead of finding comfort and hope in prayer, they are left questioning the validity of their own faith, compounding their initial distress. This understanding misrepresents the nature of prayer as a humble appeal to God, not a forceful command.
Another misunderstanding equates the prayer of faith with a forceful declaration or command directed at the sickness itself, rather than a conversation with God. Phrases like “I rebuke this sickness in Jesus’ name and command it to leave your body!” exemplify this approach. While there are instances in the New Testament where Jesus and the apostles addressed ailments directly, James is explicitly talking about prayer – a communication with God. This distinction is crucial. Prayer, by definition, is relational, an act of dependence and trust in God, not a formulaic incantation to manipulate outcomes. Focusing solely on commanding the sickness can overshadow the vital element of seeking God’s will and acknowledging His sovereignty in the healing process.
Biblical Examples: Why Doesn’t God Always Heal as Expected?
Perhaps the most compelling reason to question the guaranteed healing interpretation of the prayer of faith comes from observing biblical examples and the experiences of faithful individuals. The Apostle Paul, for instance, a man of immense faith and power, provides a poignant counter-example. In his letter to Timothy, Paul mentions leaving Trophimus, a trusted companion, in Miletus because he was ill and needed to recover. Instead of simply instructing Timothy to offer a “prayer of faith,” Paul advised Timothy to take medicinal steps for his own health (1 Timothy 5:23). This practical advice from Paul, the apostle of faith, highlights that prayer and faith are not always intended to supersede practical wisdom and medical care.
Furthermore, Paul himself pleaded with God repeatedly for healing from a personal “thorn in the flesh.” Despite his earnest prayers and undeniable faith, his request was not granted in the way he desired. God’s response, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9), reveals a deeper purpose beyond physical healing. These examples demonstrate that even the most faithful individuals may not receive the specific healing they pray for, prompting us to consider why God doesn’t always answer prayers for healing in the affirmative.
The Wisdom Behind Unanswered Prayers
Tim Keller offered a profound insight into the potential implications of guaranteed answered prayer. He posited that if God were to grant every sincere, well-intentioned, and faith-filled request without fail, it might actually be detrimental. Keller argued that if such a guarantee existed, wise individuals might cease praying altogether, fearing the unforeseen and potentially harmful consequences of their own limited perspective. How often do we, in our limited understanding, believe we know what is best for us, only to realize later that our desires could have led us down a destructive path?
Life is replete with moments where, in retrospect, we are grateful for prayers that were not answered in the way we initially hoped. These experiences teach us that God’s wisdom and perspective are infinitely greater than our own. Sometimes, what appears to us as unanswered prayer is actually divine protection, redirection, or an invitation to a deeper, more profound blessing. This doesn’t negate the power of prayer, but it reframes our understanding of why prayer doesn’t always yield the outcomes we anticipate.
Beyond Physical Healing: A Deeper Salvation
James’s use of the Greek word sozei in verse 15, often translated as “save,” further illuminates the multifaceted nature of the prayer of faith. Sozei is frequently used in the New Testament to denote spiritual salvation. Intriguingly, in verse 16, James connects healing with the forgiveness of sins, stating, “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” This linkage suggests a deeper understanding of healing that transcends the purely physical realm.
James subtly points to the intrinsic connection between sickness and sin. While not implying that every illness is a direct consequence of personal sin, he alludes to the broader reality that sickness, in its essence, is a manifestation of the brokenness introduced into the world through sin – the original curse. Therefore, true and lasting healing is not merely the restoration of physical health, but the comprehensive healing of the soul – salvation. If God uses sickness as a pathway to bring about spiritual awakening, repentance, and ultimately, salvation, then He is orchestrating a far more profound and eternal healing than we might initially request in our prayers for physical restoration. This perspective helps us understand why God doesn’t always prioritize immediate physical healing, but often works towards a more complete spiritual restoration.
Faith in the God of All Outcomes
Ultimately, the prayer of faith is not a formula for guaranteed physical healing, but a heartfelt request to a loving and sovereign God. It is an act of bold petition, acknowledging God’s power and goodness, while simultaneously surrendering to His perfect will and timing. As Jen Wilkin so eloquently stated, “The prayer of faith is a faith not in a particular outcome, but in the God of all outcomes.”
The power of prayer lies not in manipulating God to fulfill our desires, but in aligning our hearts with His, trusting that He is working all things together for our ultimate good, even when we don’t understand why our prayers seem unanswered in the way we expect. Whether healing comes in this life or in the life to come, whether it is physical or spiritual, the prayer of faith is anchored in the unwavering belief in the God who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.
