Since I retired a few months ago I have been working out, in theory and practice, how to go further and deeper in prophecy. In practice this looks like taking more risks, being more specific and, at times, anyway, more accurate. It also means learning how to hear God ‘in the moment’ rather than half an hour after it would have been useful! In other words I’m learning how to move on a stage in the prophetic.
So what have I learnt so far?
The sheep know my voice
John 10 : 4 “...his sheep follow him because they know his voice’
Hearing the voice of God more clearly is about learning to know Jesus better. Obvious of course but can’t be taken for granted. I have been inspired by many great prophets who all seem to spend huge amounts of time pursuing God. I don’t think there are any short cuts here!
Spontaneity needs discipline
Sounds contradictory but it means if I am to hear the voice of Jesus spontaneously, at the right moment, then I need to have been disciplined about spending time with Him beforehand. Time to listen is now in my calendar!
Go for the heart
We often think of prophecy as passing on God’s words, which it is of course, but there is more to it than that. If we are to be God’s faithful messengers we need to put across His heart not just His words. Jesus heart is to see people saved and restored and if we understand how God the Father feels about His children we can deliver what He wants to say with something of the same heart. I am finding it is much easier to get the specifics right if I understand the general, so I often ask God to tell me how He sees people and situations, not just what He wants to say.
Practice – lots
In everyday situations with trivial things like asking Jesus the colour of the next car to go past. There is no earthly use for this info except as practice in hearing Jesus, but it is fun trying. I am also trying to use hobbies and talents in a prophetic way. I am not a great baker but those who are can try baking cookies then asking Jesus who to give them to. Some of the current SSL students have done some great prophetic artwork. My talents are more in the needlework line and one of my hobbies is decorating bags, so I try to do this with someone in mind then give them a 'prophetic gift'.
Take more risks
This is a constant learning curve but a necessary one. Specific words involve bigger risks and take more courage to deliver, but often have more impact – see Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well in John 4. He told her she had had five husbands not just several. The very specific nature of this had a great impact on her and her whole village.
So I am currently trying to ask God for more specifics and taking more risks in different situations in and outside the church.
Moving on a stage is also the aim for students attending the SSL school. Not that we all reach the same point or the same level, but that we all move on a few steps. The current group of SSL students are doing this brilliantly - we have some great examples and testimonies!
