Provision in Prayer

The Provision of God, in the prayer of faith

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5: 15

We are taking the meaning of the word, provision, as making the necessary arrangements for something or someone. Here are a couple examples.

Sue, a young, single mother of two young children, has moved to a new location and elders from the Church in the neighbourhood have come to welcome her. They invite her to worship with them and join them on Wednesdays for prayer fellowship. However, she has no one to care for her two young children, as she can’t afford daycare. The Church elders tell her that they have already made provisions for her, in that the Church has set up a facility, which will allow her to attend prayer meetings on Wednesdays. They will care for her children, freeing her to attend. She is very thankful for what they have already provided, but unfortunately, she still can’t get there, because she has no transport of her own and she simply can’t afford public transport. O, says the elder, we have that covered as well. Arrangements have been made for someone to pick you up and take you back home.

I’m quite aware that this is commonplace in many organizations, these and other provisions, which are made to encourage people to attend what is offered.  Let’s exert a little reasoning here. Isn’t it true, for the young woman, that the Church family really wants her to be one with them? Isn’t it true that they delight in having her receive all that they have to offer? The fact is that they have made it accessible to her and the onus is on her to believe and receive. These provisions have cost her nothing. Nevertheless, they have cost others something.  

Let me introduce you to Sam, a mature, retired gentleman who has a number of mobility issues and is unable to get to many places as he once did. Friends, family and a few well-wishers, joined together to provide Sam with a vehicle so that he is now able to reach places he could not reach. Sam is able to accomplish many things and reach many places, with his given transport. What is even more amazing, is that Sam never had to contribute a penny, towards obtaining that versatile vehicle. 

What you have heard, is nothing extraordinary, for people and organizations still do such good and helpful deeds. Let’s continue to exert more reasoning here also. Isn’t it true, for the senior with mobility issues, that loving, caring, kind folk, want him to be as mobile as possible? Isn’t it a reality that they are happy and pleased to see Sam in his vehicle, going places with ease and comfort, as he desires? The reality is that Sam’s family, friends and benevolent wishers, have made travel accessible to him. However, the onus is on him to get up and take advantage of what he has been given, free of cost. This provision has cost him nothing, but it has cost others much.  

Can this be really true? Has our Lord already made provisions for us in prayer? God is the One who has provided us with faith, that which is needed in prayer. Jesus is the One who encourages us to pray and is very excited to have us learn to pray. He has told us that the Holy Spirit teaches us, leads us and guides us in prayer. However, without faith, without believing, we forfeit everything that has been already provided for us by our Lord.

When the Church – elders, pastors, deacons, ministers, priests, bishops – prays for the sick, faith allows us to know this. James is reminding us that God has already made provision for the sick to be prayed for. It is the Lord Jesus who has told us, the Church, we must pray for the sick. It is on His Authority that we pray. What the Church, you and I need, is faith to believe and not doubt. Has not Jesus spoken these words to the Church, His disciples, you and me? 

Have faith in God. For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things which he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say unto you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11: 22b – 24. NKJV. 

The provision which has already been made for us in prayer is irremovable, for God does not take away our faith from us. What we do is weaken and even kill faith, by applying doubts, guesses and gainsaying to the provisions Jesus has so freely made and given to us.

Lord, have mercy upon us! Amen!

The Provision: The prayer of faith is commanded by God.