For political reasons it's easy to understand why Senator Obama resigned from Trinity Church. Every church-related statement has the potential of a public controversy.

What does he do now? How does he find a new church home for himself and his family? Few other Americans have to search out and select a home Church with 300 million fellow citizens looking over their shoulders.

Even if we don't overlook his past church relationship let's at least call for some privacy in choosing the next Obama congregation.

St. James wrote the health prescription for first century Christians: "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:14-16)

Oil was frequently used as medicine in the first century Mediterranean world. The Bible was encouraging prayer and the best medicine available. The same goes for twenty-first century Christians-- Prayer/Faith and the best medicine available.

Does faith make a positive difference in health? Absolutely. Is a cure always guaranteed? No, faith means trusting God for the outcome, not for all our problems to be always solved.