How to Grow in Your Prophetic Gift: A Step-by-Step Guide
The prophetic gift is one of the most powerful and transformative gifts in the body of Christ. Yet, like all spiritual gifts, it requires discovery, training, and practice to fully mature. Whether you are just beginning to sense your prophetic calling or seeking to strengthen your prophetic ministry, understanding the process of growth is essential. In this guide, we’ll explore how to grow in your prophetic gift, with biblical examples and practical steps.
Step 1: Identify Your Prophetic Gift
The first step in growing your prophetic gift is recognizing that God has given you this gift. Without clear identification, it’s difficult to operate fully in your prophetic calling.
Scripture: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith” (Romans 12:6).
Biblical Example:
Samuel: Did not initially recognize God’s voice. Imagine that he grew up in the priest’s house and had practiced some priestly duties, but he only became awakened to his prophetic ministry the day God called him through Eli’s voice. If Eli had not pointed out that it was God speaking, Samuel would never have fully discovered his prophetic calling. He had a mentor who helped him recognize God’s voice, and he continued to discover God’s ministry over his life later in his journey. This shows that you can grow up without even knowing that you are gifted and called, only realizing it at a later stage. The key to Samuel’s realization of his gift was Eli and the mentorship he provided.
The key is: take time to pray and seek revelation to understand who you are. The Bible says, “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5). God knows who you are, and by spending more time in prayer to discover yourself, you will uncover the will of God for your life. God
Step 2: Develop Hunger and Appetite for the Prophetic
Once you discover what you are, that discovery creates a hunger in you. We see this in Samuel’s life: the time he discovered his prophetic calling and the time he was fully established as a prophet were two different stages. Discovery came first—he recognized God’s voice and his calling (1 Samuel 3:1–10)—but establishment came later, after a period of hunger, learning, and spiritual growth. Samuel was later established as a prophet when the Lord revealed His plans to him and the people of Israel began to recognize his prophetic authority:
“And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord” (1 Samuel 3:19–20).
David provides another example. He was called to be a king, but first, he entered the house of Saul—not simply to serve Saul, but to discover himself. Elisha, too, was a farmer before he became a prophet. It was only after he began following Elijah that he discovered his prophetic calling. The key to your prophetic growth is the hunger that develops after you first discover who you are.
In my own journey, as I became hungry to understand my prophetic gifting, God opened my understanding through books, teachings, and resources I studied.
The question for you is:
What books have you read on the prophetic?
What key takeaways did you gain from each book?
Did you discover the type of prophet you are and the ministry you carry?
Remember, just as with Samuel, discovery and establishment are separate stages. It took a journey of learning, understanding, and practice for him to be fully established in his prophetic calling.
The keynote takeaway: Take time to find books, materials, and resources that can help you grow in your individual gifting and calling. Allow God to speak through what you read and study, and let it fuel your hunger to understand more of your prophetic ministry.
Step 3: Function and Practice Your Gift
Any gift that is not used remains dormant. Samuel grew up not knowing he was a prophet, but the moment he discovered his prophetic gifting, he received understanding of it and began to use it—this is when he was established as a prophet. Anything that is not exercised will remain dormant; this is always a spiritual principle.
The key to growing your prophetic gift is using it. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes, because it is through errors that we learn and mature. Many people doubt themselves and fail to step out, and as a result, they do not grow in the calling God has placed on their lives.
The key is to be practical: use your gift regularly. Step out in faith and apply what God has given you.
Key: Use your gift regularly. Step out in faith to deliver prophetic words, counsel others, and discern God’s voice. Trust and accuracy grow through consistent practice.
Step 4: Specialization and Ministry
As your prophetic gift matures, God often calls you to specialize in a specific area of prophetic ministry, such as governmental prophecy, intercessory prophecy, or dream interpretation. Specialization comes through experience, training, and divine revelation.
Also note that everyone carries a unique aspect of the ministry and gifting God has given them. During the time of specialization, you come into full discovery of what your specific calling is. Many people may know they are gifted prophetically, but they do not yet understand the exact area in which they are called to operate.
If you function outside of your designated area of prophetic calling, you may cause harm or confusion rather than edification. For example, not every prophet is called to operate pastorally—some are called to be governmental prophets, functioning in realms of leadership, influence, and counsel to kings and nations.
When we study Scripture, we find different prophetic expressions: Daniel functioned as a governmental prophet, while Abraham walked prophetically as a patriarch of covenant. There are many other examples, each carrying a unique grace and assignment.
I’ll also include a link to a blog post that explains the different types of prophets, particularly governmental prophets, along with a video teaching that will help you understand the various prophetic offices and ministries more deeply.
Thank you so much.
Scripture: “The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets” (1 Corinthians 14:32).
Key: Your ultimate goal is to become a trusted prophetic voice, one whose ministry consistently blesses, guides, and strengthens others.
Key Takeaways
Identify your prophetic gift through prayer, scripture, and mentorship.
Develop hunger and appetite for learning, focusing on the strengths of other prophets, not their weaknesses.
Practice and function in your gift, understanding that mistakes are part of growth.
Specialize in your area of calling to become a trusted voice in God’s Kingdom.
By following these steps, you can grow your prophetic gift from a personal spiritual ability into a powerful ministry that impacts lives for God’s glory.
