Question:Why do some churches anoint people with oil when they pray?

Answer: The Bible tells us in James 5:14 "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." Later in verse 15 we are told what would happen after the prayer: "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick…" Yes, we have doctors, medicines and hospitals but, all these are the agents of mankind. When man can do nothing more, then God can step in where there is faith to believe God for the healing and obedience to the Lord's Word which says we should be anointed.