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Especially prophecy.

What do you think about prophecy?

“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1, ESV).

What do you think about prophecy? People have mixed opinions on it, yet it may be something we need to consider afresh—even within Charismatic churches. In the New Testament, when Paul, as an apostle and a master builder of the Church, urges the Corinthians to prioritise prophecy above other gifts, he is diving into the Spirit’s purpose for the Church.

Prophecy is not just for Christmas; it is a gift and a ministry, not an optional or trivial addition, like a bottle of air freshener used only as needed. Paul doesn’t merely suggest it in his letter to the Corinthians; he doesn’t whisper, “You know, prophecy might be nice.” No, he underlines it emphatically, like an accountant: “especially” prophecy. This is one of only four times in Paul’s writings that he uses this word—his emphasis is more than a personal preference; it’s a divine invitation to witness God speaking and moving among us through a gift that powerfully, brick by brick, builds up the Church.

It’s likely best to start by dispelling a few common misunderstandings. When many think of prophecy, they picture a dramatic predicting or foretelling of events yet to come—mystical and distant, akin to something you’d expect from Isaiah, Jeremiah, or perhaps Ezekiel. But prophecy, as Paul presents it here, isn’t about peeking behind the curtain of tomorrow (although that sometimes happens). Rather, it’s about calling and affirming God’s truth into today’s predicaments, declaring His heart for His people, and lifting others with His love, wisdom, and presence.

In fact, Paul anchors prophecy in three deeply meaningful and practical things: it builds up, it encourages, and it comforts (1 Corinthians 14:3). Each of these words is loaded with significance, but the common thread here—and an important one—is how prophecy operates relationally. It’s God reaching out through one believer to uplift and strengthen another. It’s personal, timely, and transformational. No wonder Paul uses that word, “especially”—he knows what prophecy does and urges the Church, even against faith, healings, or miracles, to desire “especially” that they might prophesy.

Some may wonder, “We’ve got along fine so far without prophecy, haven’t we?” Many churches have done meaningful ministry without active prophetic gifts, and God has blessed their faithfulness in teaching, serving, and nurturing discipleship. However, Paul’s encouragement in 1 Corinthians 14:1 to “earnestly desire” prophecy suggests that this gift brings unique value, intended to enrich the Church’s life. Even if a church has “gotten along” without prophecy, there is always room to grow into the fullness of God’s gifts. Prophecy is a beautiful means by which God ministers to His people, revealing His care in specific areas where believers may need support, guidance, or a reminder of His presence.

Perhaps it would be helpful to view exploring the prophetic gift as a journey of faith. Churches can begin by praying and asking the Holy Spirit if there’s more He wants to offer through this gift. With a safe, prayerful approach, prophecy can be gently nurtured and tested, always aligning with Scripture and reflecting God’s love. As other churches have discovered, prophecy, when approached with discernment and humility, often brings deep encouragement, healing, and even spiritual breakthroughs. Inviting this gift into the life of the church isn’t about replacing other ministries or gifts; rather, it’s an opportunity to become a community more open to God’s voice and presence, growing in unity, intimacy, and spiritual maturity. Some churches may find it useful to talk to other church leaders who have experience with prophetic ministry, seeking meaningful ways to introduce prophecy into the life of the church so they, too, can benefit from the encouragement this gift brings.

What does this mean for you and me?

Quite simply, it means we need prophecy in the Church—today. We need it in our gatherings, our relationships, and our daily lives. The reason is that God’s Spirit is still moving among us, and He communicates through this remarkable gift, given to ordinary people. He hasn’t stopped revealing His love to His people, and He longs to use prophecy to make His heart known in profound, practical ways.

When a believer earnestly desires to prophesy, they’re essentially saying, “Lord, I want to share Your heart—Your nearness, grace, kindness, and willingness to intervene and guide us through life’s complexities.” Prophecy isn’t a detached delivery of random, purposeless messages; it’s an expression of divine compassion—God meeting us right where we are. Through prophecy, God speaks in ways that go beyond the surface, revealing what we cannot see, reminding us of truths we might have forgotten, and calling us back to what matters most. This is why we long for a community where believers actively listen to the Spirit, waiting on God for a word that may bless, encourage, or restore someone to their truest identity in Christ.

