Key Takeaways
1. God's Voice is Active Today: Prophetic Callings are Diverse and Personal
"This book will not give you a specific formula describing the prophetic call and the way to hear the Voice of God."
Personal Revelation. God actively speaks to His children today, often through spontaneous "knowing" or direct inner communication, as evidenced by the author's childhood experiences of foreknowledge. This divine communication is not limited to a select few but is a living reality for believers. The journey to understanding one's prophetic calling is unique and unfolds over time, requiring patience and a willingness to wait on God's timing.
Diverse Callings. Prophetic callings manifest in various forms, such as psalmists, seers, or intercessors, each with distinct gift-mixes. The Lord prepares individuals through specific visitations and circumstances, molding them for their unique roles in His kingdom. Examples like Bill Hamon's conversion experience or Elizabeth Alves's early spiritual encounters highlight the varied paths to prophetic ministry.
Ongoing Affirmation. God consistently affirms His call through personal encounters, often at significant life junctures. These affirmations, like the author's return to her "huge rock" of remembrance, renew commitment and provide comfort during times of discouragement. The Lord's persistent voice guides believers, even when the full scope of their assignment is not immediately clear.
2. Prophetic Intercession: The Foundational Training Ground for Supernatural Insight
"Prophetic intercession is the ability to receive an immediate prayer request from God and pray about it in a divinely anointed utterance."
Supernatural Prayer. Prophetic intercession involves receiving direct prayer requests from God and responding with divinely anointed utterances, often surprising the intercessor with specific details. This form of prayer goes beyond natural knowledge, "bubbling up and gushing forth" from the Holy Spirit within. It serves as a primary way for prophetic gifts to emerge and develop.
Intercession's Link. All true prophets are intercessors, spending extensive time in intimacy with the Father, listening and praying. Biblical figures like Abraham, Moses, and Daniel exemplify this link, praying with prophetic insight for specific issues revealed by God. This deep connection to intercession is a crucial training ground, confirming one's ability to hear from God.
Watchman Role. Prophetic intercessors often function as watchmen, standing guard in prayer for people, cities, or nations. They discern enemy plans and God's strategies, acting as Jeremiah-type watchmen for prophetic proclamations, harvest watchmen overseeing spiritual growth, or warrior watchmen actively engaging in spiritual battle against darkness. This role is vital for averting disaster and securing God's purposes.
3. Integrity and Character: The Paramount Foundation for Authentic Prophetic Ministry
"It is critical to note that although someone may operate in a powerful way with the gift of prophecy, it does not necessarily mean he or she has character enough to be in a visible ministry."
Character Over Gifts. While prophetic gifts can be powerful, a prophet's character and integrity are far more important than their anointing. God intensely trains prophetic individuals to deal with flaws like arrogance, pride, and insecurity, often in less visible seasons of their lives. This refinement prevents the damage caused by "flaky" or unrefined prophetic expressions.
Areas of Integrity. God works on specific areas to build integrity in prophetic people, ensuring they are trustworthy vessels for His words. These include:
- Not exaggerating or adding to God's word.
- Being punctual and keeping commitments.
- Proper handling of finances and avoiding solicitation for prophecy.
- Speaking only the pure Word from God, untainted by personal biases.
This rigorous training ensures faithfulness in delivering divine messages.
Generational Purity. Prophetic accuracy can be "tainted" by generational sins and iniquities, such as occult involvement, secret societies, or defrauding God. These ancestral patterns can create weaknesses and bondages that affect a person's ability to hear purely. Identifying and repenting of these generational sins is crucial for cleansing the prophetic channel and breaking curses.
4. Discernment is Crucial: Testing Prophecy Against Scripture and Christ's Character
"A wise minister once told me that if you don't think you can be deceived you already are!"
Guarding Against Deception. In an era of rampant deception, rigorous discernment is essential for evaluating prophetic words. Believers must actively test all prophecies, recognizing that not every "God told me" statement is genuinely from the Lord. This vigilance protects against both intentional deception and innocent misinterpretation.
Testing Guidelines. Prophecies must be carefully vetted using several biblical criteria:
- Scriptural Alignment: Does it align with God's written Word in principle and character?
- Christ's Character: Does it reflect the love, kindness, and redemptive nature of Jesus?
- Prophet's Fruit: Does the life of the person giving the prophecy bear good fruit, or are there hidden sins or double standards?
- Tainting: Is the word influenced by personal biases, critical spirits, or religious agendas?
- Inward Witness: Does the Holy Spirit provide an inner "resonance" or a "check in your spirit"?
These tests help distinguish divine communication from human or demonic sources.
Responding Wisely. Once a prophecy is deemed authentic, a wise response involves careful interpretation and application. This includes recording the word, seeking counsel from spiritually mature elders, avoiding self-serving interpretations, discerning God's timing for fulfillment, and actively warring in prayer over the promises. Rushing ahead of God or misinterpreting a word can lead to significant problems.
