Tips for Prophetic Prayer Ministry
by Jason Thompson
Revelation 19:10 …... the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy
A powerful aspect of ministry can be as we in humility express the mind and heart of God for others. This is called prophecy in the Bible. Paul writes in 1 Cor 14:3..
“But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.”
He goes on to say in verse 25 that prophecy reveals the the secrets of peoples hearts, and it should cause them to exclaim, “God is really among you!”. Jesus has given the ministry of prophecy as one of many ways that he speaks directly to people and their circumstances. This ministry is also a great encouragement to the one prophesying to discover that they are hearing from God and that he includes them in the work that he is doing in people’s lives. One of the repeated promises of the Holy Spirit, as He was experienced by the early church is that all would prophesy. Prophecy is a ministry, for everyone who follows Jesus to be engaged in and to grow in. Here are some tips as to how you can go about serving in the prophetic.
Love
Love is primary in any form of ministry. We must be people that minister and step out in love. Paul writes in 1 Cor 13:2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” If our hearts are not rooted in love for Jesus and others we should not attempt to prophecy.
Humility
We prophesy in part (1 Cor 13:9) and with that knowledge we must be humble not only before God but before the people to whom we are encouraging and caring for. Here are two important tips as to how you can keep a spirit of humility as you prophesy…
I often begin my times of prophecy by praying Ps 19:14 “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” This is an effort of surrendering and submitting what I share to Jesus.
Beginning by saying, “I think the Lord might be saying…” this communicates to my own heart and the heart of the person, listening a spirit of humility. The truth is, I could be wrong, I might not say everything accurately.
Scripture
It is imperative for us to know Scripture. God will not speak to us in a way that is contrary to a Jesus centered reading of Scripture and so it is important that we are students of the Bible and that our prophetic ministry is fueled by our secret life with Jesus through Scripture
Listening
It is important when we are ministering prophetically that we ask the Lord for direction before we charge in. This can be a 3 step process:
Taking time to quiet our selves and listen before praying or speaking
Asking the Lord what is on His mind for this person
Sharing with the people that we are praying for what we believe the Lord is saying
How God May Speak To You For Others
Throughout Scripture we see God speaking to people for others in many different ways. Some of those ways are in the ordinary and some can be quite extraordinary. God might give you a Bible verse, an image/impression, a single word, an action that you should do or many other ways. Be open and receptive to how God may uniquely speak to you to share with others.
Taking Risks – Faith
We grow in our faith as we take steps of risk. In humility be bold in sharing what you believe the Lord is saying to others as it is communicated in love and be prepared to make mistakes….no one grows or learns without making mistakes. Prophecy is an exercise of faith. We take a step of trust by sharing what we feel God is speaking to us for others.
Sharing and Limits
We need to be careful to share only what the Lord speaks and reveals to us as we share with others. Do not make the mistake of interpreting when you do not in fact have an interpretation for what you have prophecied.. Simply share what the Lord has given you and allow others to respond.
Testing Prophecy
We are not to receive prophecy blindly. In fact, the Bible encourages us to test prophecies. 1 Thes. 5:19-21 says “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good,”. This passage encourages us to be prayerful and discerning about what we have received in prophecy. Testing can also include sharing what we have received in prophecy to other people, asking them for their thoughts about what was shared. Here are a few questions that can help you test a prophecy…
Does the prophecy strengthen, encourage and/or comfort?
Does the prophecy agree with the mind and heart of God as revealed in the Bible?
Does the prophecy glorify Jesus?
Testing prophecy is another way that we maintain humility throughout this ministry. After prophesying to someone, you should always encourage them to pray about and test what you have shared.