In Corinthians, Paul paints this very picture, urging us to seek prophecy as a means of strengthening the Church, making it more unified and more like Christ Himself.

Today, every church, every believer, faces struggles—times of doubt, discouragement, or even despair. We carry burdens that sometimes feel too heavy to bear alone, and in these moments, we need a word that cuts through the fog, something meant specifically for us. The person prophesying doesn’t know your struggle, but the Spirit does, and He speaks through them. It’s like they’re bringing a divine reminder that God sees and cares for us deeply, speaking to His people to edify them, reveal His heart, and keep us focused on His love, power, and purposes.

This is why Paul says to especially desire prophecy—not because it’s impressive, but because it’s fundamentally essential. When we seek prophecy, we’re inviting God to build up His people in a way that’s direct, compassionate, and personal. Paul’s emphasis on prophecy is an open invitation to become a church where God’s voice isn’t a distant echo but a present reality. And the remarkable truth is that God wants every believer to step into this gift. You don’t have to be a pastor or leader to desire prophecy; you simply have to be willing to listen, to love, and to step out in faith.

Paul knew that the Church would thrive when believers earnestly sought to hear from God on behalf of one another, knowing that prophecy would keep the gospel alive in the community—reminding us of His promises, convicting us where we stray, and comforting us in our trials.

And if you’re wondering, “Can I prophesy? Is this really for me?” hear Paul’s words afresh. He writes this not to the elite but to the everyday believer. Literally, if you’re in Christ, if His Spirit is in you, then yes, this gift is for you. Of course, it takes humility, faith, and a bit of boldness. It takes surrender. It’s not something we wield like a tool to gain influence or respect; it is a gift meant to be held loosely, with reverence and love, always remembering that it’s about God’s purposes, not ours.

The beauty of prophecy is that it invites us into a partnership with God’s Spirit, aligning our hearts with His and declaring His love and truth as He leads and guides. When you bring a prophetic word, you’re not giving a lecture, passing along information, or even making predictions; you’re becoming a vessel of the Spirit, speaking words that build up faith, words that encourage weary souls, words that comfort those who sometimes feel unseen or forgotten.

What could be more Christ-like than that? When Jesus spoke, He didn’t simply address physical issues or the presenting problem; He went to the heart, offering healing, encouragement, and hope. In prophecy, we participate in that same mission, reaching into people’s lives with the assurance that God sees, knows, and cares.

Don’t dismiss this gift as something reserved for someone else. Paul didn’t reserve prophecy for a select few; he urged the whole Church to desire it, to seek it earnestly. Why? Because he knew that a church alive with prophecy is a church alive to the presence of God. That’s a place where anything can happen, a place where God brings breakthrough in the most unusual ways. It’s a church that cares for each other in a way that surpasses superficial connection, moving instead into the kind of intimacy and unity that only the Spirit can bring.

Desiring prophecy and actually stepping into it can be daunting. It means being vulnerable, stepping out in faith, and trusting that God will speak through you—even when you feel inadequate. But remember, prophecy is not about having all the answers; it’s about being willing to hear from the God who does. It’s about listening, humbly and attentively, and then speaking with courage and love. Prophecy is like a window into the heart of God, letting His light and truth flood in where darkness and doubt have tried to take hold.

Paul knew that prophecy would ignite a fire in the Church that nothing else could, which is why he uses those words, “especially prophecy.” In a world filled with noise, confusion, and distraction, the gift of prophecy reminds us of what is true, what is good, what is lasting. It anchors us in the Word and breathes life into our gatherings.

We will benefit from being a church filled with believers who listen, who love deeply, and who are ready to share a word from God that might change the course of someone’s day or even their life.

Let’s answer that invitation. Let’s desire prophecy for the sake of the Church, for the glory of God, and for a world that needs to hear His voice afresh.

