Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
A prophet is someone raised by God usually from among
His people to speak His mind, His words which He gives to the prophet to His
people. A prophet then is God’s spokesperson for the people of
A Prophet is a
vessel used by God to provide solutions to personal, family, local, national
and global challenges depending on where God assigns him or her to. Elijah
solved the national challenge of idolatry and famine by giving the people
direction to turn to God and be saved. Elisha solved ministry challenges for
the prophets when he retrieved the lost ax in 2nd Kings Chapter 6
verses 1 to 7. Who is a prophet? Acts
Chapter 15 verses 32. God works in partnership with His servants the prophets.
Prophets are the servants of God that He reveals His secrets to before doing
anything. Amos Chapter 3 verse 7, Genesis Chapter 18 verses 17 to 33, Acts
Chapter 11 verses 27 to 30.
God is the one who
raises prophets - people do not wake up to declare themselves prophets. They
have to be ordained by God - Deuteronomy Chapter 18 verses 15 to 18, Jeremiah
Chapter 1 verse 5. Prophets speak by the Spirit of God the words which God puts
in their hearts and mouths. Deuteronomy Chapter 18 verse 18, Jeremiah Chapter 1
verse 9. Prophets are to say exactly what God wants them to say - Deuteronomy Chapter 18 verse 18, Jeremiah Chapter 1 verse 7.
A Prophet does not create problems for the people by
confusing the people or placing limits of success on the people. A prophet prays increase and success for the
people and continually speaks success over the people. Prophets do not curse or
condemn the people. They may rebuke and judge but usually for the purpose of
correction to draw people back to God and not to themselves.
A prophet also stands in the gap between God and men; therefore,
the prophet is also gifted in intercession, interceding as the need arises
(Jeremiah Chapter 27 verse 18). As Margaret Moberly noted, “Not all
intercessors are prophets, but all prophets are intercessors.” Cindy Jacobs
reiterated this when she said that “Intercession is the training ground for
people God will use to speak prophetic words regularly…. The prayer closet is
the place where the prophet learns to hear the voice of God.”
This is to say that the prophet who daily renews his
mind on the word of God, spends quality time in fellowship with God will always
be full of the Presence of God, have the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the
express mind of God. Such a prophet will always exude the prophetic unction.
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