What is the perfect prophetic word? I believe that in the strictest sense it is a piece of revelation delivered without any of the communicator’s opinions, feelings, or judgments. Another way of considering this could include a piece of revelation that glorifies God completely and draws the listener to God. But for my line of consideration I want to talk about timing that moment when revelation and delivery come together at the perfect moment.
I remember an instance about 15 years ago when I was in a meeting having a private conversation with God. As I recall it was in that moment of reflection when worship is just winding down and ministry time is in full swing. While I was sitting there a great family friend, Carl Greer, walked up to me and answered the exact question that I had been asking God. It was less than 5 words, but changed the trajectory of my life tremendously.
Having grown up and immersed in in the charismatic culture for most of my life, I have heard, received, been given, had sung and of course prayed several hundred prophetic words on the low end of estimation, however Carl’s word is one of only about three that have always stood out as near perfect. This was because the word itself was incredibly pertinent for me, but almost more important was he gave the word to me at the perfect time.
Another instance of near perfect timing was with Christine Potter. One evening during a service she prayed for me in a spectacular way. It was just a normal Wednesday night service but so much emotional healing took place I can’t really explain it. Christine is an amazingly sensitive person who sees so much, and although the issues she was praying into had probably been seen before, the difference was the moment that her prayers took place. Within 10 minutes of this ministry time I encountered an extreme situation that I don’t know how I would have handled if not for her words. It was perfect timing once again.
The last perfect prophetic word I can remember came from my father in law. He gave me a word that was almost exactly the opposite of what virtually everyone else I knew was saying. It was at a time when things were not going that great for me and the words would have been only words without this perfect timing. Standing in the gap while others where prophesying what they saw in the natural, my father in law spoke what he saw in the spirit. At the end of the day it came to pass that he was right where other voices appear to have been mistaken.
I have been blessed over the years to receive many prophetic words from different people, however in truth over 90% of them seem to have slipped into the ether or are hidden from memory. I don’t know what all the components of a perfect prophetic word are. But I am certain from my own experience that timing is a crucial element that cannot be overlooked. I know that so often what we see as being a powerful word doesn’t even compare to the importance of giving it at the right time.
Going forward I want to focus much more on knowing from God when a word is to be delivered. I think I will worry a little less if the word feels to me less powerful as a result of timing that is not always my own. Because it isn’t about saying things that I think will have a profound impact. It is about having the impact God wants to have, when He wants to have it.
