James 5:16
Verse
Context
The Prayer of Faith
15And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Confess your faults one to another - This is a good general direction to Christians who endeavor to maintain among themselves the communion of saints. This social confession tends much to humble the soul, and to make it watchful. We naturally wish that our friends in general, and our religious friends in particular, should think well of us; and when we confess to them offenses which, without this confession, they could never have known, we feel humbled, are kept from self-applause, and induced to watch unto prayer, that we may not increase our offenses before God, or be obliged any more to undergo the painful humiliation of acknowledging our weakness, fickleness, or infidelity to our religious brethren. It is not said, Confess your faults to the Elders that they may forgive them, or prescribe penance in order to forgive them. No; the members of the Church were to confess their faults to each other; therefore auricular confession to a priest, such as is prescribed by the Romish Church, has no foundation in this passage. Indeed, had it any foundation here it would prove more than they wish, for it would require the priest to confess his sins to the people, as well as the people to confess theirs to the priest. And pray one for another - There is no instance in auricular confession where the penitent and the priest pray together for pardon; but here the people are commanded to pray for each other that they may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much - The words δεησις ενεργουμενη signify energetic supplication, or such a prayer as is suggested to the soul and wrought in it by a Divine energy. When God designs to do some particular work in his Church he pours out on his followers the spirit of grace and supplication; and this he does sometimes when he is about to do some especial work for an individual. When such a power of prayer is granted, faith should be immediately called into exercise, that the blessing may be given: the spirit of prayer is the proof that the power of God is present to heal. Long prayers give no particular evidence of Divine inspiration: the following was a maxim among the ancient Jews, שתפלת צדיקים קצדה the prayers of the righteous are short. This is exemplified in almost every instance in the Old Testament.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The oldest authorities read, "Confess, THEREFORE," &c. Not only in the particular case of sickness, but universally confess. faults--your falls and offenses, in relation to one another. The word is not the same as sins. Mat 5:23-24; Luk 17:4, illustrate the precept here. one to another--not to the priest, as Rome insists. The Church of England recommends in certain cases. Rome compels confession in all cases. Confession is desirable in the case of (1) wrong done to a neighbor; (2) when under a troubled conscience we ask counsel of a godly minister or friend as to how we may obtain God's forgiveness and strength to sin no more, or when we desire their intercessory prayers for us ("Pray for one another"): "Confession may be made to anyone who can pray" [BENGEL]; (3) open confession of sin before the Church and the world, in token of penitence. Not auricular confession. that ye may be healed--of your bodily sicknesses. Also that, if your sickness be the punishment of sin, the latter being forgiven on intercessory prayer, "ye may be healed" of the former. Also, that ye may be healed spiritually. effectual--intense and fervent, not "wavering" (Jam 1:6), [BEZA]. "When energized" by the Spirit, as those were who performed miracles [HAMMOND]. This suits the collocation of the Greek words and the sense well. A righteous man's prayer is always heard generally, but his particular request for the healing of another was then likely to be granted when he was one possessing a special charism of the Spirit. ALFORD translates, "Availeth much in its working." The "righteous" is one himself careful to avoid "faults," and showing his faith by works (Jam 2:24).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Confess your faults one to another,.... Which must be understood of sins committed against one another; which should be acknowledged, and repentance for them declared, in order to mutual forgiveness and reconciliation; and this is necessary at all times, and especially on beds of affliction, and when death and eternity seem near approaching: wherefore this makes nothing for auricular confession, used by the Papists; which is of all sins, whereas this is only of such by which men offend one another; that is made to priests, but this is made by the saints to one another, by the offending party to him that is offended, for reconciliation, whereby a good end is answered; whereas there is none by the other, and very often bad consequences follow. And pray for one another, that ye may be healed; both corporeally and spiritually: the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Not any man's prayer; not the prayer of a profane sinner, for God heareth not sinners; nor of hypocrites and formal professors: but of the righteous man, who is justified by the righteousness of Christ, and has the truth of grace in