Prophetic prayer is a form of intercessory prayer that involves listening to God’s voice and praying His words back to Him. It is prayer that is inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit. Prophetic prayer goes beyond just making requests to God, but seeks to align our prayers with His will and purposes.
The Biblical Basis for Prophetic Prayer
The Bible gives several examples of prophetic prayer and shows how God often spoke to His people giving them insight, revelation and guidance in how to pray.
In Jeremiah 33:3, God says “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” This shows God’s desire to reveal hidden things to His people through prayer.
The prophet Habakkuk stood upon his watch in prayer and waited to see what the Lord would say to Him (Habakkuk 2:1). He positioned himself to hear from God and receive revelation for his prayers.
In Acts 10, God gave Peter a vision that revealed His plans to open salvation to the Gentiles. This prophetic guidance shaped how Peter would pray and the actions he would take.
The Holy Spirit interceded through the apostle Paul in prayer “with groanings too deep for words” as he prayed according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27). Even when we do not know how to pray, the Spirit prays through us according to God’s perfect will.
From these examples, we see that prophetic prayer involves seeking God in prayer for insight, direction and revelation that goes beyond our own understanding and aligns our prayers with His purposes.
How Prophetic Prayer Works
In prophetic prayer, we rely on the Holy Spirit to provide guidance, direction and insight as we pray. Here are some keys to engaging in effective prophetic prayer:
1. Submitting to the Leading of the Holy Spirit: We approach God with open and humble hearts, laying down our own agendas and being sensitive to where He is leading us in prayer.
2. Listening to God: We learn to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit, as He speaks to our hearts through thoughts, impressions, pictures, scripture verses, dreams, visions or in audible ways. We tune to the Spirit’s voice.
3. Praying God’s Words Back to Him: As we receive divine leading, we boldly pray forth the very words, burdens and revelations that God has placed in our hearts. Our prayers align with His plans.
4. Interpretation: Sometimes the impressions we receive from God need interpretation. We can ask God for wisdom in properly understanding and applying what He shows us.
5. Confirmation: We look for scriptural confirmation and agreement in the body of Christ for prophetic guidance we receive. The Spirit’s voice will not contradict God’s written Word.
6. Obedience: When we receive prophetic direction in prayer, we walk in obedience to what God has spoken. His revelations are meant to shape our actions.
7. Release: As we pray prophetically, we release faith-filled prayer that cooperates with Heaven’s agenda and sees it established on earth. Our authority in Christ makes prophetic prayers powerful and effective.
When following these steps, our prayers are empowered by the Spirit and aligned with God’s will, even if we do not fully understand His strategy. Prophetic prayer is a valuable weapon for every believer desiring to pray with greater vision, passion and accuracy.
Old Testament Examples of Prophetic Prayer
There are many examples in the Old Testament of the prophets and other believers engaging in Spirit-led intercession and prophetic prayer:
– Moses repeatedly received strategic prophetic direction from God on how to lead, instruct and pray for the Israelites (Exodus 33:12-23).
– God frequently spoke to the prophet Samuel, directing him how to pray regarding key transitions in Israel’s leadership (1 Samuel 8:6-9, 10:1).
– Nathan the prophet was given a prophetic word to confront King David about his sin with Bathsheba ahead of time (2 Samuel 12:1-14).
– The prophets Elijah and Elisha often moved in the prophetic as they prayed, speaking God’s words over individuals and nations (1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 4-5).
– Elisha received revelation from God through prophetic visions and direction to pray, such as when he prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened to the heavenly armies (2 Kings 6:8-17).
– The prophet Habakkuk stood as a watchman in prophetic intercession, receiving revelation from God concerning His plans for the Chaldeans’ judgment (Habakkuk 2:1-20).
– Daniel consistently received prophetic dreams and visions from God that guided his prayers for Israel and the exile (Daniel 7, 9).
– Jeremiah received prophecies from the Lord on how to pray and intercede for Judah regarding the coming Babylonian captivity (Jeremiah 29:4-14).
These examples demonstrate how intimately connected prophetic revelation and strategic intercession were for key biblical leaders who walked closely with God. Their prayers powerfully shaped history.
