Mark Batterson, a pastor and author, says we can have a major influence on the lives of others through prayer and prophecy.
In his book Draw the Circle, Batterson says that as we draw closer to God, he gives us prophetic insight into other people. "Prophecy", in this sense, means seeing someone's potential in God's eyes.
In 1 Corinthians 14:3, the apostle Paul says: "One who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them."
"Like Paul, who saw gifts in Timothy that Timothy couldn't see in himself, we, through prayer, are enabled to see with prophetic eyes," Batterson writes.
"We are given supernatural insight. Then we are prepared to speak with prophetic boldness into the lives God has positioned in our path."
This prophetic insight grows as we become closer to God. And prayer is vital to loving God and becoming more like Jesus.
"Prayer is the way we write the future," Batterson says. "It's the difference between letting things happen and making things happen.
"And when we speak prophetic words into someone's life, it gives them a new lease on life."
He tells the story of a boy who grew up in an abusive home. The boy would stop by a dry cleaner's on the way home because he had candy on his counter.
As they got to know each other, the dry cleaner told the boy that he was very smart and would run a very big business some day. The boy grew up and became chief executive of a multimillion-dollar health care organization.
Batterson writes: "Your words have the potential to change lives by helping people discover their identity and destiny in Jesus Christ."
He advises parents to lovingly remind a child who has done something wrong that "that's not who you are" and to celebrate when they do something right.
Some years ago, a praying friend prophesied that I would play a role in building a ministry of prayer. Those words have influenced me ever since.
In his book Draw the Circle, Batterson says that as we draw closer to God, he gives us prophetic insight into other people. "Prophecy", in this sense, means seeing someone's potential in God's eyes.
In 1 Corinthians 14:3, the apostle Paul says: "One who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them."
"Like Paul, who saw gifts in Timothy that Timothy couldn't see in himself, we, through prayer, are enabled to see with prophetic eyes," Batterson writes.
"We are given supernatural insight. Then we are prepared to speak with prophetic boldness into the lives God has positioned in our path."
This prophetic insight grows as we become closer to God. And prayer is vital to loving God and becoming more like Jesus.
"Prayer is the way we write the future," Batterson says. "It's the difference between letting things happen and making things happen.
"And when we speak prophetic words into someone's life, it gives them a new lease on life."
He tells the story of a boy who grew up in an abusive home. The boy would stop by a dry cleaner's on the way home because he had candy on his counter.
As they got to know each other, the dry cleaner told the boy that he was very smart and would run a very big business some day. The boy grew up and became chief executive of a multimillion-dollar health care organization.
Batterson writes: "Your words have the potential to change lives by helping people discover their identity and destiny in Jesus Christ."
He advises parents to lovingly remind a child who has done something wrong that "that's not who you are" and to celebrate when they do something right.
Some years ago, a praying friend prophesied that I would play a role in building a ministry of prayer. Those words have influenced me ever since.
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