They must also be compassionate, patient, and able to listen. They must have a warm disposition and be trustworthy, not prone to gossip. Not limited to elders, these are all implicit requirements for any servant of God who prays for the needs of others. It is used here in prayer as a symbol of remembrance for the sick person, so that by remembering the grace of God and work of the Holy Spirit, their faith may be strengthened. In the Bible, the healing of God was often carried out through the use of physical symbols.
Faith is a necessary element for effective prayer.
It is through our faith that God chooses to respond to prayers. The healing power is God's power as He chooses to respond to our faith. We must not neglect to ask for forgiveness of sins, even when we are praying for each other. Successful prayer requires confession of sins. Sin separates us from God, making our prayers ineffective.