New Testament Examples of Prophetic Prayer
Prophetic prayer continued in the New Testament era through the Holy Spirit who enabled a new intimacy in communicating God’s heart:
– Jesus demonstrated profound prophetic discernment in prayer as He regularly heard the Father’s voice (John 5:19, 30).
– Peter was led into prophetic ministry to Cornelius’ household through the Spirit’s direction in a vision (Acts 10).
– The believers at Antioch were given prophetic words during their times of prayer and fasting that launched Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-3).
– Agabus gave Paul prophetic warning of his coming imprisonment through symbolic action (Acts 21:10-14). This revelation enabled their strategic intercession.
– Directed by the Spirit, prayer meetings were held at John Mark’s house in Jerusalem to intercede prophetically for Peter’s miraculous release from prison (Acts 12:5, 12).
– Paul received prophetic direction, either through spiritual impression or audible word, to avoid Asia and Europe and instead go to Macedonia to advance the Gospel (Acts 16:6-10).
– The Holy Spirit interceded through Paul “with groanings too deep for words” according to God’s perfect will (Romans 8:26-27).
– John received overwhelming prophetic visions of God’s plans that shaped all his prayers and ministry, as recorded in Revelation.
As we follow in the footsteps of these early believers, we too can expect the Spirit to guide our prayers beyond our own wisdom into greater prophetic authority and fruitfulness.
Purposes of Prophetic Prayer
Here are some key divine purposes that are accomplished through prophetic prayer:
1. Revelation – We gain greater understanding of God’s plans, purposes, strategies, wisdom and heart for people and situations. Revelation fuels effective prayer.
2. Guidance – We receive specific direction on how to pray about issues or for people. Prophetic guidance makes our prayers more surgical and strategic.
3. Empowerment – Praying God’s words back to Him releases divine power and authority to see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven.
4. Destiny – Prophetic insight enables us to pray and release God’s prophetic destiny over people’s lives, churches, cities and nations.
5. Warning – God may reveal areas that need intercession, repentance or reconciliation. Prophetic warning enables timely intercession.
6. Encouragement – We gain divine perspective that fills us with hope and stirs our faith in God’s ability to respond to prayer.
7. Unity – The Spirit unites believers in intercession for His agenda. Prophetic prayer fosters unity in the body of Christ.
8. Spiritual Warfare – Prophetic discernment equips us to pray more specifically against demonic strongholds trying to block God’s plans.
9. Breakthrough – Hearing from God and decreeing His words, will and promises sustains prayer that prevails to see breakthrough against all odds.
God longs to reveal His heart to those who will pray it back to Him. Embracing prophetic prayer opens our lives to experience these divine purposes.
Keys to Growing in Prophetic Prayer
If you want to grow in prophetic prayer, here are some important things to keep in mind:
– Focus on Intimacy with God through consistent time in His Word and unhindered communion with the Holy Spirit during prayer. Depth in God precedes prophetic revelation.
– Refine Your Ability to Hear God by learning to recognize His voice apart from your own thoughts. Test what you hear against Scripture.
– Step Out as You Develop Sensitivity by boldly praying what you believe God puts on your heart. Expect Him to guide you even as you grow in discernment.
– Build Understanding of Prophetic Language as you gain experience. God often speaks symbolically. Ask Him for interpretation.
– Look for Confirmation by submitting what you sense God speaking to spiritual leaders for feedback. Humility and accountability help prophetic people.
– Start Small by applying what you believe God reveals in your personal prayer life. As you prove faithful, He will increase your influence.
– Operate from Love, not spiritual hype or activity. The true prophetic spirit demonstrates the heart of the Father.
– Watch your Motives. Pride and self-promotion have no place in prophetic intercession which highlights Jesus.
– Stay Anchored in God’s Word and the Spirit of Wisdom, not flaky or unbalanced. Remember the biblical roots of prophetic prayer.
– Move in Faith knowing your prayers truly make a difference as God releases His power in response to prophetic intercession!
Dangers of Prophetic Prayer
While prophetic prayer is vital and powerful, we must also recognize dangers to avoid:
– Pride – We can become puffed up by feeling we have a “hotline to God” others lack. Humility keeps us dependent on God’s grace.
– Manipulation – We should not use “God told me” to try to control people versus appealing to Scripture.
– Domination of Meetings – Prophetic people should follow leaders’ guidance on bringing words, not hijacking prayer times.
