We see prophetic prayer, proclamation and praise throughout Scripture, as well as other prophetic utterances. Prophecy has been woven through the Bible, such as the prophecies of Christ’s first and second comings, the restoration of Israel, and so forth. Prophets prophesied many things that have taken place, are taking place, and will take place. Let’s look at how God still speaks and works through the church prophetically.

Prophetic Prayer

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:20-26 (KJV)

Jesus prayed not only for the disciples who were there with Him, but also for us who are here now- that we may all be one. As we agree and work with Jesus, His prophetic prayer is answered. I recommend reading the entire chapter of John 17 to get the full understanding of what Jesus was praying and prophesying. He will keep us in the world so we overcome through His Word. As God and Jesus are One, we will all be one in Them. We will know God’s love and experience His glory. This is prophetic praying- praying it in advance of it happening. As we agree with Him, Jesus’ prayer is being fulfilled.

Prophetic Proclamation

And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Luke 4:17-21 (KJV)

Jesus read a passage from Isaiah 61 from the scroll. Jesus was proclaiming the prophecy from Isaiah and told them that He was the One it spoke of. As we proclaim God’s prophetic Word, we too can walk in the fulfillment of it. We prophesy based on God’s written Word. Prophecy from God always lines up with His Word. Jesus found the passage from Isaiah, read it, and proclaimed it was written about Him. After this, He began to go about and do what the passage said, being anointed by the Holy Spirit to preach, heal, and set people free. The acceptable year of the Lord is the Jubilee, which is the time of restoration. He read and said that the Scripture was being fulfilled. God fulfills what we proclaim based on God’s written Word..

Prophetic Praise

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. John 11:41-44 (KJV) emphasis mine

Lazarus died. Jesus waited two days before He left where He was to go to him. Faith is always going to be tested. We must wait for God’s timing. Once He arrived, Jesus thanked the Father that He had heard Him. Jesus had told them that if they would believe, they would see God’s glory. Faith is a down payment on the glory to come. Prophetic praise thanks God for what is done before it is done. Before Lazarus ever came forth from the tomb, Jesus thanked the Father. Then, Jesus spoke the command to Lazarus- telling him to come forth… and he did. Faith empowers the prophetic praise that releases God’s glory for miracles.

As we pray, proclaim, and praise what God’s Word says will happen, we are prophesying. Then, we wait on God to fulfill it based on God’s written Word and by His Spirit.