This passage deals with the power of prayer for these believing Jews who look forward to a promised kingdom on earth; a kingdom that offers many physical blessings. James shows these kingdom saints how to handle the situations of life: if suffering, pray; if cheerful, sing psalms; if sick, call for prayer from church elders. The result: "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." While there are principles for us to learn from this passage, the promises belong to Israel.