How to prophesy is on the minds of many believers as they desire to please God by stepping out in faith to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prophesying is a powerful way to edify the church and deliver God's messages to His people. When you prophesy, you are speaking words inspired by the Holy Spirit, bringing encouragement, comfort, and direction to those who hear.
By Don Bell | Reading Time 12 minutes.
Prepare for learning how to prophesy by praying privately in tongues to build up your faith beforehand (Jude 1:20). Then, when you are with fellow believers and sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to prophesy, step out in faith and the inspired words will flow from your mouth.
You'll know it's inspired by the Holy Spirit and not something you're making up. That's the difference between someone who lacks understanding of the gift and memorizes Bible verses for material to draw on.
What they prophesy might sound inspired to an uninformed ear, but it's delivered naturally, not supernaturally. Because it's merely a word delivered in the flesh, it lacks God's supernatural anointing, and it fails to edify those who hear it.
Picture a PEZ® candy dispenser.1 Each time you PRESS its button, out pops another candy. Prophesying is similar, since the prophetic word is uttered one word or phrase at a time, as it's spoken by faith.
Expect the Holy Spirit to start you with a word or phrase. Speak it, and another phrase will be given. Speak it, and another phrase will be given, and so on.
For example…
Continue speaking until you sense there's no more phrases to be added. Then, you'll know it's time to stop. If you continue prophesying beyond the Spirit's prompting, you'll find yourself tripping over your words and repeating yourself as your mind tries to compensate.
I came across a remarkable prophecy in The Old Testament that accurately describes how to prophesy. While it directs a rebuke at people who were not wanting to hear the prophet's words, it offers us insight into the process of prophesying.
The Prophet Micah prophesies, "'Do not PRATTLE,' you say to those who prophesy. So they shall not prophesy to you; …" (Micah 2:6, emphasis added).
The Hebrew word נָטַף (nâṭap̱) translated as PRATTLE means to distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops, to speak by inspiration. The process of distillation, to "fall in drops" perfectly describes prophesying, the speaking of one inspired word or phrase at a time.
Expect your words to come slowly when you first prophesy. You may find yourself pausing between the phrases, as they are composed on your tongue, but your delivery will improve as you gain confidence through experience.
Always be yourself. Don't attempt to model your prophesying after anyone else. Allow your own personality to shine through.
I once had a prophetic word spoken over me at a camp meeting in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was delivered by a prophet who was clearly from South Carolina. "Y'all hear me now," he began, and the anointed word was prophesied entirely in the Southern dialect.
Speak clearly and loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. Speak confidently in the first person; for example, "My people, I love you with an everlasting love."
Remember, you are speaking a prophetic word directly from God to people, only you won't know what the prophecy is until you've finished prophesying it nor will they.
Some believers are more fluent than others who prophesy simply because some are naturally more fluent in everyday speaking and that reveals itself. However, it's the inspired message that's important, and you can prophesy just as well as the more fluent person.
Be careful not to pressure yourself when learning how to prophesy, as it's not the speed of delivery or how many words are spoken that's important; it's whether the prophetic message is inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Paul instructs, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. …" (2 Timothy 4:2). It's the same with prophesying. You don't wait to be inspired. The Holy Spirit is within you; you have the gift and inspiration to prophesy the moment He prompts you.
When He prompts you to prophesy, simply know it's time. Don't expect to always "feel" something. You will know. Don't wait for a lightening bolt from Heaven or you'll never prophesy!
Don't be over cautious! I can recall times of being too nervous to prophesy and when I finally built up enough courage, the meeting had changed direction and the opportunity was lost, along with someone's blessing. Prepare yourself ahead of time and just resolve to do it!
With experience, you'll know when to step out and when to hold back. You must never interrupt the flow of a meeting or speak over someone who's already sharing something. Wait for an opening and jump in. If there's no clear opening, then ask God to create one.
If the church or gathering does not permit using the gifts of the Spirit, then do NOT prophesy. Never go against the leaders' authority! Otherwise, it's easier for gifts of the Spirit to operate in meetings that allow quiet times for the gifts to manifest. Formal, structured meetings quench the flow of the Holy Spirit.
Although you can prophesy in almost every meeting, never monopolize. Encourage other believers by allowing them to have opportunities to share. Sometimes, blessings are missed when people are hindered from moving in the Spirit to deliver a gift.
Leaders are called to draw spiritual gifts out of the people and to give opportunities for the Spirit to move and bless without being caught in a format that quenches Him.
We read in Scripture, "Whenever you come together, EACH OF YOU has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification" (1 Corinthians 14:26, emphasis added).
