LEARNING TO PROPHESY I believe God wants to raise up an army of women who, like Shirley Dobson, are sensitive to His voice. He wants to use us mightily in our families, our churches, our cities and even our nations to pray and speak His prophetic word into all kinds of circumstances.
How can you become part of that army? Start by eagerly desiring the spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. Allow God to stretch you in your prayer times, and trust Him to give you supernatural prayers that go beyond your natural knowledge.
Believe that God will teach you what you need to know so that you can begin to hear Him and share His word with others. It may sound strange, but we do need to learn to prophesy. By that I mean we must learn to become skilled at effectively sharing what God seems to be saying in a way that is in order and in His timing and that brings edification to all concerned.
Years ago, as my prophetic gift was beginning to emerge, I had a propensity for sticking my foot in my mouth (and in other people’s mouths, too, for that matter). Among my problems were harshness, bad timing in sharing prophecies and pride over the fact that I was the one hearing from God.
Of course, God wasn’t going to let me go on that way forever. When I finally cried out for help, He began sending people along my path to teach me and mentor me.
Now I like to return the favor. I often mentor young prophetic believers by taking them with me when I travel and asking them to pray with me.
“Cindy,” they invariably exclaim, “I knew what you were going to pray before it came out of your mouth!” They’re so excited to discover that the same Holy Spirit praying through me is also praying through them.
HERE AM I, SEND ME I remember the night long ago when God made my prophetic calling crystal clear to me. He reminded me of the prophecy that Peter quoted in Acts 2: “Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit” (vv. 17-18).
Then I sensed Him saying, “Cindy, if that prophecy is going to be fulfilled, I need some maidservants, and I have chosen you.”
I got down on my knees. “Here am I, Lord. Send me,” I responded.
Since that time, the road has not been easy. Much of my training has been difficult–even painful. And I am still learning.
Perhaps you are just starting off in the prophetic ministry, and you are wondering how you will ever make it. How will you possibly learn everything you need to know?
I believe I can boldly assure you that God will give you someone who can come alongside you to mentor you. Or, if you live in a place where there are no mentors, He will find another way to train you.
After all, it’s God’s desire and plan for His daughters to prophesy. If God has given you a prophetic gift, be faithful to develop it and use it for His glory. If you persevere, He will see that you receive all the training you need.
Cindy Jacobs is co-founder with her husband, Mike, of Generals International, an organization that builds prayer ministries throughout the world. Portions of this article were adapted from her book, The Voice of God. Published by Regal. Used by permission.
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