When you pray with anointing oil and no immediate result becomes visible, the first thing to remember is that anointing is a prophetic act of faith, not a physical mechanism that automatically produces a particular outcome. Its purpose is to make our confidence in God's Word visible in the natural world. Scripture teaches that faith concerns realities that may not yet be perceived through our natural senses (Hebrews 11:1). Mark 11:23--24 likewise emphasises believing when we pray rather than making our faith dependent upon first seeing the answer. The distinction between the spiritual and natural realms is important here. Something may be established spiritually before its manifestation becomes visible in the natural world. We therefore should not allow the absence of an immediate visible result to become the foundation of what we believe. At the same time, this does not mean that we should pretend to observe a result that has not actually occurred. Faith remains grounded in God's Word, while our testimony about what is visibly happening should remain truthful.
For those praying for the sick, James 5:14--15 places particular responsibility upon the elders who undertake to minister. It is the prayer of faith that the passage identifies, not the supposed spiritual performance of the sick person. A person seeking healing must therefore never be blamed or condemned because no immediate change can be seen. Those ministering should instead examine their own understanding of Scripture, continue growing in faith and persevere in acting according to the commission Jesus has given His followers. Romans 10:17 teaches that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Returning to Scripture, meditating upon its promises and proclaiming God's Word are therefore essential responses when doubt or discouragement arises. The same principle applies more broadly to personal prayer and anointing: remain dependent upon the Holy Spirit, keep your heart aligned with God's Word and do not replace genuine faith with the repeated performance of an outward ritual. The oil is not the source of the answer. Our confidence remains in Jesus Christ, whose purposes are to save, heal, deliver and restore.
House of Anointing