The gift of prophecy is what holds the key to your future. It's the most important gift of all the gifts. The Bible says, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy...” (1 Corinthians 14:1 NIV). In other words, it is good that you are enthusiastic and passionate about spiritual gifts, and then it says, especially prophecy. The emphasis is on prophecy. The Amplified version says, “Pursue...love... yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts...but especially that you may prophesy”. The King James version says, “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts...that ye may prophesy.”

Now, let me tell you what prophecy is. Prophecy is speaking words that are divinely inspired. Without prophecy, there is no future. Without prophecy, there is no direction. Are you aware it was prophecy that brought Jesus into existence? The whole of Isaiah—the book of Isaiah—prophesied: “...a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son...” (Isaiah 7:14). Everything about Jesus was prophesied.

Now, who is prophesying your future? Who is declaring into your life today? The life many are living today is no accident. They are stepping into the things they declared yesterday in prayer. They prayed, the anointing came, and in the name of Jesus, they declared it. You don't meet people by chance; you call them forth. Because what you declare will work. That is why prophecy is the most important of spiritual gifts.

I'm not talking about just saying something nice. No. Prophecy does not mean confession. Confession is declaring God's Word by your own choice: “I am walking in divine health, I am blessed, my way is prospered.” That's wonderful, but prophecy is inspired—truly inspired.

There are times I want to change a situation. I practice this several times. Confession didn't work, praying didn't work. Where confession and prayer did not succeed, prophecy changes things. This kind of prophecy, you don't wait for God to give you—you go and get it. How? By setting yourself to pray, focus on the matter, praying in tongues. Sometimes it's just one word, three words, or a sentence. Sometimes you hear, “It is done”. That is what is needed. That is prophecy. You pray in tongues to receive prophecy.

Another type of prophecy is called Rhema. Not all Rhema are prophecy, but this kind can be called Rhema. Hebrews 10:7 tells us about prophecy. It says "...I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll”. We are a people of prophecy. We are raised by prophecy. We are guided by prophecy. Don't play with it. There is no future without it. With prophecy, we arrange our future. It is a weapon.

So train your spirit to pray. Pray in the spirit, and allow the gift of prophecy to guide your life. Speak forth words inspired by God, declare His will over your future. Do not leave your life to chance—prophesy your tomorrow now.