Most of us haven’t had very many opportunities to receive personal prophetic words and so we often have questions about how we should receive these words, process them and move onwards with them.
Here’s some of the most Frequently Asked Questions we get about the different aspects of our ministry. Most of these are relevant to those of you who have received personal words, such as at Glasgow Prophetic Centre’s Check Ups, but can also be applied to receiving our Lion Bites Daily Prophetic Words.
How do I prepare for my Prophetic Check-Up?
You should take some time to prepare your heart before a Check-Up or other prophetic appointment by praying and focusing on God. It may also be appropriate to fast, but please let God direct you in this. Do come with an expectant heart and an anticipation for what God is going to say.
Is the Check-Up really free?
Yes!
However, whilst we offer your Check-Up appointment at no cost, we do rely completely on donations to cover all expenses. If you are able and have a heart to give, we suggest donations of £15 (or more!). But please, no-one should be discouraged from coming for ministry because of financial worries or difficulties – your Check-Up is free.
Who is the Word for?
This might seem obvious, but it is worth emphasising because it is importnat: this is YOUR prophetic word. You should feel relaxed and at ease to receive all that God has for you. You are very welcome to ask questions during or after your Check Up and it is important to us that you enjoy the experience as much as possible.
Is every Lion Bites word for me?
That is something you should test for yourself – all prophecy should be tested, after all. Does the word sit well with you? Does it resonate in your spirit? Does the word bring encouragement and does it edify you? If it does, then the word is certainly for you!
What should I expect from a prophetic word or Check Up?
You should expect to feel love and to receive encouragement, confirmation and perhaps a heightened sense of God’s purpose for your life. Love is at the heart of prophetic ministry – it is because of God’s great love for us that He uses others to prophesy encouragement, confirm what we already know or reveal issues that might be keeping us from His purpose for our lives.
Will you pray for me too?
Yes, as well as prophesying, we may also pray for you as the Holy Spirit leads, working through anything that comes to light as part of the session.
What if I forget what is said/prayed over me?
That’s OK. Relax in the presence of God and receive. Your session will be recorded and sent to you following your appointment, so there’s no pressure to remember it all!
I am scared that this is going to be a tough experience
Please don’t be. Our desire is to encourage and build you up. We will be gentle, honest and kind in our approach! Prophecy should leave you with a deep, abiding hope for your future and the irrefutable knowledge that you are loved by God. Remember, the Holy Spirit convicts but doesn’t condemn.
I am looking for some specific answers/directions, will I get them?
We may not address all of your questions and our promise is that we will speak only what we perceive to be on the Father’s heart for you. Many people who come for a prophetic word or Check Up are looking for very specific direction. However, our general policy is that we don’t tell anyone what to do and (with rare exceptions) we do not prophesy about births, deaths or potential marriages/partners.
In some instances you may have expected us to speak about something that was not subsequently mentioned in the Check Up. Despite this, it is our conviction that we will have shared what was on God’s heart for you at this time.
Will my prophetic word make my ordinary life decisions easier?
It depends. But don’t expect a prophetic words to make ordinary decisions in your life easier just because it speaks of the future. The more sensitive, accurate or clearer a prophetic words may seem to you, does NOT necessarily mean that it represents a more accurate or clearer picture of how your future will unfold. And, in fact, a prophetic word is often imprecise for the purpose of leading us to exercise faith in a given direction!
Prophecy tends not to define your future as much as to reveal the ultimate and loving sovereignty of God in our lives.
What should I do with the prophetic word afterwards?
We recommend that you test and approve the word we have given. Take time to pray through the word, being open to the Holy Spirit and His guidance.
Here are some ideas for how to do that:
Ask God to confirm the word that you have received. This can be through other trusted sources or another form of confirmation is often that the word resonates within you and has a sense of -rightness-
Allow God to add to what has been said.
There may either be a time of ‘holding’ the word before sharing it with others, or there may be a need to share it immediately.
How should I respond?
We ask that you respond in accordance with what God has said. Your response is as important as the word we have given. For example, Joseph actioned prophesy by storing grain during the seven years of plenty, for the seven years of famine. Similarly, your response may be as simple as ‘Jesus, I choose your future for me’.
Sometimes a prophetic word will be conditional and that condition will require forgiveness or prayer. Action should only involve matters under your control. Avoid trying to make the prophetic word come to pass.
Cherish the word and trust in God’s timing!
Can I expect tests afterwards?
Yes, you may experience purging and tests to follow a prophetic word. Read over the story of Joseph. As in that story, God will allow anything in you that will hinder the prophetic word from coming to pass to be exposed.
Don’t quit and don’t fret during the trials to follow. It is completely normal for you to experience shaking in your personal life right after receiving personal prophecy.
What if there is something I am not sure about in the word?
Please ask the team at the time the word is given but if questions come to mind afterwards then it can sometimes be wise to lay it down and allow God to raise it again at a later date. Not all of what we share is for ‘now’ – some things you may need to hold in your heart and let God bring it to pass in His perfect timing.
Can I expect to be counselled at my Check Up?
No, our Prophetic Check Ups are not counselling sessions. Although ‘problem’ areas in your life might be addressed, this is not the time to discuss these issues at length with the team. If there is further ministry required, the team will refer you to our other referral-only appointments.
Can I expect my word to be perfect or infallible?
No, please don’t! A prophetic word, in and of itself, should not be the sole basis for making a significant decision. Sift the word in prayer, look for confirmation, test all things; hold fast what is good!
Streams Ministries give a great piece of advice: “The more difficult a word is to fulfill or come to pass, the greater the strength of revelation you should receive to act on that word. For example, if you receive a word that you will quit your job and start a ministry in another country, you should not act on that word based solely on the prophetic word. Wait for confirmation in a stronger, weightier form of revelation, such as a vision or visitation.
What if there is a mistake?
Oh dear. We are really sorry! It may happen. Prophets, just like pastors, teachers and everyone else, are not infallible. Ask our team for clarification on the details that seem incorrect and, if the word is clearly wrong (for example, prophesying about your child when you don’t have a child), explain the facts. You don’t want to pretend a word is correct when it is not. The team are experienced and won’t be embarrassed. We’d rather be corrected so that we can adjust or explain, rather than go off down the wrong track.
If you feel that we have let you down in some way and you have a complaint, we would really like you to get in touch will us. Please use the contact form on this site to confidentially let Emma and David Stark know of your complaint/concerns.
We pray that you will be blessed/will have been blessed by your prophetic word or Check Up session. We are seeking to bring something of God’s love and compassion for you by sharing our prophetic gifting. We do this for His glory and to build up His people.
Thank you for giving us this privilege.
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