Read: James 5:14

In his third snappy encouragement, James ask people with illnesses to ask the church leadership to enact a prayer/healing ritual, and to ask God for healing.

You know when drug company test drugs, they typically give the real drug to half the testers, and a fake drug to the other half and compare the results.

If the drug is effective, typically many of the group that got real drugs show improvement. But typically, a portion of the fake drug group would also get better. This is called the placebo effect where some of the fake drug people get better simply because think they are getting help.

What the placebo effect demonstrates is the human body's amazing ability to heal itself. Our ability to think positively about our bodies make all the difference to our health and the effectiveness of medical treatments.

James says one say to trigger healing is to surround oneself with the love of the community and to pray to God and believe in his ability to effect healing.

This does not mean that we refuse medical treatments as some religions do. Rather, studies have shown that sick people's chances of recovery improve when they have people taking care of them, and when they maintain a positive frame of mind.

Write
Think about your faith story: how have you struggled with illnesses, and how have you watched others struggle with illnesses?

In your experience of recovering from illness, how have community support and positive faith impacted healing? Do you believe God can trigger healing in your body?

At this moment in your life, what health issues concerns you? What illnesses do you struggle with?

Pray
What is God saying to you today?

Talk to God about your your health, and health concerns you have with yourself and people close to you. Tell him about the fears and anxieties you may feel.

Talk to God about the healing you need. Ask him to provide the community support and positive faith that can help you heal.

Talk to God about people you know struggling with illness. Ask God how you can support them, and inspire positive faith in them.

Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy as you experience healing for yourself and others, and as you learn to participate in giving healing support to others.