How Prophets Can Cure Their Rejection Syndrome
We prophetic people come in all shapes and sizes, and our upbringing and personal experiences vary widely. But in my view, many of us tend to be more sensitive by nature, which may make us better prophets, but which may also make any form of rejection more painful.
What do I mean by rejection? Part of rejection is not feeling understood or valued and therefore being unwanted. Rejection makes you feel excluded, not part of the group, as if you are on the outside looking in. You so much want people to love you, and you are dismayed repeatedly when they do not even seem to care.
In my own family growing up, I suffered much verbal abuse from my father. God made it right at the end of my dad’s life, but in the meantime, I had to learn how to walk in forgiveness and how to conduct myself as a son to God as my perfect Father. I had to learn not to fear retribution. My heavenly Father loves me simply because He had made me. I am His; He said my name was inscribed on the palms of His hands (see Isa. 49:15-16). This is true for you as well.
God’s healing touch manifested itself over time, sometimes in dramatic ways and sometimes through my concerted effort to establish His truth in my heart. I learned (and I’m still learning) how to trust Him all the way, all the time.
Rejection: Signs and Causes
10 Practical Ways to Help You Prophesy
Prophecy is for everyone. It is difficult to convey this concept enough in our world of superstars—both in the church and outside it.
But Scripture is clear—every believer is prophetic, and every believer can prophesy (see Num. 11:29 and Acts 2:16-18).
So whether you have prophesied for years or are just getting started, here are 10 practical guidelines that will help you grow in prophecy and keep your gift solidly grounded.
10 Practical Ways to Help You Prophesy
8 Wise Lessons You Should Heed as You Grow in Your Prophetic Gift
Wisdom is invaluable for any believer and all the more when exercising your prophetic gift. We need all the wisdom we can get, particularly when we are handling words of revelation in these perilous and controversial days.
The following prophetic wisdom lessons from my years in prophetic ministry will help you discern what to do and what not to do as you grow in your prophetic gift.
What Not to Do
3 Crucial Ways to Test the Spirits
Testing the spirits deals with all three aspects of discernment: revelation, interpretation and application, although a different kind of spiritual filter needs to be applied to each aspect.
I might pick up a revelation accurately only to interpret it incorrectly. Or I might get a revelation and its interpretation right, only to get stuck on the application (what I am supposed to do with that information?).
For example, let’s say I get a revelation about a political situation, but it happens to touch on a sensitive area in my own experience. If I have hung on to bitterness, for example, my revelation will be tainted by my bitter opinion, which will render my revelation worthless to the kingdom of God.
I need to be mindful of the influences that may come to bear on my thoughts and prayers, and especially on the way I communicate. As I test the spirits around me, I need to include my own spirit, continually consulting with the Holy Spirit for guidance as to what to do.
Why Prophecy Is for Everyone—Including You
I am firmly convinced that the current prophetic empowering is intended for the many, for the rank and file “ordinary” members of the body of Christ, not just the few, the prophetic “superstars.”
Successive waves of God’s Spirit will continue to unfold until Christ’s church has been saturated with the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him (see Eph. 1:17).
Our Father God will not let up until His people are filled with the revelation of the loveliness of His Son.
If that sounds inviting, you will know it’s for you!
Moses came into this understanding in his day. The pressures on this anointed man were tremendous as he tried to lead his complaining people into the promised land.
Prophecy: ‘God Is Restoring the Dignity of Prophets in Our Time’
I was sitting on a plane, and I had about 20 text messages come through, each one a more important testimony or story than the last about how different friends had encountered actual prophets in our day who gave them prophetic words.
These words all had stories attached, and each prophet had brought different people into a place of great authority and connection in their sphere of society. Each one was a testimony of how the prophet had affected their life and how the outcome was forever different because of the word they had received.
I was so excited because it wasn’t just spiritual encouragement. I heard them talking about different men and women whom God is raising up or has raised up as prophets and how prophets are alive and well in our time.
I then heard clearly in my spirit that God is restoring the dignity of prophets in our time.
Who Are Prophets, Anyway?
Prophecy: The Destiny of Entire Nations Rests in the Valley of Decision
Many prophets, intercessors and key leaders across the global body of Christ all agree that we are in a critical time which the prophet Joel declared, “Multitudes [are] in the valley of decision” (Joel 3:14, YLT)
Could it be that there are multitudes of individuals who are in such a pivotal, strategic time, but also that the destiny of entire nations are also in a valley of decision? We (James W. Goll and Johnathan Stidham) believe this is the case. We believe many of you reading this article will be in agreement as well.
