What’s been your experience with prophecy/prophetic ministry?
This is mainly for readers who’re following the prophecy discussion, but anyone can feel free to post a comment. Briefly describe any background you have in prophetic ministry, any experiences you’ve had (good and/or bad), etc. Newbies are welcome too! 
My story: I think I’ve always been prophetic but didn’t realize it for many years. When I was a kid, I could close my eyes and Scripture references would pop into my mind without any effort on my part. I remember this one time I was praying about stewarding my money or something (I was a serious little girl…) and I got a Bible reference. I didn’t really understand the verse when I looked it up—it was a passage in Isaiah—but my dad said it did have to do with money. I thought that was pretty cool.
But as I grew older, I forgot about my ability to listen to Holy Spirit in that way. I guess I became more “sophisticated.” Only when I came to Kansas City did I remember, ” Oh yeah—if I just quiet down and listen to the Spirit, He really does speak.” Whenever I prayed for people, I started to get Scripture references, pictures, or words of encouragement to speak to them. After a while of doing that, I realized I was prophetic. I just didn’t know too much about how to use my gift. I decided I wanted to learn. I took some practical training classes during my six-month One Thing Internship. I also undertook a big prophetic project: I resolved to get an encouraging word and/or verse for each member of my internship. Including interns, staff, and directors, I prophesied to several dozen people … gave them all little notecards with their words written on them. It was so much fun.
Probably the biggest step so far in my journey has been working with a prophecy team. I joined the Friday prophecy team last September. I have participated in prophetic ministry in that venue every Friday for a year now, and it has challenged and stretched me so much. I’m really learning to love the Church and see other believers the way the L-rd sees them.
I’m still learning the practicals of prophecy and am always happy to talk about it. My aim in this series of posts is to provide a safe environment for people like me, those who might not know too much about prophecy yet or are beginning to use their gift.
@ Jarrod: Thanks so much for posting that; it’s good to be able to see where you come from. Not that your experiences have been good; I’m genuinely horrified at what you’ve related.
It sounds like the people you know who’ve worked in prophecy meant well. But intentions alone don’t count in prophecy. It is the responsibility of the one giving the word to make sure they speak it accurately according to what they received, and to make sure they are not adding their own spin or declaring what they would like to happen in the person’s life.
Yes, it can be exciting to prophesy to somebody. But I am most often aware that I am speaking to someone the L-rd personally redeemed and loves. As you say, I feel the weight of responsibility. I do not treat prophecy lightly and hope I have never given that impression. I always desire to take the utmost care with what I prophesy and how I say it. I don’t want to leave a “mess” in the hearts of my brothers and sisters when I speak to them. I believe, as you do, that the Father hates false prophecy. He loves truth and wishes to build up the Church instead of tear it down.
But—and this is a big but—I don’t consider myself a prophet. Prophetic minister, yes. Prophet, no. And with that difference I believe comes a different allowance for maturing in the gift. A certain amount of “hamburger helper” prophecy may be expected in someone new to prophetic ministry—expected, but definitely not encouraged. Prophetic ministers must learn to accurately hear the Word and speak it in a way that does not harm the one hearing it. Immaturity in prophetic ministers can be very dangerous and harmful to other believers, no matter what intentions are, as your testimony shows. This is especially so if they are presenting their word as “thus saith the L-rd,” even though they’re just guessing at parts of it or (worst of all) making it up out of thin air and their own desires.
So what is the difference between “hamburger helper” prophetic words and harmful words? Why do I disagree with you about whether prophecy is different today than in the Old Testament? Whose responsibility is it if someone is emotionally/spiritually hurt during prophecy—the giver, the receiver, the ministry or organization providing the context? All are points of discussion, and ones I hope to cover this week. At least if my sinus infection decides to go away and let me type in peace. I’m sure I’ll see you then, Jarrod, as well as all of these students.
do prophetic ministers prophecy. or and i am not being sarcastic are they like phsycis and mediums who have to practice thier trade and grow in power. where in the word of God is there a distinction from prophet and prophetic minister? i am sure that some of the people i mentioned would not claim to be prophets just prophetic ministers but it doent change the out come of thier faulty prophecy. i know they accept the hamburger helper idea. which is great cause it gives them an excuse to keep hurting folks in Gods name. i would still say that saying peace peace when there is no peace is just as harmful as anything that i have mentioned above and i only gave a few examples cause i have been around awhile. also i would like to say that i still love these people and pray for them. i wish to see the glory of God fill thier lives. i will pray for your sinus infection i know they can really be no fun.
Hi Jarrod, I’m sorry I got so distracted … I completely forgot about the discussion we were having! (I blame the sinus infection.
) I’m fasting Internet for ten days, but I would like to resume the prophecy discussion when I return. Thanks so much for your patience.
no problem i got time. Lord willing.
Thanks man, you’re a blessing.
Hi, I’m a new reader. (A friend of Stephen.
I don’t know if I have the gift of prophecy or not. I have been given words from God on occasion, and truths meant to exhort my brothers or sisters in Christ (both good and cautionary), but would not say I am prophetic. But the gift I do have is the same gift Jarrod has as well – that is, the gift of discernment.
As the body needs to learn how to use every part in order to function properly as a whole, so the Church needs to rely on one another and our gifts. What Jarrod has been speaking needs to be taken very seriously, as it is his gift, meant to be used for the Church, which God has intended for its growth and maturation.
If anything has caused anyone here to be “puffed up” and thus refuse serious care or concern on something as if it has already been fully learned about, set it aside and look soberly into what has been said.
Hi Cormack, welcome to Standing on the Wall. Thanks for your comment. I appreciate your exhortation and I do take Jarrod’s concerns seriously. The discussion on prophecy has stretched out over several posts … I think the post with the latest comments is here.
I want to have a view of the prophetic that is soundly based on what the Bible says about it, instead of blindly accepting what other people say the Bible says about the prophetic. I am studying 1 Corinthians 12-14 right now toward that end and hope to resume the discussion on prophecy soon. I’d welcome your comments as well.
merry Christmas