September 26, Ordinary 26B (James 5:13–20)

“The prayer of faith will save the sick.” So much suffering has been created by the application of this verse. Many people have entered grief with fear and guilt in their hearts—that their faith was not strong enough to save their loved one from death. This scripture is meant to be encouraging. And yet it is so human of us to turn it against ourselves, or against those around us, when prayers don’t create the outcome for which we long.

I regularly pray for things that are unlikely to come about quickly, if at all. I pray for world peace. I pray for just resolutions to major geopolitical situations. I pray for reduced gun violence and for equity and fairness between all people. I pray for an end to fake news and for increased understanding between me and my extended family about social issues. I pray that my loved ones will not die.

I don’t pray these things because I expect a miracle like Elijah’s, when it seemed his prayer impacted the clouds and rain. After all, even though the author of James lifts up Elijah as a model, the letter also reminds people to be patient like the farmers are patient when they wait for rain to come in its own time, with the early and the late rains (5:7–8). The fact that the rains will come is described as a sign that God is near. Even the prophets who spoke in the name of God had patience and showed endurance. There are cycles of existence, and God is with us in them. There is a time for planting and a time for harvesting. There is a time for living and a time for dying. And God is with us, through it all.