Prosperity may be a merely materialistic doctrine to some, but in the Bible, it means “to move forward” — to progress — and who doesn’t want that?
When faced with impossible circumstances, we need to focus on God. When three nations joined together to war against the small kingdom of Judah, King Jehoshaphat set his face to seek God, proclaimed a fast, and prayed helplessly, “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 against the 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 given by a priest. That prophetic word changed the king’s outlook, and with it his people’s future. “Do not be afraid or dismayed by this great army, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow, go down against them…you will not need to fight. Array yourselves, stand still and see that the salvation of the LORD is with you.”
Then, as the king bowed down to pray, the priests stood up to praise! The next morning, they arose bright and early, filled with confidence! As they passed by him to go out to the battlefront, the king 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.” As their praising priests led them out to face the enemy, God caused the invaders to ambush one another. The tribe of Judah plundered the enemy camp for three days, and praised God all the way home!
The king’s prayer, the priest’s prophecy, and the people’s obedience changed the whole situation! They believed the prophet, and they prospered accordingly. You too can pray and prophesy your way to prosperity! 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 finishing what they had started! “And 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 and includes spirit, mind and body! If you can bear witness to those who hate you, you can 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 help to put you in the prophetic mood (2 Kings 3:14-15).
We accept inspired preaching, so why not inspired prophecy? A prophetic word includes information known only by God and those who know the prophecy applies to them. (1 Corinthians 14:24-25) When prophesying, we move from knowledge to revelation, and in so doing receive words for people who are at a low point in their confidence. (1 Samuel 17:40)
Let words spring up from your heart and flow through your mouth! (Psalm 45:1) You may need to use a verbal ‘run-up’ in order to prophesy. (2 Samuel 23:1-3) God first speaks to your heart, and then you become His voice. (John 1:22-23)
Speak out 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!” “May God have pleasure in the prosperity of His servant!” (Psalm 35:27)