James has been called the wisdom literature of the New Testament. It is filled with the practicals of the Christian life. One of these practicals is the good work of prayer. In chapter 5 James makes it clear that those who believe the gospel will be people who pray. They pray about many things—including for (and with) one another.
There is something very distinct about how and why Christians bear the burdens of others in comparison to any other community. The Bible shows us some of the hows and whys that make it uniquely Christian.