Prayer and Spiritual Growth

How Should I Pray for Someone Who Is Sick?

Praying for the sick includes bringing specific needs to God in faith, asking for healing according to His will, and involving the support and encouragement of the faith community, while also encouraging appropriate medical care.

Published 2026-09-13 · Updated 2026-09-27

Written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team. Read our editorial policy.

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Biblical explanation

James instructs believers to call for the elders of the church to pray over the sick, anointing with oil, and promises that “the prayer of faith shall save the sick” (), showing that prayer for physical healing has a place within corporate church life. Prayer for the sick should include trust that God is able to heal while also submitting to His wisdom, since healing is not always granted in this life, and Paul himself experienced an unhealed “thorn in the flesh” despite persistent prayer (). Alongside prayer, believers are wise to encourage and support the use of appropriate medical care, since God often works through physicians and treatment as means of healing, and both prayer and medical help can be pursued together rather than as opposing options.

In brief

James instructs believers to call for the elders of the church to pray over the sick, anointing with oil, and promises that “the prayer of faith shall save the sick” (), showing that prayer for physical healing has a place within corporate church life.

Bible references

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Editorial note

This answer is written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team, and is presented with supporting references so you can examine each passage in context. If you notice an error or unclear statement, please suggest a correction.