Title: Healing in Community.

 

"Is any sick among you? 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." — James 5:14

Reflection: This verse is a gentle yet powerful reminder that healing—both physical and spiritual—is not meant to be pursued in isolation. God designed the Church not just as a place of worship, but as a living, breathing community of care. When James speaks of calling the elders to pray and anoint with oil, he’s pointing us toward a sacred act of unity, humility, and faith.

  The oil symbolizes consecration and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The prayer represents our dependence on God. And the act of calling others in reflects our need for one another. In a world that often tells us to “tough it out” alone, this passage invites us to lean into the grace of shared burdens and collective faith.

Application

- Don’t suffer in silence. Whether your pain is physical, emotional, or spiritual, reach out. Healing begins when we open up.

- Be the elder for someone else. You don’t need a title to pray over someone. Be available. Be present. Be faithful.

- Trust the process. Healing may not always come instantly, but every prayer is heard, and every act of faith draws us closer to the heart of God.

 Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of community and the power of prayer. Teach me to ask for help when I need it and to be a source of comfort for others. May Your healing flow through our hands, our words, and our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

©Dr Joel Olanrewaju, gbemide09@gmail.com. Please share your thoughts here and feel free to share this with your contacts.