him, and lives soberly and righteously; for a righteous man often designs a good man, a gracious man, one that is sincere and upright, as Job, Joseph of Arimathea, and others; though not without sin, as the person instanced in the following verse shows; "Elias, who was a man of like passions", but a just man, and his prayer was prevalent: and not any prayer of a righteous man is of avail, but that which is "effectual, fervent"; that has power, and energy, and life in it; which is with the Spirit, and with the understanding, with the heart, even with a true heart, and in faith; and which is put up with fervency, and not in a cold, lukewarm, lifeless, formal, and customary way: it is but one word in the original text; and the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "daily"; that prayer which is constant and continual, and without ceasing, and is importunate; this prevails and succeeds, as the parable of the widow and the unjust judge shows. Some translate the word "inspired": the Spirit of God breathes into men the breath of spiritual life, and they live, and being quickened by him, they breathe; and prayer is the breath of the spiritual man, and is no other than the reverberation of the Spirit of God in him; and such prayer cannot fail of success: it may be rendered "inwrought"; true prayer is not what is written in a book, but what is wrought in the heart, by the Spirit of God; who is the enditer of prayer, who impresses the minds of his people with a sense of their wants, and fills their mouths with arguments, and puts strength into them to plead with God, and makes intercession for them according to the will of God; and such prayer is always heard, and regarded by him: this has great power with God; whatever is asked, believing, is received; God can deny nothing prayed for in this manner; it has great power with Christ, as Jacob had over the angel, when he wrestled with him; and as the woman of Canaan, when she importuned him, on account of her daughter, and would have no denial: such prayer has often been of much avail against Satan, who has been dispossessed by it; even the most stubborn kind of devils have been dislodged by fasting and prayer: it has often been the means of preserving kingdoms and nations, when invaded by enemies, as the instances of Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah show; and of removing judgments from a people, as was often done, through the prayers of Moses, as when fire and fiery serpents were sent among them; and of bringing down blessings as rain from heaven by Elijah; and of delivering particular persons from trouble, as Peter was delivered from prison, through the incessant prayer of the church for him: and this power, and efficacy, and prevalence of prayer, does not arise from any intrinsic worth and merit in it, but from the grace of the Spirit, who influences and endites it, directs to it, and assists in it; and from the powerful mediation, precious blood, and efficacious sacrifice of Christ; and from the promise of God and Christ, who have engaged, that whatever is asked according to the will of God, and in the name of Christ, shall be done. The Jews have had formerly a great notion of prayer: the power of prayer, they say (b), is strong; and extol it above all other services: they say (c), it is better than good works, or than offerings and sacrifices; and particularly, the prayer of righteous men: says R. Eliezar (d). "to what is , "prayer of righteous men" like? it is like a shovel: the sense is, that as the shovel turns the corn on the floor, from one place to another, so prayer turns the holy blessed God from wrath to mercy.'' (b) Zohar in Exod. fol. 100. 1. (c) T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 32. 2. (d) T. Bab. Succa, fol. 14. 1. & Yebamot, fol. 64. 1.
James 5:16
The Prayer of Faith
15And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Hell-Shaking Prayer
By David Wilkerson43K1:02:472CH 7:14PSA 51:10DAN 6:10JAS 5:161JN 1:9This sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer, focusing on the story of Daniel who prayed fervently despite facing opposition and the threat of the lion's den. It highlights the need for believers to be men and women of prayer, seeking God's face and repenting of sin to experience His cleansing and restoration.
Accountability to God - Part 1
By Leonard Ravenhill24K29:18RevivalAccountabilityPSA 51:10MAT 24:14LUK 19:10JHN 14:1ROM 6:222CO 5:10JAS 5:161PE 4:51JN 1:9REV 3:19Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the urgency of accountability to God, arguing that if believers truly believed in the imminent return of Jesus, their lives would reflect that belief through prayer and righteous living. He critiques the complacency of Christians who are satisfied with their spiritual state and calls for a revival that stems from a genuine restoration of first love for Christ. Ravenhill shares powerful testimonies of transformation, illustrating how true repentance and obedience lead to joy and a renewed relationship with God. He challenges the church to confront sin and seek holiness, reminding them that God desires a broken and contrite heart. Ultimately, he urges believers to live as if Christ's return is imminent, impacting their actions and relationships.
