As you know, encounterprayer is very adaptable and can be used in different ways - on our own, with a group, in church or when we are ministering to other people.  Whenever I am teaching about using it with others, one of the most common questions is about the use of ‘prophetic’ words: what should we do if we sense God gives us a word or picture for someone else?
 
My response is two-fold:  

1. Give thanks for what you’ve received.
2. Hold on to it and don’t blurt it out straight away!  

Let’s look at these in more detail.
 
First, give thanks for what God is showing you but also ask yourself why God is revealing it to you rather than speaking directly to the person concerned.  One key reason may be that God has been trying to speak to them for some time, but for whatever reason they have been unable to receive his message.  Perhaps the words seem too good to be true, or they don’t sound like the sort of thing God would speak to them.  God’s message can sometimes be overlooked without the intervention of a third party, and it can be very powerful and affirming when we share a word or picture that resonates with the person receiving prayer. 

Receiving God’s word for someone else is an honour and a definite cause for thanksgiving, but just because it has come to you does not mean that you need to deliver it immediately.  For me, the key moment in any time of ministry is when people engage directly with God themselves, and for this reason I always pause before sharing whatever might have come to me.  I don’t want them to feel that what I receive from God is more important than their own communication with him.  If I share immediately what I feel God is saying to them, this is precisely the effect it could have and may even cause them to doubt what God is saying to them. My aim is that they will be encouraged by their conversation with Jesus, and consequently will be more confident to engage with him at home the next day and in the weeks ahead, hopefully leading to a lifetime’s adventure with the living God.

So, what should you do if you feel that God has given you a word or picture for them?  I try to be as attentive as possible to whatever the Holy Spirit is whispering to me, but to hold on to it until an appropriate time towards the end of the prayer session.  Once the person receiving prayer has had ample opportunity to reflect on their encounter with God, I then feel able to share what came to me, and sometimes this can lead into further ministry.  
 
Sharing what you perceive is God’s message for someone else must be done with great care because you may do more harm than good if their personal encounter with God suffers as a result of your intervention. By pausing and holding onto your contribution until later, the person is given every opportunity to engage with God directly, and you are faithful to what you feel God has given to you.
 
With every blessing, 
 
John Ryeland

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