WHO DO YOU CALL WHEN YOU’RE SICK?
Today, when someone complains of an illness or pain. The first question they are asked is: “Have you called the doctor?” Yet, when James was writing his epistle, the first question would’ve been: “Have you called the elders of the church?”
Having available modern medicine, we forget the benefit of prayer and laying on of hands. Yet, the Bible says that having the elders in the church pray for you and anoint you is the proper response when you are sick. In our materialistic view of the world, we forget the spiritual component to health and wholeness. We forget that we are more than physical beings. However, real healing must involve the whole self.
The church has always been deeply involved with caring for the sick. Throughout history, wherever the church has gone, it has built hospitals because it recognizes the need to care for the whole self, to care for mind, body and soul.
So, keep calling the doctor, but don’t forget to have the elders of the church praying for you too. Prayer shouldn’t be our last call. It should be our first.
PRAYER: Dear Father, You are the Great Physician. You have made us and You are able to heal us. You have given us doctors and modern medicine. It is a wonderful gift. But You are the Giver of Life. And we look to You for all things. Heal us. Give us strength to serve You. In Jesus’ name, amen.