“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy”
— I CORINTHIANS 14:1

One of the things I love about the Lord is that He is always speaking. It’s a privilege to quiet our hearts to hear His voice and receive a specific word to pray over someone. A prophetic prayer, received through revelation from the Holy Spirit, can shift the spiritual atmosphere and bring breakthrough, direction, and hope as you declare God’s word for someone.

I Corinthians 14:1 says, “follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” We read further, in verse 3, that “the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort.”

God often gives a prophetic word or prayer by giving a timely Scripture, a mental picture or image, a dream while we sleep, or an open vision while we’re awake. When we tune our heart and mind into the heart of the Father, He communicates with us through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Praying prophetically changes circumstances and can bring needed miracles for God’s glory.

As I have fallen more in love with the Lord, I’ve become amazed by how He speaks and shares His heart of compassion with me for people. Moving in prophetic prayer has everything to do with surrendering and listening out of an intimate relationship with the Father.

I pray that God will release His gift of prophecy over those who eagerly desire to hear His heart and listen to His voice. I ask Him to use them to strengthen, encourage, and comfort the nations of the world and people in their communities.

REFLECTION
1. Reflect on John 1:27: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” How has God spoken to you? How do you recognize His voice as you pray? Journal your prayers as you sense what He is saying to you.
2. Ask the Father to begin to reveal specific words or Scriptures that are timely for others. Courageously share these with the people for whom they have been given.

Linda Gould leads the prayer ministry team and teaches prophetic ministry at Burlington Alliance Church in Burlington, Ontario, where her husband, Shane, is the lead pastor.

Photo credit: asleeponasunbeam via Visualhunt / CC BY-NC-ND