You don't have to read the Bible

You don’t have to read the Bible. On the face of it, plenty of people seem to get by without it. With so much to do, so many demands, reading an ancient book doesn’t feel pressing enough. But the question is, is “getting by” really the aim here? Jesus didn’t live, die, and rise again so we could coast through life, catching a snippet of Scripture here and there, hoping it’s enough. He came so we would have life—and have it abundantly. And that life, He tells us, depends on God’s Word.

The Vitality of God’s Word and True Fulfilment

In Matthew 4:4, as Jesus faces Satan’s temptations, He responds, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” These words cut straight to the heart of why we need the Bible. Jesus isn’t merely talking about a religious activity or a habit to develop; He’s talking about life itself. Just as our physical bodies rely on food, our souls rely on the sustenance that only God’s words provide.

If we think we can thrive without it, we’re deceiving ourselves. Jesus, the Son of God, shows us that in the darkest moments of temptation and testing, what held Him was not simply His divine nature, but the Word of God. If He needed it, depended on it, and honoured it in times of great emotional and spiritual challenge, how much more do we? Satan’s temptations were powerful and seductive; if Jesus had fallen, the impact would have been enormous, eternally affecting millions, even billions of people. Yet each time, He parried temptation with “it is written.”

Jesus’ Example in Defeating Temptation with Scripture

The Bible is not just a collection of wise sayings or moral guidance—it is, as Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16, “breathed out by God” and “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Think about that phrase—“breathed out by God.” Scripture is the very breath of God moving through the pages, a holy exhale that brings life and truth into the world. Unlike even the most compelling book, biography, or textbook, when we open the Bible, we are not merely reading words on a page; we are encountering the voice of God—His own breath, His heart for humanity laid bare, unfolding the great, awesome story of His redemptive plan for mankind. If we believe this, if we are truly convinced that the Bible is the voice of God reaching out to us, then why would we settle for rarely reading it?

God’s Living Breath in the Bible as More Than Words

There is so much to read in the Bible, yet each page speaks life, hope, and challenge to us. The longest psalm in the Bible—Psalm 119—is essentially a love letter from God’s Word, with the psalmist crying out, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). I mention this very long psalm intentionally—notice how personal it is. It’s not “a” lamp, but “your” lamp. Traditionally, Psalm 119 is attributed to David, though it’s not certain. For the psalmist, God’s Word isn’t some abstract truth; it’s a lifeline, a guide, an intimate light that shows him where to go—and where not to go. He’s saying, “God, without Your Word, I’m in the dark. I don’t know where I’m going.” How often do we feel that way—lost, uncertain, grasping for direction? The Bible is God’s provision of light in the darkness, a light that pierces through and directs us on His path that leads us to life.

In a world where everyone is often encouraged to embrace their own “truth,” Scripture constantly asserts and assures us that God’s words are not just true; they are trustworthy. They are truth itself and the benchmark against which all other so-called “truths” are measured—something the Bereans in Acts 17:11 were convinced of as they “examined the Scriptures daily” to test what they heard.

When God speaks, He emphatically, unambiguously means every single word. Numbers 23:19 declares, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it?” God is not careless or flippant with His words. He’s not making things up as He goes, nor is He prone to exaggeration. Every promise, every truth, every instruction in Scripture flows from His unfailing character. The Bible is reliable not only because of what it says but because of who says it. His Word is as dependable as He is, unchanging and steady through every circumstance.

The Creative and Transformative Power of God’s Word

The Bible isn’t only reliable—it’s alive. No other book or religious writing can claim this truth. Hebrews 4:12 describes Scripture as “the word of God [that] is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Simply put, the Bible pulses with the energy and life of God. This isn’t dead language; it’s living truth that interacts with us, cutting clean through our defences and reaching deep into our lives. It’s a Word that doesn’t just inform but radically transforms—revealing what we hide, bringing light to what we keep in darkness, and reshaping our hearts from the inside out. It’s formidable; we don’t merely read the Bible—it reads us, leaving us desiring more.

