“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.
But why prophecy? What is it about this gift that stirs Paul to mark it with such importance?
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.
