Given what James has been saying earlier, it is nice to know you are allowed to be happy as he instructs anyone who is happy to praise the Lord (rather than to weep and wail instead!). If we are in trouble we should pray. Of someone is sick, they should call the elders, who will pray for them and anoint them with oil.
Throughout this letter James has been very blunt. Here he is equally blunt. If we are in trouble, pray. Our response to the situation is very simple. Following Jesus is actually very simple! We just need to do it.
If the elders pray for a person in faith the person will be made well. If they need forgiveness, they will also be forgiven. So we are to confess our sins and pray for each other. James is utterly convinced that prayer is effective.
Elijah is cited as an example. He prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain. He prayed for rain to come, and heavy rain fell.
If someone wanders from the truth they can be brought back. It does not matter how many sins they have committed. If they truly repent, then they will be saved from death and a multitude of sins will be covered over.
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