1 Kings 16-18 - Part 1
By Leonard Ravenhill8.4K1:27:21Christian Life1KI 17:1MAT 4:4JAS 5:16In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the venue and encourages the audience to attend more frequently. The sermon then focuses on the book of James, specifically chapter 5. The speaker mentions the growth of a soul and the growth of a work, referring to biographies and autobiographies of Christians. The example of Hudson Taylor, a missionary in China, is highlighted as someone who started as a young boy and eventually founded the China Inland Mission. The speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer, especially in times of poverty and need. The sermon concludes by mentioning Elijah as an example of a man with similar passions as us who prayed fervently.
A Warning to America
By Keith Daniel8.0K1:15:442CH 7:14PSA 51:10MAT 5:14EPH 6:10JAS 5:16This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's intervention and righteousness in a land plagued by defilement and darkness. It highlights the power of prayer and the need for Christians to unite in spiritual warfare to combat the forces of evil. The speaker shares personal experiences of weeping over the moral decay in society and calls for a revival of faith and repentance to bring healing and restoration to the nation.
The Enemy of Revival - Part 2 (Cd Quality)
By Leonard Ravenhill7.0K51:19RevivalEXO 33:20JDG 14:62KI 2:9ISA 6:5DAN 11:322TI 2:15JAS 5:16In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Samson from the Bible. He highlights how Samson was a powerful man who performed great feats, such as ripping the gates of a city and killing a lion. However, Samson's downfall came when he was betrayed by his own people and captured by his enemies. The preacher emphasizes the importance of humility and confessing one's faults before God, using examples of individuals who were once respected but fell into sin. He concludes by urging the audience to seek God's forgiveness and transformation in their lives.
The Power of Prayer
By Alan Redpath7.0K1:26:38Power Of PrayerEXO 33:18PSA 86:11PRO 28:13MAT 6:331TH 5:17JAS 5:161JN 5:14In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer leading to action. He highlights the need for conviction to be carried into life and for decisions to be made based on those convictions. The speaker shares a powerful testimony of a church experiencing a deep visitation from God, resulting in conviction of sin and a powerful atmosphere of repentance and confession. He also mentions the importance of faith, but cautions against placing faith in oneself, emphasizing our desperate need for God's work in our lives.
Prayer as a Way of Walking in Love: A Personal Journey
By Francis Chan6.4K1:06:11Walking in LovePrayerPSA 27:4ISA 58:9JER 29:12MAT 7:7MRK 11:24JHN 15:7PHP 1:281TI 6:15JAS 5:161PE 3:7Francis Chan emphasizes the transformative power of prayer as a means of walking in love, sharing his personal journey of experiencing God's love through answered prayers. He recounts various instances where God responded to his heartfelt cries, illustrating how prayer deepens one's relationship with God and fosters a sense of awe and gratitude. Chan encourages believers to prioritize their connection with God over mere ministry activities, highlighting that true strength comes from abiding in Him. He challenges the audience to reflect on their prayer lives and to seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, which ultimately leads to a fearless and fruitful life.
Interview of Leonard Ravenhill by David Mainse
By Leonard Ravenhill6.0K12:07RevivalInterviewPrayer in MinistryMAT 21:13LUK 18:1ACT 6:4ROM 12:12EPH 6:18PHP 4:6COL 4:21TH 5:171TI 2:1JAS 5:16Leonard Ravenhill, in an interview with David Mainse, emphasizes the critical need for prayer in ministry, arguing that a lack of prayer life among preachers leads to a spiritually stagnant church. He reflects on the early church's commitment to prayer and contrasts it with the modern church's focus on organization and performance. Ravenhill calls for a revival of genuine prayer and intercession, suggesting that the church must return to its roots of seeking God earnestly. He also highlights the importance of preachers dedicating time to prepare spiritually, not just intellectually, for their messages. Ultimately, Ravenhill urges ministers to prioritize their prayer life to foster a vibrant and impactful church.
