Prayer That Works

James’ pastoral heart shines through his punchy style, evident in his repeated use of "my brothers," which bookends this final exhortation. He encourages his readers to respond rightly to the various situations they face and for the church to participate in the ministry of healing prayer and relational confession. These directives are not mechanical instructions, but a holistic prescription. Modern research confirms that unconfessed guilt and shame are damaging to our physical health. Confession to others doesn't secure divine pardon—that's God's domain—but it does minister forgiveness through Christ's body.

Though Elijah was one of, if not the most, powerful prophet, James asserts that he had a nature like ours. Meaning, his righteous prayer was not a result of his personal piety but his position with God. Our prayers for one another have power not in themselves, but because of our true advocate: 1 John 2:1 - “...if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”