The Bible’s life-transforming power isn’t theoretical; we see it from the very beginning. In Genesis, God speaks, and creation responds: “Let there be light,” and there is light. “Let the waters gather,” and they gather. His words don’t simply describe reality—they create it. To blind eyes, He says, “See!”—and they see (Mark 10:52). To a paralysed man, “Rise!”—and he rises (John 5:8-9). To a storm, “Peace, be still!”—and it obeys (Mark 4:39). This same creative power is woven into the pages of Scripture. When we read it, when we take it to heart, we invite God to create something new in us. His Word renews us, reshapes our thoughts, and redirects our desires, drawing us closer to the image of Christ.

I’ve quoted Jesus speaking and immediate change follows—and with good reason: Jesus Himself is called “the Word” (John 1:1). The Bible isn’t simply a book about Jesus; it’s His own voice, His own story woven throughout. When we read it, we encounter Jesus—the Word made flesh—who lived, died, and rose again so that we might be reconciled to God. Every book of the Bible whispers His name, from Genesis to Revelation; at times, that whisper becomes the sound of thunder.

Encountering Jesus Through Scripture as an Invitation to Intimacy

Jesus personally is the Word that brings life, and in the Scriptures, He offers Himself to us again and again. Like a captivating story, He draws us in—challenging our preconceptions, our biases, and our worldview. We don’t just see His teachings, His wisdom, or His miracles; we see His heart. We see a Saviour who walked in our shoes, who faced temptation without falling, who wept with the broken, and who ultimately bore our sins so that we might be free. It’s the story of God, but also of the Hero of heroes and Champion of champions—yet also our friend. To skip the Bible is to miss Jesus Himself, to miss an intimate encounter with the One who knows us fully and loves us completely.

If you’re struggling to trust the Bible, let Scripture stand in the dock of your judgment and let it speak for itself. The defence brings a witness statement: “The sum of your word is truth,” the psalmist says in Psalm 119:160, “and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” God’s Word is true not just in part, but in its entirety—all of it, even if you don’t agree with or believe it. Every promise, every command, every story holds a piece of His unchanging truth. And this truth isn’t bound to cultural shifts or human opinion—it endures forever, literally. In a world where opinions change and “truth” seems to shift with each generation or persuasion, the Bible stands firm. It’s a rock in the shifting sands, a solid, immovable foundation we can trust no matter what storms come our way.

At times, it may feel as though nothing is ‘going in’ as you read, but don’t be fooled. The words you read are finding their place; like grains of sand, they slowly and imperceptibly fill you. The next four sentences are profoundly important:

When we turn to Scripture, we’re not just reading to learn; we’re listening to the God who loves us, who knows us, who desires to make us whole, and who longs for intimacy with us. We are His, and He is ours. Paul understood this when he wrote, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). If we want to grow in faith, if we want to draw closer to God, we must hear Him, and the place He speaks most clearly and intimately is through His Word. Faith doesn’t come from effort alone; it comes from the Word that feeds, sustains, and builds it.

Here’s the staggering reality: God didn’t have to reveal Himself—He really didn’t. He owes us nothing. He could have remained silent, hidden, distant. Yet in His love and mercy, He chose to speak. He gave us His Word so we wouldn’t be left to blindly guess at who He is or what He desires. Through the Bible, we come to know God not as a distant deity, but as a Father, a Redeemer, a Shepherd who leads, protects, and loves.

So, no, you don’t have to read the Bible. You don’t need to fill out a checklist or meet a quota. God isn’t watching to see how many pages you’ve covered today. But—and it is a big ‘but’—when you turn to His Word, you are turning to the God who invites you into life, peace, and purpose. The Bible is not a task to accomplish; it’s a treasure to uncover.

Digging down into those treasures can be hard work, but when you find those nuggets of pure gold, they are worth it. The Bible that you don’t have to read is God’s own heart poured out in words that draw us closer to Him. So if you’re hungry, come and be filled. If you’re weary, come and find rest. And if you’re searching, come and meet the God who has been calling you all along, who speaks through His Word to bring you life, hope, and joy.