A Quiet Talk on Prayer
By William MacDonald6.0K33:41Prayer LifeJAS 4:2JAS 5:16REV 8:1In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a conversation he had with a young person who expressed the difficulty of living a life of faith in the United States. The speaker emphasizes the need to trust God completely and put oneself in a position where failure is only possible if God fails. He believes that by doing so, one will experience a powerful presence in their life and be able to impact others for God. The sermon then transitions to a discussion on prayer, highlighting the confidence believers can have in approaching God and the assurance that He hears and answers their prayers according to His will. The speaker also shares a personal anecdote about a situation where God provided food for him and his companion through the kindness of a stranger.
Three Secrets to Conquer Fear
By Josef Tson5.4K51:05FearPRO 22:23JAS 5:16In this sermon, the pastor shares a personal experience of being kidnapped and beaten by the secret police. Despite the terrifying situation, he recalls how the Lord gave him the strength and courage to face his captors. The pastor emphasizes the importance of having the right perspective and mindset in times of fear and adversity. He references the biblical story of Elisha's servant, whose eyes were opened to see the protection and provision of God even in the midst of a dire situation. The pastor encourages listeners to trust in God and allow Him to mend their eyes, enabling them to see His light and overcome fear.
Called to Be Accountable
By Andy Stanley4.9K41:49AccountabilityPRO 27:17MAT 18:15LUK 17:3GAL 6:1JAS 5:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accountability in the Christian life. He argues that God does not expect us to struggle alone and that we all face the same temptations. The speaker shares personal examples of how he has sought accountability in his own life, including having multiple accountability partners. He also references a passage from Luke 17 that instructs believers to rebuke and forgive one another. The speaker suggests that the lack of accountability in society contributes to family breakdown and encourages listeners to embrace accountability in their own lives.
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire-Iii Interview: Jim Cymbala
By Jim Cymbala4.5K29:29InterviewMAT 6:33MAT 22:371CO 3:13EPH 4:16HEB 4:16JAS 5:161PE 5:2In this video, Dr. Richard Land discusses the bias against conservatives and Christians in the national media, as detailed in Bernard Goldberg's book "Bias." He highlights the outrage from figures like Dan Rather in response to this revelation. The video then transitions to a personal story shared by a pastor about encountering a man in need of Jesus during a church service. The pastor reflects on his own lack of spiritual awareness and conviction in that moment. The video concludes by mentioning the power of prayer in a church and community in New York.
Calling on the Name of the Lord
By Jim Cymbala4.4K40:12GEN 4:25PSA 4:3PSA 14:4PSA 50:15ISA 55:6JER 33:3MAT 7:7ACT 2:42JAS 5:16This sermon emphasizes the power and importance of calling on the name of the Lord in times of trouble and need. It recounts personal experiences and biblical principles that highlight the transformative impact of earnest prayer and calling out to God. The speaker shares how prayer and calling on God led to miraculous interventions and transformations in challenging situations, emphasizing the need for a deep, consistent, and faith-filled prayer life.
Prayer Is a Warfare
By B.H. Clendennen4.4K1:10:04Spiritual WarfarePrevailing PrayerPrayerNEH 4:9PSA 141:2MAT 26:41LUK 18:1ROM 12:1EPH 6:181TH 5:17JAS 5:16B.H. Clendennen emphasizes that prayer is a form of spiritual warfare, drawing parallels between the distinctiveness of prayer and the evening sacrifice in the Old Testament. He reflects on his experiences in Vietnam, illustrating how prayer can rise above the chaos and darkness of life, much like the fragrance of incense amidst the stench of a fish market. Clendennen argues that true prayer requires total surrender and is essential for spiritual victory, as it is the primary battleground against the forces of evil. He warns that the enemy's greatest strategy is to undermine the prayer life of believers, as effective prayer is crucial for manifesting the life of Christ in the world. Ultimately, he calls for a return to fervent prayer as the means to combat spiritual darkness and fulfill the mission of the church.
Art's Testimony - Part 5
By Art Katz4.4K06:04ROM 10:1EPH 2:8JAS 5:16This sermon shares a powerful testimony of a transformational encounter with God, leading to salvation and a life dedicated to serving Him. It highlights the impact of fervent prayers from believers on the salvation of others, even without direct contact, and the profound mystery of God's work through the church. The speaker's journey from radical atheism to faith showcases the transformative power of God's love and the role of individuals in interceding for others' salvation.
