James 5:14-15 (KJV) “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. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up . . . .”

My mother told me of a miracle that happened in our family some years ago. My father was a young minister at the time and had been preaching on the topic of Divine Healing at the small church he pastored. It was during that time that my brother who was only 18 months old took a terrible cold. Over several months, it developed into either pneumonia or the flu. At that time, people didn't take their children to the doctor every time they coughed or sneezed.

Since my father had been preaching on Divine Healing they felt their faith was being tested. Some of the people of the church said, “If he takes his son to the doctor then that means he doesn't really believe what he has been preaching.” The other side said, “If he doesn't take his son to the doctor and if he dies, then they'll put him in jail.” Now you must consider that this church was located in a small country town in Georgia.

My parents saw my brother lose weight because he wouldn't eat so they decided to put him back on the bottle. They prayed and prayed for my brother, but he still didn't get any better and they began to feel that God had forsaken them.

One day my mother had to leave my brother and me with my father so she could take one of the members of the church on some errands. She said that while she was gone the Lord dealt with her on the verses of Scripture from the book of James that says, “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. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up . . . .” (James 5:14-15)

My mother said she couldn't wait to get back home to tell my father what the Lord had shown her. He immediately agreed and it came to his mind to call a retired faithful couple who had been the former pastor at the church he then pastored.

The elderly minister and his wife came to our house and anointed my brother with oil as the Word said to do in the book of James. When they prayed, God instantly healed my brother! It wasn't long after that that my brother’s appetite returned and he asked for something to eat.

Nearly 50 years have passed since that time when my brother was afflicted with what we assume was pneumonia and was literally dying. Today, my brother is a strong man of faith with a vital ministry of his own and a beautiful family. Praise God for healing my brother not only because he is very special to us, but because he tells the Good News everywhere he ministers that Jesus still has the power to save and to heal.

Yes, Jesus has the power not only to save us, but also to heal and deliver us out of every situation when we put our faith and trust in Him.

My parents put their FAITH into action that day and took God at His Word. They believed what He said would come to pass. Together, the four of them prayed the prayer of faith that day and my brother was instantly healed! Oh praise God for His healing power!

When we believe and have faith that is saying, “I've got confidence that God is going to see me through this situation.” That is faith! God is waiting on you to rise up and speak some words of faith! He delights in His children saying, “Father, I know You are going to help us in this situation!” He loves for His children to put their faith in Him knowing that He will take care of whatever they need.

You may have other situations other than sickness that you need God to come to the rescue for. There may be situations that you just don’t see a way out. There may be family situations that only God knows about and it is going to take a miracle for things to work out. Tell the Lord about those needs right now. Right there where you are, speak words of FAITH to the Father. Tell Him whatever is on your heart because He is there listening to your every word.

Are you living your life in FAITH or in DOUBT? Doubt says, “Well, I wish I could believe, but I’m afraid God might not come through for me.” The Word says that it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb. 11:6), and I want to please Him, don't you? Faith is something that we have when we don't know how things are going to work out but we just KNOW that God will see us through because we TRUST in Him.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” We must believe even when things look pretty hopeless. In verse 6 of that same chapter we’re told that God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. When we have the kind of faith that I’ve been talking about, God will reward you. Let FAITH rise up in your spirit and let it take hold no matter how hopeless things look right now. Let faith arise in you because God is a very real God and is there to hear your cry for help. (Ps. 72:12)

Today, I pray that as you go to God in prayer, you will believe Him for whatever you need and He will surely answer your earnest prayer. Be determined and say to yourself, “I will walk by faith from this day forward and I will trust God!”

Prayer:
Father, I come to You on behalf of my friends and family. Lord, we're all born with a measure of faith, but sometimes our faith waivers. I pray for those whose faith may be wavering and who might need a spark of hope. Show them the way Lord and help their faith to be strong and unbending. Help them to be as a reed that bends, but springs back through every wind and stormy gust. Father, I pray for unshakeable faith and for those who will stand and say, “I will trust in God because my faith holds like an anchor.” In Jesus’ Name. Amen.