Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you … Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. James 5:13-15
When you hear that someone’s suffering, is prayer the first place your mind goes?
Prayer is always a good idea. The Bible says, “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray … . Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you” (James 5:13-15 excerpted). A woman named Joni has a lot to say about suffering and prayer. Joni has been paralyzed for over 50 years from a diving accident as a teenager. But she allowed her suffering to enlarge her heart for God and others. Her life has been marked by global ministry, writing, and advocacy for people with disabilities.
Joni shares how to best pray for a suffering friend: “It’s important,” she says, “to pray specifically and committedly …. Often we hear prayer requests for upcoming surgeries or someone with cancer. But it’s rare to hear, ‘Oh, God, may Bob’s surgery with all that pain and discomfort drive him deeper into your Word, remind him how to pray for others who suffer, help him to be a solid witness to the medical staff.’ That’s the way we should pray.”[1]
Coming from someone who has endured cancer, chronic pain, and respiratory struggles, Joni’s advice is deeply personal. She models her prayer life for the suffering on what she calls the “80/20 Model”: 20% on the physical need and 80% on spiritual needs—she prays for things like courage, perseverance, endurance and the fruits of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), that last into eternity.
When we pray like this, we don’t just ask for relief—we ask for God’s redeeming presence to show up and do His work in suffering. And He always does.
[1] “How to Care for Sufferers.” Everyday Pastor, hosted by Jeff Robinson and Bob Johnson, featuring Joni Eareckson Tada, The Gospel Coalition, 13 June 2024.