Great Awakenings in American History Part 3
By J. Edwin Orr4.4K43:44Revival HistoryMAT 18:20LUK 11:9ACT 1:14JAS 5:16In this sermon, the speaker discusses a powerful revival that took place in Chicago in 1858. Four laymen began preaching in a church and when the building became too crowded, they continued preaching outside. The revival spread throughout the north of Ireland and eventually reached Belfast. The speaker also mentions D.L. Moody, a prominent evangelist, who expressed a desire to see the Church of Christ revived as it was in 1858. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer and seeking God's face for spiritual awakening.
Praying Church
By A.W. Tozer4.3K1:03:56PrayingMAT 6:9MAT 6:33LUK 18:1LUK 19:46JAS 1:6JAS 4:2JAS 5:16In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the power and importance of prayer. He references three Bible verses that emphasize the significance of prayer in the life of a believer. The preacher highlights the need for a renewed vision of God and emphasizes the importance of hallowing God's name in a sinful world. He also criticizes the use of manipulative methodologies in the church and emphasizes the need for a genuine spiritual revival. The preacher concludes by stating that evangelism is simply an extension of the kind of religion one already has, and that true transformation and revival are necessary for effective evangelism.
Prevailing Prayer
By Gerhard Du Toit4.3K59:33Prevailing Prayer1SA 15:22PSA 46:10PRO 3:5ISA 37:3MAT 6:33JHN 7:17JAS 5:16In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of evangelism in Africa and Scotland, where they would spend several weeks before making any invitations to allow people to be convicted by the Word of God. He emphasizes that the Holy Spirit works through the communication of God's Word to fertilize and manifest a life of the Word in ordinary people. The speaker also shares a personal story of his time in the military and as a chaplain, highlighting the importance of prayer and intercession for the souls of others. He concludes by sharing a story of an old man who prayed fervently for his town, and how God answered his prayers, emphasizing the power of prayer in bringing about revival.
Intercession in Prayer
By Paris Reidhead4.2K41:26IntercessionMAT 9:38EPH 2:61TI 1:20HEB 10:19JAS 5:161PE 2:9REV 1:5In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of intercession and prayer in the mission of spreading the word of God. The key message is that the responsibility to pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest rests with the church. The speaker highlights that although God has already done so much for humanity, including sending his son for redemption, he still requires the church to intercede and pray for laborers. The sermon concludes with a call for believers to commit to the ministry of intercession, as it has the power to transform the world.
Pray Big and Pray Bold
By Sundar Krishnan3.9K24:59PSA 2:1ACT 4:31EPH 6:18COL 4:2JAS 5:16This sermon emphasizes the power of intercessory prayer in shaping the future and creating a better world. It explores the concept of spiritual defiance through prayer, believing in God's promises, and surveying the future with faith. The sermon delves into Acts chapter 4, highlighting the prayer of the early church in the face of opposition, showcasing the attributes of God and the importance of boldness in prayer.
"Praying Payson of Portland"
By Leonard Ravenhill3.8K00:59EPH 6:18PHP 4:6COL 4:21TH 5:17JAS 5:16This sermon reflects on the powerful legacy of a praying patient in Portland who dedicated himself to fervent prayer, leaving physical marks on his knees as a testament to his commitment. It emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer and intercession, highlighting the impact of a life devoted to seeking God.
Garland, Texas - Forgiveness and Confession
By J. Edwin Orr3.8K1:04:50MAT 18:15JAS 5:16This sermon emphasizes the importance of confession and repentance in maintaining fellowship with God and others. It highlights the need for sincere confession of faults to receive prayer and deliverance, focusing on the biblical principles of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. The speaker shares personal anecdotes and biblical teachings to illustrate the power of confession, repentance, and seeking forgiveness for restoration and revival.
When You Call Down Heaven
By Shane Idleman3.5K58:101CH 29:11MAT 6:6EPH 6:181TH 5:17JAS 5:16This sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer as a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. It highlights the need for a deeper walk with Christ through motives, positioning oneself to receive from God, and understanding the significance of prayer in calling down heaven. The message stresses the necessity of prioritizing prayer, seeking God's will, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil, while acknowledging God's sovereignty over all things.
