Carefully calculating the exact mid way point between the two major cities, we pulled over to the side of the highway. We seemed to be in the middle of nowhere but right beside us was a cemetery. That was a surprise and totally unexpected. Jumping out of the car, we grabbed a pair of scissors out of a special box and my son proceeded to cut the air so as to symbolise cutting the divide that existed between these two cities. There had been a long standing invisible divide between the two cities with one wanting to be the capital city of the state and the other winning that role. The jealousy and envy was evident in numerous ways. We briefly made a declaration as we then selected a beautiful rainbow ribbon with the seven colours of the rainbow from our special box and carefully tied the two ends together symbolising the joining of this area with the promises of God and the seven spirits of God written about in Revelations. There had been 44 deaths from car accidents along this very straight stretch of road in the previous ten years with the latest fatality being a young girl killed by a senior member of the legal team that represented the state. We felt to decree and declare life into this area, this region, these two city fractions.
Hopping back into the car, I swapped roles with hubby and began to drive. Switching on the hire car radio which had previously not been used by us, the song that was playing was “I’m alive again”. We all looked at one another in amazement. Was that a co-incidence? I am a huge believer in the fact that there are no co-incidences with God. Next instant the sun disappeared and it started pouring with rain. The rain lasted about 5 minutes and then a beautiful vibrant rainbow appeared and ended right in front of us at our front bumper bar. I was shocked. What was happening. Keeping an eye on that rainbow, it then guided us into the next city we were travelling to, another forty minutes further on, keeping all the time at our front bumper bar.
This was our family’s first introduction to a prophetic trip where we asked God what the issues were for the various cities/towns/regions we were visiting and what He wanted to show us about those areas. We then asked God to reveal to us prophetic acts we could do that would help change something in both the physical and spiritual realm. On that ten day trip, this incident was the first and only one of the numerous amazing outcomes we saw. I believe that God was graciously allowing our family to physically see that the prophetic acts we felt called to do were actually making a huge difference in the spiritual.
Another significant physical reaction came about exactly one week after we had briefly stopped to pour out a bottle of pure water on an area of burnt dry barren ground. We were running late for a dinner appointment so as we drove through the area, we remembered that this was where we were meant to do the act of pouring out the water so I slowed the car down to a virtual stop and our son leaned out the window and poured out the water. I am not even sure we stopped long enough to say anything. Exactly one week later, it rained on that very spot – that small area was the only area in the state to get rain. Not only that, but it recorded twice the highest ever recorded rainfall for that area. Co-incidence or not?
I believe God graciously allowed our family to see physically that prophetic acts do work as we then travelled interstate and overseas where we didn’t physically see any change at the time we carried out the prophetic acts but we could have full confidence that it was making a difference in the spiritual.
One such action was in our nation’s capital. As a family we travelled to Canberra for a week because we believed that God wanted us to go there. Sure, it was great educationally for the kids. Sure, it was a good time away as a family. But the main significance was that we felt it was God’s timing and He wanted us to do something there. I am not saying that what we did caused what happened exactly one week later, but I know God had asked us to do some prophetic acts around that city. A week later, as we sat up and watched our prime minister give her resignation speech and the incoming prime minister reply, our daughter who was 10 years old at the time asked “Now what will happen to all those babies in their mum’s tummies who were going to be killed by the laws Julia Gillard wanted to introduce (for full term abortion)”?
What is a prophetic act?
A prophetic act is something done (at God’s directions) in the natural (physical) realm that supports God’s workings in the spiritual realm, to bring forth results that would be manifested in the natural realm. It somehow opens the channel for God’s presence, power and victory to be released to have an effect in the physical realm and change outcomes.
It is not a formula or method that you can blindly follow so that you can produce different results. God is not a respecter of formulas. It is also not always possible to fully explain or justify the sense behind a prophetic act with our human mind. It is also not worthwhile doing something that constitutes a prophetic act if it doesn’t first come from God.
