The normal expectation for the gift of prophecy
In the previous lesson, we saw that Jesus passed along to us the mission responsibility to continue the work of healing that he was doing during his time on earth before his crucifixion and resurrection. The point to take away from this is that healing in Jesus’ ministry and in the work of his followers was important, essential, and enduring through every generation of the church.
But, the work of healing was not the only mission priority that Jesus intends for us to carry on after him as we are empowered by his spirit within us. Jesus came “speaking” as well as “doing.” In other words, Jesus regularly prophesied as he taught and ministered to people. In fact, he claimed that he only spoke about what he had heard from the Father (John 12:48-50).
When Paul took up the responsibility to teach the new churches started by Jesus’ first disciples, prophecy was assumed to be a normal part of their experience and work, too.
“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their up-building and encouragement, and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.” I Corinthians 14:1-5
“If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” I Corinthians 14: 23-25
Learning to prophecy should be one of your highest priorities as a disciple of Jesus
The normal use of prophecy is very helpful to people
One of the most powerful things that will ever happen to you is to hear your loving creator speak directly to you. In fact, Jesus put hearing God’s voice and what God says to you as more important than anything else in life (see Matthew 4:4 where he quotes Deuteronomy 8:3). And, while sometimes God will speak to people through dreams, visions, or even an audible voice, it seems that his preferred method is to speak to us by through others by prophecy. This is why the prophetic gift among God’s people is such a high priority!
The following is from Todd Volker’s excellent book, “Street Level Prayer” written to help train and equip the church to take Jesus’ ministry out into the streets of our local communities. I felt like this following section was very helpful in describing how we can integrate prophecy into prayer for others so that they feel loved and hear something of what God would be saying directly to them.
“Prophecy in the context of praying for people usually entails God giving us revelation about how He feels about that individual. This may also include information about them that we wouldn’t have by natural means. It may come to us by impressions, pictures, words, or other means of revelation. This revelation must be weighed in our hearts and minds as we discern what God is saying (interpretation).
In most [settings where you are praying for someone], God is often giving us information (revelation) that He wants us to share with others to bless them. The question then becomes: How do I deliver this prophecy to the individual in a way that is both relational and understandable?
I have struggled with this question for a while, and wanted to find a good balance between delivering a word (or that revelation from God) and not being weird or religious. Over time I have followed this technique to good success: Pray the “word” over the person and don’t stop the prayer to give a “word.”
Saying it another way, I often receive revelation from God as I am praying for an individual, and I have learned to pray that as prophecy over them in the course of the prayer exchange. The key phrase I use is “Lord, I thank you that…” and then say the word in that prayer.
For example, if I get the picture of a father tossing a young child up and down in a playful way, I might say in midst of the prayer, “…and Lord, I thank you that you want to take Philip in your arms like a Father does a young boy and toss him in the air and catch him. You will always catch him. You love Philip and you smile and have joy as you two play together.” I don’t stop the prayer and say, “And the Lord would say to you, Philip…” because that would seem awkward and weird to most people (even most Christians) in that context.
When the Lord gives me a scripture verse in prayer, I use the same phrase, “Lord, I thank you that…you have loved Philip with an everlasting love, you have drawn him with unfailing kindness” (Jer. 31.3). If the Lord is giving me information about Philip’s past, I pray that in the middle of the prayer too, not stopping to give a “word of knowledge,” but weaving it into the relational dialogue of the prayer exchange.
I always keep in mind the goal of loving people by being relational as possible, and by removing any barriers that would keep them from receiving what God wants to give.
Could prophecy be delivered in an un-loving way? Sure, and I have been the recipient of someone’s attempt to prophesy over me in a harsh, forceful manner that did not communicate God’s love. If there was true revelation in there, it got lost in the manner of delivery. I want to avoid doing that at all cost, so I try to put myself in the shoes of the person receiving prayer and prophecy. I want to get out of the way of God, and not make the ministry about me.
The more powerful and gifted you are in ministry, the more you have to commit to not making yourself the center of attention. Prophecy always should have Jesus as the focus, and it should have the aroma (smell) of the Son of God on it. “For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus” (Rev. 19.10 NLT). The gift of prophecy in the context of prayer serves to open up the heart of the individual to the love and power of God (1Cor. 14.25). It is very wonderful when that happens, and God is delighted to speak through us.”
Extended quote from Todd Volker, Street Level Prayer, Chapter 7