Tuesday #1 Revival in Early America
By J. Edwin Orr3.5K36:41Revival History2CH 7:14PSA 2:8JER 33:3MAT 9:38ACT 1:141TI 2:1JAS 5:16In this sermon, the preacher discusses the decline of Christianity and moral values in America during the time of the American Revolution. He mentions that many influential figures, such as Samuel Provost Bishop of New York and John Marshall, believed that the church was beyond redemption. The preacher also highlights the lack of belief in God among college students, with Harvard having no believers and Princeton only having two. He further discusses the moral slump during this time, with widespread drunkenness, sexual license, lawlessness, and profanity. The sermon concludes with a mention of a book called "A Humble Attempt" that promotes prayer for revival and the extension of Christ's kingdom.
Biblical Assurance 2 - Austin, Tx
By Paul Washer3.5K32:39AssurancePSA 32:3PRO 28:13ISA 66:2MAT 6:33ROM 10:9JAS 5:161JN 1:9In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of a man of God committing a heinous sin and the despair that can follow. He emphasizes that Jesus not only forgives sin but also cleanses the conscience of guilt, offering hope and healing. The preacher urges the congregation to examine their own salvation and relationship with God, encouraging them to seek forgiveness and live a life that reflects God's character. He also expresses concern about the lack of genuine faith among evangelicals, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and confessing sin as a sign of true belief.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Confess your faults one to another - This is a good general direction to Christians who endeavor to maintain among themselves the communion of saints. This social confession tends much to humble the soul, and to make it watchful. We naturally wish that our friends in general, and our religious friends in particular, should think well of us; and when we confess to them offenses which, without this confession, they could never have known, we feel humbled, are kept from self-applause, and induced to watch unto prayer, that we may not increase our offenses before God, or be obliged any more to undergo the painful humiliation of acknowledging our weakness, fickleness, or infidelity to our religious brethren. It is not said, Confess your faults to the Elders that they may forgive them, or prescribe penance in order to forgive them. No; the members of the Church were to confess their faults to each other; therefore auricular confession to a priest, such as is prescribed by the Romish Church, has no foundation in this passage. Indeed, had it any foundation here it would prove more than they wish, for it would require the priest to confess his sins to the people, as well as the people to confess theirs to the priest. And pray one for another - There is no instance in auricular confession where the penitent and the priest pray together for pardon; but here the people are commanded to pray for each other that they may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much - The words δεησις ενεργουμενη signify energetic supplication, or such a prayer as is suggested to the soul and wrought in it by a Divine energy. When God designs to do some particular work in his Church he pours out on his followers the spirit of grace and supplication; and this he does sometimes when he is about to do some especial work for an individual. When such a power of prayer is granted, faith should be immediately called into exercise, that the blessing may be given: the spirit of prayer is the proof that the power of God is present to heal. Long prayers give no particular evidence of Divine inspiration: the following was a maxim among the ancient Jews, שתפלת צדיקים קצדה the prayers of the righteous are short. This is exemplified in almost every instance in the Old Testament.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The oldest authorities read, "Confess, THEREFORE," &c. Not only in the particular case of sickness, but universally confess. faults--your falls and offenses, in relation to one another. The word is not the same as sins. Mat 5:23-24; Luk 17:4, illustrate the precept here. one to another--not to the priest, as Rome insists. The Church of England recommends in certain cases. Rome compels confession in all cases. Confession is desirable in the case of (1) wrong done to a neighbor; (2) when under a troubled conscience we ask counsel of a godly minister or friend as to how we may obtain God's forgiveness and strength to sin no more, or when we desire their intercessory prayers for us ("Pray for one another"): "Confession may be made to anyone who can pray" [BENGEL]; (3) open confession of sin before the Church and the world, in token of penitence. Not auricular confession. that ye may be healed--of your bodily sicknesses. Also that, if your sickness be the punishment of sin, the latter being forgiven on intercessory prayer, "ye may be healed" of the former. Also, that ye may be healed spiritually. effectual--intense and fervent, not "wavering" (Jam 1:6), [BEZA]. "When energized" by the Spirit, as those were who performed miracles [HAMMOND]. This suits the collocation of the Greek words and the sense well. A righteous man's prayer is always heard generally, but his particular request for the healing of another was then likely to be granted when he was one possessing a special charism of the Spirit. ALFORD translates, "Availeth much in its working." The "righteous" is one himself careful to avoid "faults," and showing his faith by works (Jam 2:24).