– Super-Spirituality – The truly prophetic point to Jesus, not highlight their gifts or create elitism.
– Soulish Predictions – Some impressions come from our own imagination or analysis, not the Spirit. We need wisdom and self-control.
– Shallow Revelations – One test is if a word bears good fruit in others’ lives and aligns with Scripture.
– Canonizing Modern Prophecy – Even true words should be weighed and judged. The Bible remains our highest authority.
– Crossing into Psychic – We must ensure we rely fully on the Holy Spirit, not demonic spiritual sources.
– Lack of Accountability – Submitting words and direction to leaders keeps things in proper biblical order.
By approaching prophetic prayer with humility, wisdom and checks and balances, we can avoid these pitfalls.
Tips for Stewarding Prophetic Words
When we receive what we believe to be prophetic revelation from the Lord during prayer, here are some tips that can help us be good stewards:
– Pray for Clarity to understand the meaning and proper application of God’s word. Ask Him for any needed interpretation.
– Write it Down and save it where you can review and recall what God spoke over time. Prophetic words often unfold progressively.
– Submit it for Confirmation from mature believers who know your life and character. Seek their feedback.
– Compare it to Scripture to test that it aligns with God’s nature and written Word. If not, be cautious embracing it.
– Wait on God’s Timing for fulfillment. Avoid trying to make something happen in your own strength, especially if it involves others.
– Walk in Humility. Remember that only the biblical canon is infallible. View words as pointers to Jesus, not celebrities.
– Look for Ways to Apply It. When God speaks, our natural response should be active obedience. How might He want this word applied?
– Give God Glory for every prophetic word that encourages and helps you. Thank Him for His personalized care and voice into your life and prayers.
Stewarding prophetic words with wisdom helps maximize their benefit while avoiding pride or passivity.
Benefits of Prophetic Prayer in Church Life
Prophetic prayer can powerfully strengthen the church when embraced in balanced biblical ways. Benefits include:
– Members gain confidence in hearing God’s voice through practice and training in prophetic prayer gatherings.
– Prophetic words stir vision, faith and passion in intercession for evangelism, revival in the church and spiritual breakthrough.
– Insight into spiritual strongholds and strategies to defeat them through targeted intercession.
– Specific guidance and direction to pray for the church, city and coming events or decisions.
– Unity as believers jointly submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading and release His words in prayer together.
– Encouragement to persevere as members gain divine perspective and hope through prophetic words or visions.
– Comfort receiving words of love, joy and tenderness from the Father through the voice of the Spirit.
– Healing and deliverance as prayer ministry disciples hear God’s wisdom on emotional and spiritual issues individuals face.
– Confirmation and affirmation of God’s calling over members’ lives through prophetic words.
– Sensitivity to sin and need for repentance as God exposes areas that hinder spiritual growth and anointing.
Leaders who steward prophetic prayer with wisdom can see it strengthen their church body tremendously!
Best Practices for Prophetic Prayer Ministry
Prophetic prayer can be incredibly beneficial in churches and ministries when handled with care and maturity. Some best practices include:
– Have Clear Guidelines communicated on the order of prophetic ministry times and the release and weighing of words given.
– Require Submission to Pastoral Authority. Words should align with and submit to the leaders’ vision and direction.
– Promote a Culture of Faith and Expectancy that God desires to speak while inviting testing of words given.
– Call for Maturity, Patience and Self-Control by prophets, not immature or showy behavior. Model humility.
– Emphasize Edification, Exhortation and Comfort as goals when giving prophetic words in ministry times.
– Provide Training for new prophetic people on stewarding gifts properly with wisdom and without pride or control.
– Limit Risk by allowing prophetic teams, not individuals, to give words at large gatherings where damage could occur.
– Require Accountability and Oversight of prophets by leadership. Have natural outlets for critique and feedback on words given.
– Distinguish Between Simple Impressions vs. Office of Prophet. Clarity in language avoids misunderstanding.
– Keep Jesus Central. All prophetic gifts point back to exalting Christ’s preeminence and Lordship.
With these best practices emphasized, churches can steer clear of prophetic abuses or chaos while nurturing healthy prophetic intercession. Lives are truly transformed when prophecy is done God’s way. His passion is made known through His people.