PROPHETIC QUESTION TO STEVE SHULTZ, PUBLISHER OF THE ELIJAH LIST

Reader's Question:

"I was reading the word posted today and have a question about something written by Steve Shultz.  He stated "That which is prophesied must be prayed in...."  Could you explain what it means to pray in a prophecy?  Thanks for your help."

Steve Shultz:

Of course, whole seminars could be taught about this subject, but here is a partial answer:

The Lord has prophesied the Church to Win, to come through with flying colors...And He told us He came that we might have life and life abundantly (that's a prophetic proclamation)...

. . . and yet he taught consistently that we should be involved with prevailing prayer. Remember the story of the persistent widow who cried out day and night for vindication? Jesus taught that we must always pray and never give up.

He taught that we "have not because we ASK not."

Scripture Must be Taken as a Whole

Scripture, taken as a whole teaches that though something is prophesied, we are to pray the very will of God. Otherwise, why would God---- who knows what we need BEFORE we ask Him---- require us to pray, "Your Kingdom Come, YOUR will be done?"

God is making a point that He is in us and we are in Him and --- yet -- He has partnered in his activities with his Creation...those of us who have received Him.. Yes, Without HIM, we can do nothing, but with Him, living in us, and as we pray to Him, even the very words He has prophesied to us---- we will see tremendous answers to-- But sometimes, only IF WE PRAY.

It seems odd, doesn't it?

We are even taught in James to pray for wisdom--- but we are also taught in James that even if we pray, we should expect to receive nothing if we don't pray in Belief/Faith/without doubting...... when we ask for Wisdom.  

So, let's recap so far --- he knows what we need before we ask.  He asks us to pray daily that His will be Done.  He says that sometimes, "we have not because we ask not."  

God has an awesome future will for us. That's a "done deal."  When He speaks that WILL to us, through others, that is called prophesying (what others do when they speak God's will over us.)  Nevertheless, the overriding principle STAYS IN EFFECT that we must DAILY pray, Your WILL BE DONE.

Give and Take--  A God of Relationship

Just as marriages and relationships are give and take, ask and receive, help and be helped---- so is our relationship with the Lord. At any moment, He can and often does Do that which He wants, (and prophesies) whether we pray or not-------- On the other hand, there is an overriding principle that we must pray (remember, he is a relationship-oriented God) , or we may not receive what we desire.  Sometimes, that is, we must ask Him for the help he wants to give us.

 Remember that even the Lord's prayer is "give us THIS DAY, our DAILY bread." So the Biblical model is to ask the Lord Daily for that which He already wants to and has even prophesied to--- Give us. 

Again, it's odd, but it's in the Word.

From a human perspective, that doesn't make much sense, but then, God always told us that His thoughts and Ways were higher than we would or could ever understand...so what matters is not whether we understand---- but whether we obey the command to pray.

So....whenever you receive a prophecy, it is an excellent idea...if not an imperative command that we Pray to the Lord that His very Prophecy Over us will in fact come to pass!  If we don't pray, it may come to pass anyway. But He may require that we pray some things "in" to demonstrate our faith in HIS WORD.

One final thought... Many would "fear" and ask themselves, "What if I don't pray just right? Then the prophecy won't come to pass?" 

 But God even handles that:

Rom 8:26-27

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
(from New International Version)

Remember, not just When all else fails---but always,  we can continually pray, "YOUR Kingdom come, YOUR will be done, Lord."

For some reason, He not only likes that prayer...... but He requires and responds to that prayer.

Have you received a great prophecy in the past?  Is it yet to come to pass?  

Pray it in!!

I hope this is helpful.

Blessings,

Steve Shultz
THE ELIJAH LIST