5:15 prayer of faith. There is no special “prayer of faith” that has healing power. The power of trusting and faithful prayer is accented here; the Christian community should be devoutly engaged in intercessory prayer for the sick. This verse is the classic proof text for the institution of the Roman Catholic sacrament of extreme unction. Extreme unction is a healing rite that has come to be thought of primarily as the “last rites” in preparation for death.

committed sins. Sin and illness are not unrelated. Forgiveness is therapeutic to the body as well as to the soul.