Those prophetic words
Call me cynical but I have always questioned “prophetic words”. Even during years involved in local prayer ministries strongly influenced by larger prophetic ministries, I questioned. I wanted to believe. Who doesn’t want to believe in inheritance, new beginnings and a great harvest even if we have to endure repentance, sifting and persecution? But I never could bring myself to truly believe. It all seemed like a lot of emotional hype and waiting for God to show up. So, then there is the question, that there must be something wrong with me. All these other people believed, year after year of recycled prophecies. The Year of Grace. The Year of Open Doors. The Year of Transformation.
Eventually I left and entered a year of my own. I call it the Year of Hell*. Actually, the Year of Hell started before I left but when I quickly, very quickly, learned that while my life was falling apart, the only thing these people of God could offer me was a pat on the shoulder and a promise of prayer, I turned away from it all. They were too busy praying and fasting for vision, for anointing, for revival to sit with a broken hearted believer, to counsel a failing marriage, to give to an empty bank account. We are so good at the esoteric but not so good at the practical, hands on things that will make a difference in people’s lives.
The questions I ask myself are the same. Where is our responsibility? What are WE supposed to be DOING? There has to be more than just sitting and praying for some huge manifestation of God, right? At least now, I don’t feel like I am lesser in my faith for questioning and for not believing these prophetic words.
And it’s good to know I am not alone:
Read it. Read the posts she links to. Read the comments. It’s all a good word.
A few favorite quotes:
Andrew Hamilton: I began pondering why we crave this revival experience and I wonder if it because we are too lazy to get off our own butts and get involved with the people in the communities we live in . . .
Steve Hill: The gospel of the Kingdom only has power as it is demonstrated and declared outside the four walls of our comfort zones! Much of the fervor of the spiritual warfare movement is simply the avoidance of doing the now work in the fields.
Kingdom Grace: We cannot stay bunkered in our walls praying for revival. How can we accept that mentality when Jesus’ example and command is to go? We have not been given a blueprint for spiritually mapping revival. Our blueprint is to be among those who need to hear the gospel of the kingdom, befriending them and intertwining our lives with theirs. To continue to pray for revival without immersing our lives among the lost is ridiculous.
“Get ready, friends…God is preparing us for something really, really-small.”
Shane Claiborne
* When people around me didn’t respond to the incredibly difficult circumstances we were going through, I diminished the impact in my mind. I had really convinced myself that all of it must not have been that bad. Only recently, when I shared all that had happened with some other friends … unchurched friends by the way … their look of shock as I told situation piled on situation piled on situation revealed to me how bad it was. By diminishing the difficulties, I had also diminished the value of having survived and not only surviving but conquering, healing and forgiving.
~~Grace and Peace~~
Related Tags: prophetic word
“Get ready, friends…God is preparing us for something really, really-small.”
Haha! This made me laugh out loud! I loved this post and I love your focus
I, too, grew profoundly tired of those prophetic words…the ones that were always the same, but never came to pass. I like being prepared for something small…because what is small to me might still be big to God.
Surely we are twins separated at birth.
I read this post with blurry eyes. How many lonesome christians walk around with a plastic smile? I was always wary (AND weary) of prophetic stuff. Mostly because it never really made people change. And you’re right, they were recycled over and over again….
Steve HIll went to our church for quite awhile, and I know his sons. I’m glad to know he is speaking out about the laziness in the Church. I wonder though, that if it’s more than laziness??? LIke I remember feeling stifled because to DO something, meant I was doing God’s job (which I’ve now learned IS our job, seeing as he entrusted us with it). It seemed the message was, “just pray and believe”. And if you took matters into your own hands, then your were prideful and didn’t have faith.
As I’ve walked thru a lot of crap (nothing like what you’ve mentioned), I do relate to the compassion and care I’ve received from my non-christian friends as compared to my christian friends.
Great post. Would love to chat with you sometime…..
Great post. Thanks for sharing. I have similar feelings about “prophetic word.” Seems the individuals and relationships get lost in the movement of the prophetic word.
amanda
Wow~I can relate to this all too well! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
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