Prophetic Ministry

The Basics

  • What is prophecy?

    A message inspired by God that’s delivered through another person. It’s encouragement, comfort, and motivation from the Holy Spirit to you personally. It’s a glimpse of God’s thoughts and intentions toward you.

  • Is prophecy the same as _____?

    It’s not ESP, channeling, psychic reading, or any other form of divination. It’s not human intuition or perception, nor is it a self-help message. Prophecy never contradicts scripture, but it’s not biblical exposition or a personalized sermonette.

  • Who are the ministers?

    Everyday believers who learned to be led by the Holy Spirit. They’re not full-time prophets, and have no special standing or privilege. To ensure a high degree of excellence, they’re required to have years of experience in prophetic ministry and/or specialized training. But they’re still only “spiritual water boys,” delivering God’s encouraging message to you.

  • Can I trust prophetic words?

    Not blindly. There are several scriptural principles for testing prophecy, the core of which are summarized by the “Five Musts” (listed below). If a prophetic word fails any of these tests, discard it. If you’re unsure, keep it on your “testing shelf” (wait and see until God reveals more to you, without jumping to conclusions). Test every prophetic word you receive.

    
- Must line up with the Bible, and the nature and character of Jesus (Heb 4:12, Rev 19:10b)


    - Must bring edification, wisdom, and order (1 Cor 8:1b, 1 Cor 14:4, Jas 3:17)


    - Must bear inner witness (your spirit and the Holy Spirit must
 agree, bringing peace and confirmation) (1 Cor 14:33)

    
- Must bear witness to other godly believers, if shared (1 Cor 14:29, 2 Cor 13:1b)

    
- Must be fulfilled in God’s timing (John 14:29)

Instructions

  • What should I bring?

    - Electronic recording device (e.g. smartphone set to airplane mode)


    - Openness and expectation to hear from God

  • Can I ask specific questions?

    God loves answering our questions, but prophecy is not a “magic 8 ball” or spiritual vending machine. It may not always address pressing concerns, but prophecy will help you grow closer to God (who has the insight you need). Seek intimacy, not answers, and you’ll get the answers you need.

  • What happens during ministry?

    The ministers will ask God what’s on His heart to share with you, and will prophesy as He inspires them. There may be periods of silence while they wait to see, hear, and understand what God is showing or telling them to encourage you. Save questions and comments until the end to ensure a clean recording.

  • What happens after ministry?

    It will be your responsibility to transcribe your recording into a prophetic words journal. (This can be tedious, but it’s an extremely valuable part of the process). God will confirm and deepen prophetic words over time, so keep them organized and available for easy reference.

  • Should I obey prophetic words?

    Never act on prophecy alone; it should be confirmed by “two or three witnesses” (scripture, godly fellowship, dreams/visions, inner witness, etc.). Even after it passes all of the tests, don’t jump to conclusions. Always ask God if, how, and when you should respond.

  • Who do I contact with other questions?

    Josh McKoy (Prayer Team Leader) – josh.b.mckoy@gmail.com

John 5:19 NKJV – Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.”

John 12:49 – For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.

John 14:29 – And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.

1 Corinthians 8:1b AMP – Knowledge [alone] makes [people self-righteously] arrogant, but love [that unselfishly seeks the best for others] builds up and encourages others to grow [in wisdom].

1 Corinthians 14:3 AMP – But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them].

1 Corinthians 14:4 AMP – One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church [promotes growth in spiritual wisdom, devotion, holiness, and joy].

1 Corinthians 14:29 AMP – Let two or three prophets speak [as inspired by the Holy Spirit], while the rest pay attention and weigh carefully what is said.

1 Corinthians 14:33 AMP - for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.

2 Corinthians 13:1b – “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

James 3:17 – But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Revelation 19:10b – For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Guiding Scriptures