Jesus said, “For where two or three agree together, I am in your midst” (see Matt. 18:19). The Word of God also declares that, “One can chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight” (Deut. 32:30a, MEV). Yes, we are better together.
Governmental Vision
Why Prayer Always Precedes God’s Promises and Purposes
Prayers that Strike the Mark are guided by and endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the will and the Word of God.
As faithful prayer warriors align with God’s heart, they focus on “prayer targets,” under the direction of the Holy Spirit, in order to partner with Jesus in prayer that results in victory and breakthrough.
Such prayer warriors, relentlessly reminding God of His Word, call forth heavenly intervention so that the earth will one day be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.
Prayer Precedes God’s Promises
God’s Remedy for Healing Your Wounded Spirit
esus has come to heal the inside as well as the outside! In my walk with the Lord since childhood and having been in full-time vocational ministry for over 45 years, I found that one of the most common needs among believers and non-believers alike is the need for inner healing. I have needed Jesus to heal my wounded spirit and broken heart in different seasons of my life. I am sure that you can relate.
Scripture often uses the terms “heart” and “spirit” interchangeably. One thing for sure; we each need to tend to the condition of our heart, because out of it flow the issues of life. Let’s get healed up on the inside now so we will not blow up later when pressures of life increase. So go on a journey with me into this sensitive and greatly needed subject of healing the wounded spirit.
Primary Scriptures to Consider:
Holy Spirit Told Me, ‘It’s Time to Call Forth Watchmen to Prophetic Proclamation’
As watchmen and prophetic intercessors, our assignment is to scan the horizon for potential dangers, loudly and clearly proclaiming the authority of God.
This was brought home forcefully to me one day when I was alone, waiting quietly upon the Lord. The voice of the Holy Spirit came to me, saying, “It is time to make a worldwide impact by calling forth the watchmen to the prophetic power of proclamation.”
“The prophetic power of proclamation”—for me this was like the final piece of a puzzle, and from that point forward, I began ministering out of a higher vision.
Watchmen on the Walls
Prophetic Dream: We Are Moving Toward a Divine Acts 13 Moment
I received a vivid dream in which a roundtable of key national and international leaders in the body of Christ were discussing the end times or eschatology (the biblical study of the final destiny of the soul of mankind and the order of last days events).
These various leaders represented diverse views on these subjects.
At one end of the table was an important man known for a particular set of understandings; at the other end of the table was another influential leader who held a distinct and divergent interpretation to the first man in the dream.
The atmosphere in the dream was thick with tension as the leaders convened. But as discussion unfolded, an agreement was reached to seek the Lord together for the essential main points that the various theological camps actually held in common.
3 Keys to Tear Open the Heavens With Prayer
Blowing the Roof Off the House
Have you ever reached a desperation point in which you said, “I don’t care what it takes, I’ll do whatever is needed to get a breakthrough!” In Mark 2:1-5, four friends were looking for a breakthrough when they brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. The house was so full that they couldn’t get in. That’s when they reached a desperation point.
Rather than giving up and going home, these men had a divine moment of inspiration, “Let’s blow the roof off the house!” So, they literally removed the ceiling and lowered their friend to Jesus. Moments later, their friend received his breakthrough and was totally healed.
This story is a remarkable parable for our day. It’s time to blow the roof off our old mindsets and limited thinking, believing the Lord for extraordinary works of grace.
Let’s look at this Scripture now together in Mark 2:1-5. As you do, ask the Holy Spirit to bring personal application to your life.
Prophet Issues Urgent Prayer Alert for the Nations
Below are recent revelations I received for the U.S., Persia/Iran, Peru and Venezuela. Please read through and let’s pray through these to thwart what the enemy wants to do to bring division in the nations.
Hate Speech Spreading to Violence
At the first of the year, part of my word was about a period of time called “The Great Divide.” It deals with extreme polarization and hate speech spreading to violence. The remedy was a “Culture of Honor” (see Rom. 12:10). Honor would be the only thing that could heal the escalating spread of hate and violence.
