13)  Verses 13 through 16 deal with a call for prayer in all circumstances.  We should be praying in bad and in good times.  James instructs us to pray when we are in trouble.  This brings to the table a couple of issues.  If we are praying instead of reacting, we are walking in patience and faith, as we ought.  We should never be in despair or grumble in disgust.  Prayer will build patience in us as we wait in faith for God’s direction, deliverance, healing, etc.  We must know that God is faithful and merciful.  We can wait on Him for the answer.  We should also pray in the good times even by singing “songs of praise.”

14)  Sickness is another time when prayer is needed.  James gives detailed instructions.  The sick person should “call for the elders of the church.” (Ti. 1:5, 7; Acts 20:17, 28).  1 Peter 5:1-4 describes some of the work of the pastor to shepherd the flock of God’s elect.  The elders (or pastors) should be called in to pray for the sick person.  There is also an anointing with oil mentioned here.  Could this be medicinal rather than sacramental?  (Is. 1:6; Lk. 10:34) show that in Biblical times, oil was used for medicinal purposes.  Anointing is not usually used in relation to the sick except as a medicine.  This passage is focusing on prayer, and so, prayer and medicine should make the sick well. (Is. 38:1-8,21)

15)  Again the emphasis is on prayer, and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.  God can use the medicine to work a bodily healing as a result of prayer on the person’s behalf.  The Lord is able to raise him up and cause him to get up from his sick bed and function.  If it was sin that caused the sickness, maybe for disciplinary reasons, then he will be forgiven.  However, not all sickness is a result of sin, (IF he has sinned).  If the person has continually sinned to the point that God needs to allow sickness to discipline the individual, and then even his sin will be forgiven as that person calls for the elders in acknowledgement of the need for God.

16)  Since this recognition of sin and confession along with the prayer of faith brings about healing, then we should confess our sins one to another and pray for each other.  This is not an area reserved only for the elders of the church, but we should pray for each other.  If brother sins against brother, they should confess this sin to each other and pray for each other.  The result will be a forgiveness of the sin by God and by each other.  As well, if there is sickness as a result they will also be healed.  Prayer is powerful and effective.  As we confess our sins and walk in forgiveness, we should also be assured that our prayers are effective and will yield results such as healing of the sick

17-18)   James gives us an illustration that prayer is effective and powerful.  He also makes a point to say that Elijah was a man just like us.  He was not a supernatural being or anything more than we are.  However, he does give us two characteristics about Elijah that we need to notice … a) he was a righteous man and b) he prayed earnestly.  We have the righteousness of God and so should fulfill the first characteristic.  So we need to make sure our righteous standing with God is not interrupted and then pray earnestly, and we too should experience effective praying.  (see 1 Kings 17:1, 18:42-45 for the Elijah incident).  Extraordinary answers to prayer are within the reach of every believer. 

19-20)   James now addresses the brothers again as a final thought.  If someone among you strays from the truth, is a troublesome expression.  However, he notes that one should turn him back to the Lord.  This will save his soul from death.  Here I believe James is talking about spiritual death because he is dealing with the soul.  A person can stray from the truth.  It may be difficult to come back, but a believer can lead that person back and in doing so a multitude of his sins are covered.  Considering that a person who strays must commit a multitude of sin in his rebellious action, it is comforting that he can be forgiven.   It can be argued what the spiritual condition of that person was before they strayed.  Each denomination has their official stand and each individual has their opinion.  The point is that there is forgiveness and we should make every attempt to steer a straying church member back to a right relationship with God.  (see Heb. 6:4-8).