Thus, basically it is a physical action that God gives you to do that becomes a sign and decree to forge breakthrough in the spiritual realm. Often when I am praying for Healing for someone, I may sense that God wants them to do a prophetic act and so I ask God for more details. I will share with the person I am praying for and give them an option. Do you feel you could for example, take a step forward as a sign of stepping into the new mindset or perhaps act out laying something down at the foot of the cross etc. Prophetic acts are powerful visual and kinaesthetic statements to the spirit world.
In today’s culture, we celebrate various occasions that once began as very symbolic and prophetic but the significance may have dimmed a bit for some people eg 21st birthday key symbolising key to the door, wedding ring symbolising unending love,
A few Biblical examples:
There are a number of prophetic acts throughout the Bible. Some examples are:
Ezekial 4 – Lying on left/right side, food and drink preparation, prophesying to creation.
Ezekial 37:1-14 – The valley of dry bones.
2 Kings 13:14-19 – Elisha – King Jehoash’s arrow.
Exodus 17:1-7 raising rod and verses 8-16 raising arms against the Amalekites.
Exodus 12 – Israelite families killed a lamb and put blood on their doorposts
Joshua 10:12-14 – declaration for the sun to stand still.
Jacob giving Joseph the multicoloured coat.
Hosea – marrying a prostitute.
John 2:1-12 – Jesus turning water into wine.
John 9:1-7 – Jesus putting clay on the blind man’s eyes.
The action can be for intercession, warfare, healing, a call to ministry etc. It can hold the spiritual power necessary for a fulfilment or breakthrough.
The main principle:
Ask God what the issue is and whether or not He wants you to do a prophetic act to facilitate change. If so, what prophetic act does He bring to mind. As always, whenever you feel prompted by the Holy Spirit, act on it.
Practical aspect:
For the last four years, I have carried a small purse in my handbag that has items in it that I can use whenever I sense I need to carry out a prophetic act. I feel that if I am prepared in advance, I am more likely to be aware and do prophetic acts. This purse holds a few different coloured/shaped keys, various coloured ribbons, small pair of scissors, needle and thread, mouth freshener, salt, tiny packet of sugar, stickers, gold flecks, bubbles, etc. I spent some time with God dreaming about prophetic acts, issues and outcomes and what may be appropriate for me to use in doing prophetic acts. You may enjoy doing this too and compiling your own objects that would be useful to you so that you are ready to always undertake a prophetic act when called upon by God.
Prophetic Activations / Exercises to incorporate into your week:
The purpose of these exercises is to help us hear God’s voice in a clearer manner. They sharpen our senses to hear and recognise God’s voice and His way of communicating with us. This enables us to grow in our relationship with God and also to impart to others what God tells us for them. Feel free to use as many of these activations each week as you can. The more you practice, the sharper you become at hearing God’s voice. Enjoy!
Remember that whenever you give another person a prophetic word or picture etc, please make sure that it is encouraging, edifying (strengthening) and comforting (1 Corinthians 14:3) and that it comes from a place of love.
1. Children / Families Activation: Gather some ink pads and a map of the world. Ask God to highlight to each person which country He wants them to pray for. Place your finger on the ink pad and then mark that country on the map with your fingerprint as you pray for that country.
2. Group Activation: Beforehand gather items in a tool box that you can use for individual prophetic acts eg key, scissors, ribbon, ball, knife, pen & paper, bubbles, balloon, stone, scarf, etc plus a world map. As a group select a country and ask God for a current issue for that country. Then corporately ask God for a prophetic act that you could do for that nation so as to usher in a change. Carry out the prophetic act. Repeat the process individually for a different country.
3. Beginner Activation: What is your biggest need at home at the moment? Ask God to show/tell/give you a sense/idea of a prophetic act that you could do to change that situation and usher in breakthrough. Then do it.
4. Intermediate Activation: Spiritually map your route to work or church this week and ask God to show you the spiritual condition along that route. Ask God for an idea for a prophetic act to address an issue somewhere along the route. Then carry out that prophetic act.
5. Advanced Activation: Australia is facing a plebiscite to change the constitution so as to allow same sex marriage within the next fortnight. Ask God to show you His heart for the nation and this issue and for a prophetic act that you can do to maintain and uphold God’s law within Australia.