I saw this in Washington, D.C., as well, and I saw this in “Persia”—an escalation of hate speech spreading to violence. I have seen some acts of extremism that could paralyze the capital and the government, and disrupt the election process. (Note: prophetic revelation like this can be stopped or lessened by repentance and a cry for mercy. See Amos 7.)
Church Movement in Iran
5 Proclamations of Blessing That Break the Bars of Evil
You are not a loser. I am not a loser. None of us who belong to Jesus are losers. We do not labor toward victory, but from victory. In all reality, this one truth affects every aspect of the Christian life—especially our prayer lives!
Yes, the one to whom we pray has already won the spiritual battle once and for all. Jesus is the Victor! As long as we are on this earth, we will have a vital role to play—to help enforce the victory of Calvary—but we do not have to worry about the final outcome, because it was decided already a long time ago when Jesus, nailed to the blood-soaked cross, declared, “It is finished!” (John 19:30b). Those three words resound across the universe and down the epochs of time. His death and subsequent miraculous resurrection secured and sealed the victory over the darkness of rebellion and sin forevermore.
Proclamations of Victory
The Prophetic Power of Coming Into Agreement
Jesus told us to persist—continuously and tirelessly—in asking, seeking and knocking on the doors of heaven.
The New Living Translation emphasizes the ongoing action of Jesus’ words:
“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and you will the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10, NLT).
Keep on doing it. Keep on keeping on. Keep on praying!
Win Your Spiritual Battle by Removing All Common Ground With Satan
As a prayer warrior, would you consider yourself a good “wrestler?” Or do you run at the first sign of contention, having lost battles too often? In order to fight effectively, we must know clearly who our enemy is and what our weapons are, removing all common ground with the enemy.
I hope that you, along with all other believers and intercessors, can recognize yourself in these words of Paul:
” For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).
When Paul says “we,” this is all-inclusive language. He means every believer in Christ, regardless of gender, age, physique or fighting ability—we are all called to be wrestlers in God’s kingdom.
We do not get to decide whether or not we will fight. We belong to the Lord Jesus, and that fact automatically sets us in opposition to His foes.
We were born in the mist of battle and we were born for war.
Principalities and Powers
Praying in These 9 Locations Will Change the World
Across the world, the Spirit of God has been stirring intercessors to begin praying like this. Some pray while walking their cities, street by street, following pre-arranged plans. Others prayer walk only occasionally, under a special anointing. They pray everything from general “blessing” prayers to finely tuned, detailed prayers that displace demonic spirits of darkness. They do not all pray expecting necessarily to see immediate, short-term results, because many have faith for the long haul that reaches into the future.
Intercessors prayer walk in their own neighborhoods as they walk past each house. They spread out to other neighborhoods and commercial districts, campuses and schools. They target specific locations near and far. With the creative help of the Holy Spirit, they come up with a refreshing variety of techniques and strategies for praying on-site with insight.
8 Demonic Gateways That Must Be Exposed
Today it appears that the enemy’s fingerprints are on just about everything. We can become so accustomed to them that we allow him to carry on his dirty work unchallenged.
Intercession Challenges the Devil’s Work
Well, not forever. When intercessors get involved, they challenge the powers of darkness.
People who know how to pray effectively also know how to apply the Word of God to figure out exactly what they are dealing with.
They know God’s people have an enemy who opposes them at every opportunity. They also know their prayers put a restraining order on the devil and the work of his demons.
7 Supernatural Benefits of Jesus’ Blood
In the Scriptures, we can find at least seven benefits concerning what the blood of Jesus has done for us.
We overcome the devil and his works when we testify to what Jesus’ blood has accomplished. We become like those believers who are already in heaven, having followed Him faithfully all the way: “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Rev. 12:11).
Jesus’ triumph over the powers of darkness is reinforced whenever we agree with and declare the benefits of His precious shed blood.
But before we fully grab hold of the benefits, we must understand the problem.
The Problem of Sin Demands a Solution
Prophetic Dream: Ask God to ‘Strike the Mark’ With His Glory
I awoke suddenly out of a vibrant dream that was filled with lightning. (Although this happened years ago, I remember it as if it were yesterday.)
One lightning bolt after another exploded before my eyes—continual, splintering, powerful lightning bolts from heaven to earth.
No people. No words. Just incessant light, action, sound.
When I woke up from this intense, Holy Spirit-saturated dream, the whole room still crackled with God’s electric presence.
I lingered in that presence for 20 minutes or so before it dissipated.