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The Power of A Prophetic Word



1 Corinthians 14:39 – “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.”

We are called to be a prophetic people. Throughout the pages of Scripture, God seeks to communicate with His children.  Matthew 11:15 says, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  We need to hear what the Lord is saying today.  God speaks through His Word, through dreams and visions, in a still small voice, and through His servants.

In Acts 2:17 Peter preached the inaugural sermon of the New Testament Church.  He made this prophetic declaration, “‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.”  We are called to be a prophetic people.  II Peter 1:4 reads, “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

What is the purpose of a prophetic word?  The Apostle Paul defines the role of prophecy in the church in 1 Corinthians 14:3, “But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.”Prophetic ministry is designed by God to build up, encourage, and comfort the people of God.  Dr. Chuck Pierce in his book, When God Speaks, defines prophesy as “speaking the mind and heart of God as revealed by the Holy Spirit.  Prophecy is the outflow of the heart and the very nature of God.”[i]

A prophetic word can be powerful.  The enemy condemns, tears down, and seeks to bring people into bondage. Prophecy will encourage the believer to pursue righteousness, holiness, faithfulness, endurance, and comfort.  Prophecy can also be a warning to God’s people.   Rob Winters, in his Prophecy Manual, gives the following reasons why prophecy is so important.
  • Prophecy is a heavenly invitation to a divine destination.
  • Encourages
  • Defines Destiny (Speaks to our potential).
  • Infuses Hope
  • Rebukes and Admonishes (Luke 3:7-9,18)[ii]
The Apostle Paul encourages the believer to “pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”  

[i] Pierce, Chuck, Sytsema, Wagner, Rebecca, When God Speaks, Wagner Publications, Colorado Springs, CO, 2003, page 19.
[ii] Winters, Rob & Kay, Prophetic Ministry Training Seminar, Prepare the Way Int., Phoenix, AR, 2010, page 6.

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