5. New Testament Prophecy: Redemptive, Edifying, and Accessible to All Believers
"Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."
Redemptive Focus. New Testament prophecy is primarily redemptive, speaking to an individual's destiny in a life-bringing and freeing way. It aims to comfort, encourage, and build up, even when delivering corrective words. This approach, exemplified by Nathan's parable to David or Gabriel's message to Mary, fosters hope and leads to repentance rather than condemnation.
Universal Access. Unlike the Old Testament where prophecy was limited to a select few, the New Testament emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is poured out on "all flesh," enabling "sons and daughters" to prophesy. This means every believer has the potential to hear from God and, at times, to speak prophetically, making prophecy a widespread and encouraged gift in the Church.
Three Functions. The core purpose of New Testament prophecy is to:
- Edify: Build up and strengthen the Body of Christ.
- Exhort: Encourage and stir believers to action or deeper commitment.
- Comfort: Bring solace and reassurance, especially during times of stress or discouragement.
These functions ensure that prophecy serves to uplift and guide the church, fostering growth and spiritual well-being.
6. Mentoring: Cultivating Prophetic Gifts and Bridging Generational Gaps
"God is looking for fathers and mothers in the faith who will be willing to pay the price to learn how to mentor and parent the new generation of powerful leaders God is raising across the world."
Spiritual Parenting. Mentoring is crucial for the healthy development of prophetic gifts, providing spiritual parenting to emerging leaders. Many generations suffer from a lack of spiritual fathers and mothers, leading to dysfunction and unfulfilled potential. God seeks those willing to invest in and raise up the next generation of leaders.
The Elijah Principle. The "Elijah Principle" (Malachi 4:5-6) highlights the need for spiritual fathers to turn their hearts to the children, and vice versa, to heal generational divides. Mentors, like Paul to Timothy, provide timely advice, model Christ-like character, and create opportunities for growth, often risking their own reputations to promote their protégés. This fosters a healthy succession of leadership.
Challenges and Growth. Both mentors and protégés face challenges in these relationships, including pride, stubbornness, insecurity, and rejection. Mentors must discern when to correct, when to empower, and when to allow protégés to learn from their own mistakes. Protégés, in turn, must cultivate a teachable spirit, humility, and submission to authority, understanding that God uses testing and waiting to temper their gifts.
7. Spiritual Protocol: Ensuring Order and Effectiveness in Prophetic Expression
"For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."
Order in Ministry. God is a God of order, and prophetic ministry must adhere to established spiritual protocol to avoid confusion and division. Disruptions, like the angry outburst at the "Love L.A." meeting, undermine unity and discredit genuine prophetic expression. Respect for authority and the flow of a service are paramount.
Submission to Authority. Prophetic individuals must submit to delegated spiritual authority within their local church, recognizing that pastors and elders are responsible for overseeing the flock. This submission is not to abuse, but to the position, allowing leaders to discern the timing and appropriateness of prophetic words. Refusal to submit can lead to an "Absalom spirit" of rebellion and cause significant harm.
Church-Specific Guidelines. Each church may have its own unwritten or written protocols for public prophecy, which visitors and members must respect. These guidelines, whether for Sunday services or smaller gatherings, ensure that prophetic words are delivered in a manner that edifies the congregation and aligns with the church's vision. Understanding these cultural nuances is key to effective prophetic ministry.
8. Releasing Prophecy: Courage, Timing, and Clarity in Communication
"I have learned that if I open my mouth, the Lord will fill it with His words."
Courage to Speak. Releasing a prophetic word often requires overcoming personal fear and trusting God to speak through you, even when the message is unclear or intimidating. The Lord honors a willingness to be a "fool for Him," and with practice, the initial trepidation gives way to a deep sense of peace and satisfaction. This courage is essential for stepping into one's prophetic calling.
Discerning Timing. Knowing when to release a prophetic word is as crucial as receiving it. A strong anointing does not always mean immediate delivery; sometimes, a word is meant for intercession or a later season. Prophecies should align with the flow of the service, be confirmed by leaders, and, if corrective, be delivered privately with humility and love.
Clarity and Accountability. Prophetic words should be communicated clearly, avoiding excessive symbolism or "Christianese" that can confuse listeners. It's wise to record prophecies for accountability and to preface words with humility ("I am sensing this") rather than absolute authority ("Thus says the Lord"), especially for those new to the gift. Learning from mistakes, like Nathan's initial counsel to David or Jonah's unfulfilled prophecy, is vital for growth.
9. Dreams and Visions: God's Pictorial Language for Guidance and Warning
"In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction."
Divine Communication. Dreams and visions are powerful biblical channels through which God speaks, offering warnings, direction, comfort, and deep emotional healing. These "night visions" or waking "pictures" often bypass conscious interference, providing profound insights that can alter personal lives and national histories, as seen in Joseph's dreams or Matthew's accounts.
