Do you remember your prophetic words? As in, the ones that people and God have given to you, not necessarily the ones that you give out. I think that the first one I was given was on the day of my baptism by my aunt and uncle in 19something-or-other. It was Isaiah 40:31 and I don’t think I would have recognised it as a prophetic word, because I had no idea what prophetic words were at the time. They wrote the verse in the bottom of a card. If you’ve read this post (Isaiah 40:31 Unfurled) then you’ll have an idea that I know better about that verse now…!!
The next one that I remember was given to me by my super brilliant friend Sarah, it was Deuteronomy 33:25 which I am beginning to understand more fully now. It’s funny how time brings revelation to these things. Sometimes it is in an instant, sometimes it’s an unfolding and sometimes it is a matter of holding the victory until you see the fulfilment.
I think that most of us are savvy enough to write these things down when we recognise them, and I know that many people have a journal specific for this purpose - recording prophetic words I mean. The human brain is fickle regarding recall at the best of times, and there is potential beyond what we understand for retention, recall, learning, understanding, enterprise, ingenuity, exploration, creativity and invention. Learning doesn’t stop in childhood, adolescence or in your twenties, depending when you exited the formal schooling system… Preaching to the choir, I know…
There is a term in Neuroscience known as ‘plasticity’, which refers to the ability of the brain to grow, heal and recover over time given the right circumstances, situations and stimuli. In Christ, this is what I’m banking on, even if it takes me the rest of my life to accomplish.
One of the things that assists plasticity, whether you’re a person who appreciates learning through sight, sound, experience, whatever, is repetition. The act of bringing things into focus again and again does something to us, it reinforces things inside us, it reminds us, it creates habits. This is why you can get wierded out by yourself when you catch yourself getting ready in the morning doing the same things the same way every day…. McFreaky!!!
I have a bunch of prophetic words now. Some are just single words, some are whole verses or sections of scripture, some are phrases and some are pictures. Some of them are in the process of being fulfilled, some I need to revisit and ask if Father wants to show me new revelation in the light of changes in my circumstances, and some I need to continue to hold the victory until I see the fulfilment.
I carry them all around with me on coloured cards, cut to fit into a business card holder. They’re looking pretty tatty now, but that’s the point I suppose. I’ve hauled those things around in my handbag for years. I’ve prayed over them, recited them, rejoiced over their fulfilment (before I could see even a glimmer of the end result), been deliberately grateful and thankful for God’s Goodness and provision - and everything else I could think of.
These 2x4s have been with me for nearly seven years. Over those years I have noticed a change. In my approach to the world, in my approach to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in my approach to my circumstances, in my approach to my thought life and my life in general. The spirit in which I have approached those cards and the prophetic words written on them has infected my whole life. In part it has to do with the space that was cleaned out and is now available for change to happen. However, it also has a lot to do with the habit of approaching the Throne of Grace with deliberation, stepping up and determining to pray with Jesus over the words He has given me, from the same place He prays from - Victory!
In that place, the Holy Spirit has affected change in my whole being. Which has made space for the fulfilment of those very words which He has been speaking over me.
The reason I’m relating this part of my story is because I hope that this will be an encouragement. Also I now want to declare victory, hope and fulfilment over you and over the words of promise and prophesy that God has given you.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
God is not held by time, that’s something that we deal with. Time is for a purpose. I have heard it said that time was made so that everything didn’t happen all at once. What a mess that would be! When push comes to shove, on the Narrow Way, the one thing we need to do is to come into the fullness of the realisation of ‘Christ in us’, and live in the fullness of that realisation...
Regarding your prophetic words remember: Sometimes it is in an instant, sometimes it’s an unfolding and sometimes it is a matter of holding the victory until you see the fulfilment.
God Bless You Very Much!
Anita.
P.S. If you are interested in learning more about how to pray exactly what Jesus wants us to pray, I have found this little book Crafted Prayer super useful. I know they sell it at Koorong, and so you could probably order it at other Christian bookstores too.