When the Holy Spirit is flowing, leaders need to be sensitive and allow the gifts of the Spirit to manifest. The so-called main speaker should never monopolize the service and interrupt the flow of the Holy Spirit!
A prophecy can touch the heart bringing comfort and assurance that God sees the person's need when nobody else is aware. A creative prophetic word can impart an anointing that brings profound change.
We've often no idea what someone needs, but God knows. Someone may need assurance that God loves them, or they may need confirmation that they're following the right path. Let God decide what's needed by prophesying His word to them as the Holy Spirit prompts.
NEVER seek out anyone to offer a prophetic word. Not everybody has a heart to receive. Follow the Holy Spirit's direction and wait for His prompting. He knows who will be receptive.
NEVER prophesy in exchange for something of value, whether it's to appear spiritual, to earn someone's favor, or to a please a friend. Only prophesy when you're prompted by the Holy Spirit.
Once you become proficient in prophesying, you may find people coming to you seeking a word from God. If the Holy Spirit prompts that it's okay to prophesy, then go ahead. Otherwise, politely refuse.
Why would God refuse a prophetic word to someone? We won't know God's reasons unless he gives us a word of knowledge. Maybe the person is depending too much on prophecies.
Some believers attend meeting after meeting anxiously hoping for a word of direction instead of learning to hear God's voice for themselves. Prophecy is not for divination!
Self prophecies are NOT recommended. It's all too easy to be biased and twist the message to our advantage. There may be times when God gives us a prophetic word through our own mouths in times of great need, but it's rare.
We are told to edify ourselves by speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:4), not through prophecy. We are edified through prophecies delivered by other believers in the Body of Christ; that's why ALL can prophesy.
There will be some prophecies you wouldn't have given if you could have known their content beforehand. Truly, it's often a blessing that we don't know what we're about to prophesy. There are times that you find yourself thinking, "How does this make sense? What am I saying?"
The service had ended, and the Holy Spirit was prompting me to prophesy to a member of the congregation. The lady was known to me, but I had no idea where she was seated among several hundred people. I only knew that she must be present, or the Holy Spirit wouldn't be prompting me.
Threading my way along aisles filled with people, I soon saw her and approached. I explained that God had a prophetic word for her and asked if she would like to hear it. She said yes, and I began to prophesy.
While delivering the brief prophecy, I heard myself saying, "I will envelope you with my love." I felt embarrassed and thought, ENVELOPE? I should have used the word envelop. I was about to offer a correction when I noticed tears welling in the lady's eyes.
She explained that moments earlier, she saw a white ENVELOPE in a vision. It was addressed to her, and it contained a letter that expressed her Heavenly Father's love for her.
The prophecy confirmed what she had seen. God did ENVELOPE her with His love! Prophecies are born on the tongue, and unknown to us, a single inspired word can sometimes carry great meaning to the recipient.
Sometimes the prophecy will address a topic that someone will teach on, confirming the teaching that's to come. And sometimes the prophecy will answer questions that you or someone else had before the meeting.
When prophesying to large groups or to an individual, don't become distracted by outward appearance. Smiles are worn by some individuals to mask their deep hurt. Someone might appear joyful and full of the Spirit, and all the while they're feeling defeated and in need of God's comfort and confirmation.
Large groups can be especially intimidating when you're not used to public speaking, and often their response can be difficult to discern. The best advice is to focus on prophesying.
I had taken my family on the 1993 Benny Hinn Holy Land Tour, and our bus stopped at Tabgha on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee at the foot of the Mount of Beatitudes.
It's the traditional location where Jesus fed the five thousand (Mark 6:30-44), and where He cooked breakfast for the disciples after the Resurrection (John 21:9-14), so people in our group gathered round to read the Scriptures next to The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter.
As the readings ended, I sensed a strong nudge from the Holy Spirit to prophesy. There were American pastors present and a crowd of people unknown to me from several buses, so I was more than a little nervous. However, I know the Holy Spirit, and I know the sense of regret that comes from not heeding Him, so I focused on the waves lapping the shoreline and began to prophesy.
I cannot recall the exact words of the prophecy, but it had to do with Jesus' abiding presence, His love for each of us in the Body of Christ, and His coming again as King. Afterwards, people quietly ambled off to their buses, and I remained standing near the shoreline, feeling a bit self-conscious.
An American man approached. "Thank you," he said, his voice breaking, tears rolling down his face. "I so needed to hear that message from the Lord. I want you to know that this is the highlight of my trip. I'd have flown to Israel just to hear that prophecy."
I was taken aback. The inspired words had penetrated his heart and brought change to his life. The man was greatly blessed, while I received needed encouragement through hearing his words.