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Confess your faults one to another,.... Which must be understood of sins committed against one another; which should be acknowledged, and repentance for them declared, in order to mutual forgiveness and reconciliation; and this is necessary at all times, and especially on beds of affliction, and when death and eternity seem near approaching: wherefore this makes nothing for auricular confession, used by the Papists; which is of all sins, whereas this is only of such by which men offend one another; that is made to priests, but this is made by the saints to one another, by the offending party to him that is offended, for reconciliation, whereby a good end is answered; whereas there is none by the other, and very often bad consequences follow. And pray for one another, that ye may be healed; both corporeally and spiritually: the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Not any man's prayer; not the prayer of a profane sinner, for God heareth not sinners; nor of hypocrites and formal professors: but of the righteous man, who is justified by the righteousness of Christ, and has the truth of grace in him, and lives soberly and righteously; for a righteous man often designs a good man, a gracious man, one that is sincere and upright, as Job, Joseph of Arimathea, and others; though not without sin, as the person instanced in the following verse shows; "Elias, who was a man of like passions", but a just man, and his prayer was prevalent: and not any prayer of a righteous man is of avail, but that which is "effectual, fervent"; that has power, and energy, and life in it; which is with the Spirit, and with the understanding, with the heart, even with a true heart, and in faith; and which is put up with fervency, and not in a cold, lukewarm, lifeless, formal, and customary way: it is but one word in the original text; and the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "daily"; that prayer which is constant and continual, and without ceasing, and is importunate; this prevails and succeeds, as the parable of the widow and the unjust judge shows. Some translate the word "inspired": the Spirit of God breathes into men the breath of spiritual life, and they live, and being quickened by him, they breathe; and prayer is the breath of the spiritual man, and is no other than the reverberation of the Spirit of God in him; and such prayer cannot fail of success: it may be rendered "inwrought"; true prayer is not what is written in a book, but what is wrought in the heart, by the Spirit of God; who is the enditer of prayer, who impresses the minds of his people with a sense of their wants, and fills their mouths with arguments, and puts strength into them to plead with God, and makes intercession for them according to the will of God; and such prayer is always heard, and regarded by him: this has great power with God; whatever is asked, believing, is received; God can deny nothing prayed for in this manner; it has great power with Christ, as Jacob had over the angel, when he wrestled with him; and as the woman of Canaan, when she importuned him, on account of her daughter, and would have no denial: such prayer has often been of much avail against Satan, who has been dispossessed by it; even the most stubborn kind of devils have been dislodged by fasting and prayer: it has often been the means of preserving kingdoms and nations, when invaded by enemies, as the instances of Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah show; and of removing judgments from a people, as was often done, through the prayers of Moses, as when fire and fiery serpents were sent among them; and of bringing down blessings as rain from heaven by Elijah; and of delivering particular persons from trouble, as Peter was delivered from prison, through the incessant prayer of the church for him: and this power, and efficacy, and prevalence of prayer, does not arise from any intrinsic worth and merit in it, but from the grace of the Spirit, who influences and endites it, directs to it, and assists in it; and from the powerful mediation, precious blood, and efficacious sacrifice of Christ; and from the promise of God and Christ, who have engaged, that whatever is asked according to the will of God, and in the name of Christ, shall be done. The Jews have had formerly a great notion of prayer: the power of prayer, they say (b), is strong; and extol it above all other services: they say (c), it is better than good works, or than offerings and sacrifices; and particularly, the prayer of righteous men: says R. Eliezar (d). "to what is , "prayer of righteous men" like? it is like a shovel: the sense is, that as the shovel turns the corn on the floor, from one place to another, so prayer turns the holy blessed God from wrath to mercy.'' (b) Zohar in Exod. fol. 100. 1. (c) T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 32. 2. (d) T. Bab. Succa, fol. 14. 1. & Yebamot, fol. 64. 1.