“Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord…” (James 5:14)

There’s just something about being anointed that is very special to me. God tells us to reach out to the elders when we are sick or in need of prayer. It’s a way we can connect with Him, and our brothers and sisters in Christ, through prayer.

Ever since I was a little girl, anytime I get anointed, two words come to mind…peace and comfort. You can feel it as soon as the elders lay hands upon your head. It’s such a comfort to me. You can feel that blanket of love wrapping around you. With faith believing, you know that the elders are petitioning the Lord, you are petitioning the Lord, and so are your brothers and sisters in Christ. You are all connected at that moment in the same way. 

Unified in Christ. Unified in prayer.

It’s just amazing to me. Think back to a time when you were anointed and really felt God’s Spirit.

I remember being prayed on, as a teenager, at a GMBA campout. There were a few of us who asked for prayer, and we were all in the center of a big circle. We were surrounded by the young people in our seminar and the ministers who were teaching our class. 

As they prayed on me, it literally felt like a tingly, fiery rain that came down on me, and not in a bad way at all. It started at the top of my head and went down to my feet. When we think of fire, we automatically think hot and dangerous. But, I know this was the Spirit of God. Not only did I feel that, but a few others who were prayed on in that circle said the same exact thing.

It was His Spirit. It was a confirmation that we were all unified in prayer and connected to God in such a special way.

Don’t ever hesitate to ask an elder for an anointing. The evil one will try to talk you out of it and make you think it’s not that big of a deal.

Whether you are sick, need spiritual strength, have something big that needs prayer, or something you view as “little”…call on the elders. Get prayed on. God knows your heart and wants you to come to Him, and I promise you, that blanket of love, the peace and comfort, and knowing we are all united in that moment, is a beautiful sight to Him.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.