Explore How to Prophesy

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.

How YOU Can Prophesy (Part 2 of 2)

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.

Understanding How to Prophesy

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…

1. PRESS: "My people, know that I love you."
2. PRESS: "My goodness and mercy surround you."
3. PRESS: "Place your trust in Me, and I will not disappoint.
4. PRESS: "Know that… ."

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.

The Meaning of Prattle

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.

Be Yourself

Always be yourself. Don't attempt to model your prophesying after anyone else. Allow your own personality to shine through.

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.

Prophesying to the Church

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!

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!

Prophesying to Individuals

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!

Prophesying to Yourself

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.

Follow the Holy Spirit's Direction

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?"

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.

Ignore Outward Appearances

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.

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.

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.

Laying on Hands to Prophesy

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.

Proper Order When Prophesying

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.

If Anything Is Revealed

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.

You Are Always in Control

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.

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By Don Bell, follower of the Christ.

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Hi, I'm Don, and my prayer is that Kingdom Anointing™ will help you build faith, walk confidently in the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, and realize your full potential in the Kingdom of God.