Whenever the Holy Spirit prompts you to prophesy or use one of His other gifts, please do not ignore Him! You never know how much it might encourage someone, and offer them hope.
People in recognized leadership roles also have needs, so don't fear their faces. Be open to what God might have for them. If the word delivered is inspired by God, they will gladly receive it and be appreciative.
The church we attended welcomed a Southern pastor from Georgia as a frequent guest speaker. The man of God had a prophet's anointing, and I confess that I felt nervous when the Holy Spirit prompted me to prophesy over him.
After the evening's meeting, people surrounded him with their goodbyes, so I needed to wait. As soon as he was alone, I quickly walked forward before I could talk myself out of it.
He knew me, so I simply said, "The Lord has a message for you." He nodded, and I placed my hand on his shoulder and prophesied. When I had started speaking, it was unlike any prophecy I had ever delivered.
It was to be my first and only prophecy given in rhyme. Know that I am not a fan of poetry; it's just not my thing. However, for whatever reason, God gave me the following words:
I'm holding your heart with My cords of love,
Your strength to stand, it comes from above.
While walking forward, don't fear don't fret,
For I hold the future, it's not over yet.
I'll push and prod you, I'll bring it all to pass,
You may even need to fall off an ass.
For it's My plan you see, it's all written down,
You, my son, will take your town.
And don't even think you'll be stopping there,
For I'm going to put you on the air.
You'll reach many souls, many will be blessed,
And you'll do it all walking in My rest.
When I spoke the words, "You may even need to fall off an ass," an anointing swept over both of us, and we doubled up with holy laughter.
The line refers to the Prophet Balaam whose donkey prevented him from missing God's will (2 Peter 2:15, 16). I believe it was meant to caution the man of trying times and difficult choices preceding the fulfillment of God's plan.
"I'm going to put you on the air" suggested radio or television to our natural way of thinking. However, within four years he was flying "on the air" to Europe to pastor a church where many souls were reached and many were blessed, fulfilling the prophecy.
Sometimes, there's a cryptic aspect to prophetic words, and it's only after an event unfolds that it can be understood as a confirmation.
When you lay your hands on somebody to prophesy, it not only imparts anointing, but it indicates beyond doubt to whom the prophecy is for. It will not be for someone across the room, despite what some might think.
You cannot lay claim to someone else's prophecy simply because it appeals to you. God brings the word that He has chosen for the person or persons He has chosen. He doesn't make mistakes.
Learning how to prophesy is one thing, but learning when to speak is another. Paul says, "You can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged" (1 Corinthians 14:31). ALL includes men, women, and young people, but each must prophesy in turn to avoid the confusion of people speaking over one another.
Paul recommends, "Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge [whether the prophecy is inspired of God]" (1 Corinthians 14:29). The two or three prophets could be prophesying to the group or to individuals within the group.
Why two or three? Paul isn't saying there cannot be more than three prophesying, depending on the leading of the Holy Spirit, but after three prophecies, what God wanted said has most likely been said, and the messages can become repetitive.
Also, limiting to three prophecies permits other believers the opportunity to share their gifts for the edification of the Church.
Paul says, "If anything is REVEALED to another who sits by, let the first keep silent (1 Corinthians 14:30, emphasis added).
His use of the word REVEALED indicates this verse hasn't to do with prophecy. Paul is referring to the manifestation of one of the REVELATION gifts: word of knowledge, word of wisdom, or discernment of spirits.
You may hear someone say, "I had that same prophetic word." No! Prophecy is spoken phrase-by-phrase as it's inspired by the Holy Spirit, so they could not have known what the message was unless they had first spoken it.
If someone had received something, it was likely REVELATION from God that was meant for them, and they should keep silent to avoid confusing others.
Paul reminds, "The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints" (1 Corinthians 14:32,33).
We are always in control of what we say or don't say or how we say it. Never be casual about prophesying or when operating any gift of the Spirit for that matter. People have been hurt and led astray by invalid words supposedly from God but actually coming from the biased mind of an individual.
We can choose to be obedient to the Holy Spirit's prompting and prophesy an inspired word for the Body of Christ, or we can choose not to. The Holy Spirit doesn't force us to do anything against our will nor will He force us to do anything that will bring a reproach on Him.
It all comes down to choice! Are you willing to learn how to prophesy? If your answer is yes, then "Let us prophesy in proportion to our faith" (Romans 12:6) and bless the Body of Christ.
Endnotes
1 PEZ® is a registered trademark of PEZ Candy, Inc.
End of the 2-part series: The Gift of Prophecy.
By Don Bell, follower of the Christ.