16. Confess your faults one the another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

16. Confess to one another therefore your faults—your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins; and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored—to a spiritual tone of mind and heart. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available—dynamic in its working. The Amplified Bible

He just talked about the prayer of faith saving and healing the sick and he says here to confess your faults to one another and pray for each other that we may be healed.  Sin in our life takes a toll on us physically as well as spiritually, emotionally and mentally.

When we continue on in faults and sins we will get out of alignment and will need to be restored spiritually, straightened out in our thinking mentally and possibly healed physically and/or emotionally.

The way to deal with sin is not to cover it up but to confess it.  1 John 1:9 says if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Do we have to confess our sin to a person?  No.  1 Timothy 2:5 says " For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"  But there may be times we do confess them to each other and when we do we should pray for each other.  That is the body working together and supporting each other instead of being critical and judgmental of one another.

When we are in right-standing with God we are a "righteous man" and there is tremendous power available in our continued, heartfelt prayers!

Confession:

I will not cover up or hide my sin.  I will admit to it and confess it.  And rather than being judgmental and critical of others I will pray for them.