I call “doxology” gloriology because in NT Greek “doxa” means “glory”. I like to glory in the things of God — don’t you? (And the rather religious word “benediction” simply means “good words”. I like speaking those, too.) Then there’s Prosperity — and before you start shuddering at the inclusion of the word, calm down and let me explain.
Prosperity may be too materialistic for some, but throughout the Bible it means “to move forward”, “to progress” — and who does not want to do that? This is not metaphysics or Positive Thinking, or the “Name it and Claim it” — “Blab it and grab it!” — practiced by hyper evangelists shouting through television back in the 60s.
When faced with impossible circumstances, we need to focus our minds on God. When three nations joined together to wage war against the small kingdom of Judah, King Jehoshaphat set his face to seek God, proclaimed a fast, and then, helpless but not hopeless, prayed: “Our God, we have no strength to fight this invading army, nor do we know what to do; but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)
His prayer acknowledged God’s strength and his people’s utter helplessness to win in the face of overwhelming odds. After hearing his prayer, “All Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.”
God’s answer to the king’s prayer came through a prophecy from God through a priest. That prophecy changed the king’s outlook and his people’s future. “Do not be afraid or dismayed by this great army,” he told them, “The battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow, go down against them…you will not need to fight. Set yourselves, stand still, and you’ll see that the salvation of the LORD is with you.”
As the king bowed down to pray, the priests stood up to praise! The next morning, they arose early — filled with confidence! As they passed by their king to go out to the battlefront, he stood and said in a loud voice: “Hear me, you inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God and you will be established; believe His prophets, and you will prosper!” Their praising priests led them out to face the enemy, and as they did, God caused the invaders to ambush one another. The tribe of Judah then plundered the enemy camp for three days and afterwards praised God all the way home!
The king’s prayer, the priest’s prophecy, and the people’s advance changed the whole situation! They believed the prophet, and they prospered accordingly.
You too can pray and prophesy your way to prosperity — speak as you move forward! Prophecy is speaking under Divine inspiration. I repeat: The Hebrew word for prosper means “to move forward”. “And the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah.” (Ezra 6:14) How did the elders prosper? By completing what they had begun! “They continued building until they finished the temple.”
God wants you to prosper! “The disciple whom Jesus loved” wrote: “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” (3 John 2) Scriptural prosperity is holistic, in that it includes spirit, mind and body! You can testify to those who dislike you, and prophesy to those who love you! The principle is exactly the same.
You begin to speak, and then God continues by speaking through you. (Mark 13:11; Luke 21:13-15) The right music for the situation can also help put you in a prophetic mood (2 Kings 3:14-15). Just last week, I was quite ill and dropped off to sleep while sprawled out on a sofa. Suddenly, I awoke, speaking in a language I’ve never learned! (The King James Version of the Bible calls this “speaking in an unknown tongue”.)
It was a different language to those I have spoken in the past (I speak enough Japanese and Tagalog to get along). This was a sort of thick, brogue that ascended and ended in triumph! After that, I began to recover. The Spirit of God within me had interceded for me in words that I did not understand, but I caught their meaning.
We accept inspired preaching, so why not inspired prophecy? A prophetic word includes information known only by God and those who know that the prophecy is for them (1 Corinthians 14:24-25). When prophesying, we move from stored knowledge to revelation knowledge and, in so doing often receive words for people who are at a low point emotionally or spiritually (1 Samuel 17:40).
Let words spring up from your heart and flow through your mouth! (Psalm 45:1) “Bubble up with a good thing” as did the psalmist! You may need a verbal ‘run-up’ in order to prophesy, if you’ve not done so before (2 Samuel 23:1-3). God first speaks to your heart, and then you become His voice to others or even to yourself (John 1:22-23). Call it inspired self-encouragement if prophecy is a bit daunting. The thing is to get started!
Speak firmly and confidently the thoughts that God is whispering quietly to your heart. (1 Kings 19:12) Pray this prayer: “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on you, and by the power of your Spirit, I now begin to prophesy my way to prosperity!” Lift your hands and your eyes and your voice to God in Heaven. “May God have pleasure in the prosperity of His servant!” (Psalm 35:27)
Don’t say, “I don’t know what to do!” because now you do. Open your mouth and put your tongue to work using the words that God will give you. Saying what God says is not complex or complex, like Brain Surgery or Rocket Science. If your children learn to talk by listening to you, then you can do likewise by speaking God’s Word.