Interpreting and Responding. Spiritual dreams are typically vivid and memorable, requiring careful attention. When receiving a prophetic dream or vision:
- Discern the Source: Ask if it's from God, as deceptive or tormenting dreams can occur.
- Record Details: Write down the dream immediately to preserve its specifics.
- Seek Interpretation: Pray for understanding or ask a trusted interpreter.
- Share Wisely: Be cautious about sharing too soon, especially if the dream seems grandiose or sensitive.
- Seek Guidance: If it indicates a major life change, confirm with spiritual authority.
- Pray for Warnings: If it's a warning, intercede to avert potential disaster.
This process ensures responsible engagement with divine revelation.
Open vs. Inner Visions. Visions vary in intensity:
- Open Visions: Appear as real as physical surroundings, like angelic visitations (e.g., Cornelius seeing an angel).
- Inner Visions: More subtle, like pictures or flashes of insight in the mind (e.g., finding a lost passport).
Trances are deeper experiences, often used by God to break through deep-seated resistance, as with Peter's vision on the rooftop. These diverse forms demonstrate God's varied ways of communicating.
10. Diverse Prophetic Styles: Unique Manifestations for God's Purposes
"Prophets and prophetesses are diverse, each one having a unique style, flavor and calling."
Unique Expressions. Prophetic gifts manifest in a wide array of styles and callings, reflecting the diverse nature of God's communication. Identifying one's specific prophetic style helps in understanding how God intends to use them. This diversity ensures that all aspects of God's will can be communicated effectively.
Categories of Prophets. Prophetic people can operate in various capacities:
- Seers: Receive prophetic words primarily through pictures and visions (e.g., Ezekiel).
- Governmental Prophets: Discern trends and prophesy concerning national and world affairs (e.g., Daniel).
- Counseling Prophets: Offer supernatural insight and grace-filled counsel in personal situations (e.g., Nathan).
- Weeping Prophets: Intercede with deep, godly sorrow for nations (e.g., Jeremiah).
- Prophetic Dreamers: Receive frequent, clear direction and warnings through dreams.
- Singing Prophets/Psalmists: Express prophecies through spontaneous songs (e.g., David).
- Prophets of Administration/Finance: Receive supernatural strategies for economic systems (e.g., Joseph).
- Prophets to the Nations: Called to minister globally, prophesying historical changes.
- Prophetic Orators/Teachers: Communicate God's messages through revelatory teaching (e.g., Isaiah).
- Prophets to the Local Church: Hear accurately for their local congregations.
- Deborah Anointing: Prophetesses with wisdom, counsel, and warrior spirits.
Each style contributes uniquely to the Body of Christ.
Strategic Function. These diverse prophetic gifts function to awaken saints, provide governmental direction, sound alarms during transitions, prepare the way for God's visitations, and bring clarity in difficult times. Strategic prophetic churches and leaders are often linked to maximize their impact, demonstrating God's comprehensive plan for His people.
11. Warring in the Heavenlies: Prophetic Intercession for Nations and Cities
"The Church's eyes are becoming wide open to the fact that they do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers."
Unseen Battles. Prophetic ministry is crucial for engaging in spiritual warfare, recognizing that battles are fought in an unseen realm against demonic principalities and powers. Events like the Brazil vs. Italy World Cup match illustrate how spiritual forces contend behind natural occurrences, with prophetic intercession influencing outcomes and bringing God glory.
Prophetic Watchmen. God is raising up prophetic watchmen to expose Satan's schemes and prophesy against the strongholds over cities and nations. These individuals, like the prophets of old, discern the spiritual climate of regions and cry out against the worship of false gods and demonic influences. Their role is catalytic in bringing societal and cultural change.
Regional Assignments. Prophetic people are strategically positioned in geographic regions to pray prophetically for their assigned areas. Visions, like Rolland Smith's of angels delivering assignments, reveal God's global strategy to deploy faithful servants to every part of the world. These intercessors develop prayer and evangelism strategies for nations, leading to significant breakthroughs and mass conversions.
12. Identificational Repentance: Breaking Generational Curses and Healing Lands
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Corporate Sin's Impact. Nations, like individuals, carry corporate sins and generational iniquities that can lead to spiritual oppression, economic decline, and resistance to the gospel. These sins, such as broken treaties, slavery, or idolatry, give Satan legal rights to blind the eyes of millions. Prophetic voices are essential for identifying these historical wounds.
Healing the Land. God desires to "heal their land" (rapha) from the effects of corporate sin. This healing is facilitated through "identificational repentance," where believers humble themselves and repent on behalf of their nation's past sins, as Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah did. This act breaks Satan's legal hold and opens the way for God's blessing.
Strategic Breakthroughs. Identificational repentance, coupled with spiritual mapping and targeted prayer, leads to dramatic breakthroughs. Examples like the repentance in Japan for World War II atrocities, or the breaking of the Queen of Heaven stronghold in San Nicholas, Argentina, demonstrate how these actions release open heavens, bring unity, and result in widespread receptivity to the gospel.
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