C. PROBLEMS/DANGERS IN PROPHETIC PRAYER
As we consider the ministry of prophetic-prayer teams, we need to talk about some dangerous problem area. God’s gifts of grace can be abused in most ungracious ways. We are not to fear our Enemy, but we are to be aware of his clever and tricky ways (2 Cor 2:11).
We should not be surprised that something as powerful as teams of prayer would come under his attack. The reason we might expect problems to arise concerning prayer is clearly pictured for us in Proverbs 14:4: “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox” (Prov 14:4).
This proverb shares a simple principle for us to see. Where there are no oxen, it is easy to keep the barn clean. There is no mess that needs to be removed.
Where you have the oxen, you have their dung dropping and thus a dirty crib. But there is also a big harvest. It takes the strength of the ox to plow the field, to produce an abundant harvest.
The truth is very clear. If we want the power of the ox and the gain of the harvest, we are going to have to put up with some messy problems.
If we want the power and results that the Gifts of God’s Spirit bring, we are going to have to face the problems – and problem people – that come with it.
It is possible to sweep aside the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and have a clean but very sterile (lifeless) stall. Dead oxen and quiet, clean barns go together. Dead churches are lifeless, powerless and praiseless – and without harvest!
Adolescence (teen-age years) has its own special problems. It is the borderline time between being a child and being an adult. It is a time when a little knowledge and a lot of energy wants to run far ahead of wisdom and experience!
This is true in our growth and life as Christians as well. Many problems can arise when our knowledge about the Gifts of the Spirit is not balanced by the maturity of Christian character and experience.!
We have seen that when the utterance (speaking) of Gifts of Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues and Prophecy are accompanied by a Word of Wisdom, A Word of Knowledge or Discerning of Spirits, they play an important role in the ministry of prophetic-prayer teams.
1. Personal Guidance Needs Balance
One of the dangers is to look to the Gifts of the Spirit as a sort of “magic means” of obtaining God’s will for personal guidance on a weekly or daily basis. such a “misuse” of gifts could almost be likened to going to a fortune-teller.
God will never allow us to escape from a walk of faith. Faith operates in a confidence that God is keeping His word of promise: “And the LORD shall guide thee continually…” (Isa 58:11). Let me assure you that if you are not in rebellion, it is difficult to miss God’s will.
The Lord, at times, is merciful to us and gives strong prophetic confirmation to us through those who pray for us. However, do not let this be a substitute for your own relationship with the Lord. He can speak directly to you, if you learn to listen in your times of private devotion.
There must always be a balance between the following:
a. God’s Word – Biblical principles and special words.
b. God’s Spirit – Inner witness, dreams, spiritual gifts.
c. Body of Christ – Confirmation by counsel and prophecy.
d. Circumstances – As arranged and/or rearranged by God.
e. Our Attitude – Personal humility, faith and obedience.
God wants our faith and trust to be in Him. Guidance should come out of our relationship with God and one another in Body of Christ. When these relationships are in right order, then we can expect the Lord to guide and direct us in a safe, sure way.
To move outside of this divine balance is to open ourselves to false, foolish and even dangerous directions and influence.