The Prophetic Call (1-8)

By: Hendrik Wieland
What are the signs that the Lord has called you/me to be a prophet?
Most of the information needed to answer this has been covered in the articles on my book the "Papua Prophetic Call" (to be published on Pesach 2013) which will also be translated in Bahasa Indonesia soon.
This is an advance coverage until everything is complete.
I assume that since you are asking this question you have some interest in and possibly experience with the prophetic ministry.
The fact that you are asking for detailed information, and that you are not absolutely sure if you are going in the right direction or not, is a good sign.
Nevertheless the desire must be there for you to have pondered this question, so the chances are the Lord has already begun to speak to you about this ministry.
If this is true, then one of the first signs is already there - you are not sure if this is the way the Lord is leading you.
The call of God is gentle and unassuming.
The Holy Spirit is pictured as a dove, which is a gentle bird that is easily frightened away.
When the Lord moves upon you by His Spirit He always does it in the same way.
Because of this we often wonder if we are imagining it or if it is really the Lord speaking.
The only question you need to ask yourself to make sure if it is the Lord, is whether what you are hearing is for the Glory of God and the extension of His Kingdom.
If your desire to move into the prophetic ministry is one of glamour, recognition and self-exaltation, then you are wrong and you are off the mark.
Not only that, you are sincerely deceived, because the call to the prophetic ministry is a call to death, not glory.

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The preparation and qualifications for becoming a prophet are unlike any other ministry, except for the apostle.
You have to be a failure before you can be of use.
You have to have learned that you cannot trust in yourself.
With all of these things in mind, then, let me try to give you a few possible signs of the prophetic call on your life.
These do not necessarily mean you are called to be a prophet, and they might not all be there if you are called.
But if you are called to be a prophet, then you are likely to see a fair portion of them in your life and experience.
Some of these signs apply to any major calling to the ministry.
Some are specific to the prophetic ministry.
Sign No 1
A desire has been burning in you for a long time to minister to the Body of Christ.
This is not a passing fancy but something that has burned in you for a while.
It is not so much a desire to bring unbelievers to know the Lord, but more a desire to help believers in their daily walk.
It might be a desire to warn people of certain dangers.
It might be a desire to encourage and lift believers up.
Whichever direction it takes, this thing has taken hold of you and will not let go.
The call of God comes from God and not you.
All you can produce in yourself is sin.
Paul says in Romans 7:18 "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for I really want to [do good] ; but [how] to practice that which is good I find impossible."

The desire to do the work of God is planted by God and grows over a period of time.
If you desire to do something for God's glory then it must have come from Him.
If it does not fade over time then it is not an emotional fantasy but something real.

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Sign No 2
Not many people are likely to share your enthusiasm for what you want to do.
They may warn you to be careful, to calm down.
They might even accuse you of being paranoid.
They might tell you not to 'rock the boat.'
You may have begun to wonder if this thing is of the Lord.
Your ministry is unique, so do not expect others to share your burden.
The fact that you want to do something different could be proof that this desire is from the Lord.
The Lord tends to hide His prophets away until they are ready.
So do not expect others to quickly recognize your call, unless you have ministered to them personally.
If you have been rejected, ostracized or accused of going against the general flow, then there is a good chance that the early signs of the prophetic ministry have started to show.
May you discover in Jesus the power of greatness and may you overcome the world, the flesh and the devil.
Understand who you are in God's kingdom and know that you have the power to be victorious over all things.
In Jesus' name, receive it!

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Sign No 4
Over a period of time you have found yourself ministering to a particular area of need more than others.
It seems that you always end up ministering to believers who need encouragement and direction in their lives.
And when you do something happens inside you and you sense a surge taking place.
You may find yourself telling people which way they should go and what God's purpose is for them.
The Lord prepares you for ministry by creating opportunities for you.
Often you will not be aware of this.
You only know that you feel content ministering to believers and helping them, to set their lives and ministries in order.
These are all signposts showing you the way.
Father, thank You for the wonderful news filled with joy unspeakable that Your son is our Savior and that He is the victor over death, hell and the grave.
Let us walk in victory this week knowing that all things are possible and no matter what we face, You are right beside us.
Now Lord, let Your power and Your presence be our portion.
Let Your goodness and Your mercy follow us and let the favor and the blessings of God overtake us.
In Jesus' mighty name, we pray and say, “Amen”.

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Sign No 5
People have told you that you have helped them, even when at times you have not been aware of it.
Sometimes others can see your ministry more clearly than you can see it yourself.
Solomon said in Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
If you have a prophetic calling you will not be able to hide it indefinitely.
It will start to show itself in time and others will begin to notice it.

Sign No 6
You feel unqualified to do the work of the Lord and usually feel unworthy to push yourself forward to suggest that you be given an opportunity.
When appeals are made for help you wait for everyone else to step forward first before you offer your services.
Humility is a sure sign of your genuineness.
The Spirit of God always leads gently.
He is likened to a dove, that is meek and easily frightened away.
Jesus is called the Lamb of God.
A lamb is also a gentle creature that does not push its way.
Since the call comes gently, you may even wonder at times if you heard right.

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Sign No 7
The key ministry of a prophet is intercessory prayer.
If you find yourself being led to spend a lot of time interceding for others and you have had times when you have been very clearly led and have seen definite results, the elements of a prophetic ministry are certainly there.
The prophet is the key to what God does in the earth.
God said in the Old Testament that He does nothing unless He first reveals His secret to the prophets.
If you have been led to pray things into existence or birth them in the Spirit through intercessory prayer, then your prophetic ministry is already starting to manifest.
May you walk in the confidence that Jesus Christ is Lord and all of our tomorrows are safe and secure in Him.
Lift up your heads and rejoice, the King of Glory is coming and the victory is ours in Christ the Lord.
Hope thou in God, for He is the source of our strength. In Jesus' name, receive this blessing.

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Sign No 8
The prophet is sensitive to the moving of God's Spirit and has the ability to bring the anointing into a meeting.
This is often seen in musical capability or a particular ability to lead effectively in praise and worship.
If you have been effectively involved in leading the congregation in praise and worship and can cause the anointing of the Spirit to come upon a group when you lead, this can certainly be very clear evidence of a prophetic ministry in operation.
Father, thank You for Your presence and the blessing of the word of God that says we can count it all joy.
Lord, give us the joy of Your peace, grace, mercy and loving kindness that is better than life.
Let the favor of God explode in the lives of those who call upon Your name so that the world will recognize that He who sits upon the throne is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Let this blessing be made manifest in our lives, that we may establish Your kingdom on this earth.
In Jesus' mighty name we pray and say, “Amen”.