What The Bible Says About FaithSample

Prayer of Faith

The prayer of faith entails both the prayer of the sick person and the prayer of the elders who in faith meet the requirements of this passage. But it suggests much more, because this faith is effectual. Some sick have had little faith, yet have been healed (Acts 3:4–8); others, like Paul, have had great faith, yet have not been healed (2 Corinthians 12:7–10). Further, those who possessed the gift of healing in the early church were at times unable to perform healing as they may have wished (compare 2 Timothy 4:20). 

The Greek text might suggest this reading: “The prayer produced by that faith will heal.” The prayer that results from true faith is effective. Elijah experienced this prayer of faith (verses 17, 18). Elijah knew God’s Word and will, and so persistently prayed (1 Kings 18:36, 37, 42–46). 

Faith is people acting in accordance with God’s known purpose (1 John 5:14). The prayer of faith does not include a gift of healing. It does not exert extraordinary spiritual strength (Acts 3:12); otherwise all spiritual Christians would be healthy (but compare 3 John 2). Nor does it merely involve the ritual of verse 14. The prayer of faith discerns God’s will and perseveres until it is accomplished. God’s will, however, is not to heal in every case, and true faith can discern and accept that (Romans 8:26, 27).