S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Like other aspects of the "prayer movement," such as soaking prayer, prophetic prayer-or prophetic intercession-is an unbiblical practice that seeks to ascribe to the pray-er power and privilege th...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ezekiel Kimosop

What is prophetic prayer? 

Prophetic prayer, in my view, is a prayer made by faith over specific circumstances, usually over the lives of God's people. While I agree with Michael regarding his view on false teachers who mislead believers to think that they have special power to "move the hand of God", I believe prophetic prayer is in a sense biblical. 

Here is my context. If a minister makes a declaration of blessing over a believer's life by asking God to grant them blessings, that minister is in effect making a prophetic declaration over the life of the believer and God will honor that petition. 

The prayer-blessing that God gave Aaron to proclaim over the people in Numbers 6:23-27 is a priestly benediction but prophetic in scope. This blessing has been accepted as a priestly benediction which church ministers proclaim over their congregation at the conclusion of a service. This too is prophetic prayer. 

If we look at the case of Hannah's passionate prayer at Shiloh and the words of Eli the Priest, we notice that Hannah recognized the words of Eli in a prophetic sense. 1 Samuel 1:17-18 says "Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad." 

Eli was in fact making a prophetic proclamation of some sort and Hannah's reaction shows that she accepted Eli's benediction. 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a church minister making a prophetic or priestly convocation over the life of a believer or their circumstances of need. I would consider that a prophetic prayer because it is based on God's word and speaks into the future (Matthew 16:19, 18:18).

However, I do not recognize the so called "prophetic declaration" made by self styled "Word of Faith" preachers who claim that believers have some magical powers by which they can "cause things to happen" and that all they need to do is to "unlock the power within" which they allege that God has "deposited" in them. They also believe that God has placed in them the power to command blessings and to speak "the very words of Jesus" so that the divine power is "unlocked". This teaching is unbiblical. 

I recently heard a South African preacher on television claim that the reason why Christians are poor or sickly is that they have not discovered the power of the spoken word when proclaimed or confessed over their circumstances. This Word of Faith-leaning preacher declared that all his congregation needed to do is to confess riches or good health and things will happen miraculously since God has "released" to them all power and authority.

Another fallacy is the misguided belief held by a section of charismatics that praying in tongues is prophetic and more powerful and agrees with God's will and that Satan does not hear that prayer. This is nowhere taught in the Bible. 


Of course God does answer prayer but He cannot be manipulated using magical words and no believer has innate power to cause anything to happen unless God permits it. Divine power rests exclusively on God and He alone can exercise it as He wills. He has not abdicated His authority and sovereignty to men nor has He donated any powers to anyone on earth. 


God may also decline prayers in the exercise of His sovereign power and this does not necessarily imply that the petitioner is sinful or lacking in faith. 
God may also choose to work through whomever He wills and He is under no obligation to act in a particular way. Even then, our God is most gracious, loving and merciful.. 


In conclusion my view is that a prophetic prayer may be biblical so long as it is proclaimed in faith bearing in mind that God alone has the exclusive power to answer or decline a petition.

May 11 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Richard Rech

Prophetic Intercessor – seems to hear from God almost as much as they speak to God. Exhortation, faith, wisdom, words of knowledge and discernment flow from the prophetic intercessor.

With those who are “eyes” and “ears” (prophetic intercessors), God often shares the secrets of His heart and the strategies of His work. God reveals His plans to them. At times He reveals the plans of the enemy, as well. (Jeremiah 33:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21) I believe the question asked, what is prophetic intersessor. God gave us all unique gifts to use for his kingdom. Today's prophets are not about trying to bring Gods plan to pass in our time, but more about God using the prophet to give one insight into a direction he or she might go, or insight into Gods plan and purpose for ones life. God speaks to all of us daily. Are we listening? God speaks to and uses prophets as intersessors for us!

April 18 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Lynn Holzinger

I find it interesting that both sides use Scripture to back up what they are saying. Isn't it possible that God does share things with people who move in the prophetic and then they are able to encourage, strengthen and comfort those around them? Psalm 25:14 says, "The Lord confides in those who fear him" and Jer. 33:3 says, "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know." I Cor. 14:3 says, "But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort." It doesn't have to be mystical or magical.

If God is speaking today, and I believe He is, can't He tell you something that He wants you to share with or pray for another person? I had someone tell me that I was a prophetic intercessor so I got some books and read about it. There is a lot I disagreed with and a lot that was confusing, but I do believe God speaks to me and I then pray what He says. Often it is bringing a certain verse to my mind that He wants me to pray and declare. Sometimes it's something He wants me to know and He just tells me. 

Paul said he thought everyone should desire the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 14:1). Putting prophecy and prayer together in this way does not seem unbiblical. God cares about truth being spoken and that also can be prophetic...declaring His truth without compromise. When their are different ways of seeing what Scripture is teaching, as in what gifts are for today and what has ceased, we must be careful we do not judge. For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22).

June 21 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

ken Mdala

I believe prophetic prayer is simply praying out of the heart of God which simply means you pray as you are led by the spirit. If you have a burden placed on your heart by the spirit the prayer for it will be prophetic.

October 16 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report