From the book “Understanding Prophetic Prayer”
By Robert Rogers
Chapter 4
PROPHETIC PRAYER THROUGH REVELATION
In the last chapter, we discussed receiving revelation while reading the Word of God. There are many other ways that we can receive revelation from the Lord. For instance, someone can “prophesy a word” over us. The following is a personal experience. A few years ago when I was attending a camp meeting, I was praying at the altar when an administrative bishop came up to me and said, “Bob, I am not used very often by the Lord like this, but I believe that He has given me a word for you.” The Lord is saying, “Your latter years will be greater than your former years.”
A few weeks later a man of God from Texas was with us in our city wide ministerial association meeting. He prophesied the same word to me saying, “Bob, the Lord says that your latter years will be greater than your former years.” At another time, while walking through a church lobby, a man of God stopped me and said, “I believe your latter years will be greater than your former years.” In fact, over the past several years, I have had that statement said to me by eight different people in various places and situations. 
The question is, “What did I do with that word?” You see, although I had this word spoken over me by eight different individuals, it is not an unconditional word. In other words, I will have to co-operate with the Lord in order for this word to come to pass. The first thing I did was to receive the word. That is, to agree with it. This is not as easy as it might sound. Many would say, “Bob, you are at the end of your ministry; you are growing older and should retire.” So you see I must face those who do not understand what the Lord has said. The next step after receiving the word is to begin to “Prophetically Pray” the word.
How do I do that? I begin in prayer, asking the Lord, “Lord what does this word mean? In what way will my latter years be greater than my former years? Lord, is there any preparation I must make to get ready for this season?” Can you see that I must co-operate with the Lord in order to establish this word of revelation?
Next, I must “Prophesy” this word. I do this by speaking out loud saying, “Lord, You have said my latter years will be greater than my former years. I agree with this prophetic revelation and now lift up my voice and declare Your word into the earth, into my environment, into my situation. Hear what the word of the Lord says, ‘Bob Rogers, your latter years will be greater than your former years.’ To the enemies of the Lord’s plan I prophesy, ‘Hear what the Lord says. He says my latter years will be greater than my former years.’ I speak to every hindrance, to every curse released against me and my family. ‘You will not have power to stop the work of the Lord!’”
The third step I must take is to work at what the Lord has spoken. I believe that one of the ways that this word is coming to pass is through the call to write. Since having received the word, “Your latter years will be greater than your former years,” I have spent what now amounts to several thousand hours of praying and writing. I have published seven books and established a “Foundational Ministry Center.” All of this is in response to having received a “Prophetic Word.”
Prophetic Praying Will Prevail
Prophetic praying is persistent praying. When Daniel discovered that the days of captivity were almost over, he decided to do some prophetic praying. As a result, he encountered the evil principalities that ruled over Persia. Still, Daniel prevailed, for the Lord sent angels to help bring His will to pass.
Dan 10:1
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.
NKJV
Notice that two of the three principles of prophetic praying are contained in the above verse. That is, “revelation” and “understanding.” The wisdom part follows. Remember, wisdom is the application of the revelation (knowledge) and the understanding. The “wisdom” part is that Daniel began to fast and pray regarding the “revelation.”
Dan 10:2-3
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
NKJV
The result of his fasting and praying brought further revelation and stirred up the principalities that were seeking to keep Israel in bondage.
Dan 10:4-21
4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, 5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. 10 Suddenly a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
15 When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”
18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.)
It is my experience that most believers give up just before the breakthrough comes. The battle becomes so intense, and the impossibility of the fulfillment of the promise so apparent, that we back off from our “prophetic prayers” just before our victory comes. If we can keep in our hearts that the first time we prayed and prophesied the answer was sent, we would certainly prevail far more often than we do. Remember this that most “prophetic praying” will follow the pattern the Lord established long ago. That is the pattern of seed, blade, fruit, and harvest. We must learn prophetically what season we are in and pray prophetically according to that season.
Truly, prophetic praying is “warfare” praying. Only those who know how to war in the spirit will see the plans and purposes the Lord has for them come to pass. Let me try to clear up something here that will change our lives when we truly grasp it. There is a time for praying, and there is a time for “prophesying.” If we continue to pray after the Lord has given us a prophetic word, we will only become increasingly discouraged and confused. Prayer, for the most part, is to discover what the Lord wants done. After that, it is up to us to get up and begin doing.
That doing begins by declaring what the Lord has said over your situation. He may give you a Scripture or a prophetic word. One of the many Scriptures the Lord has given me over the years as a result of persistent prayer is the following:
Isa 61:7
Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.
NKJV
I have warred often and intensely with the above verse through prophetic prayer. Even so, you, too, must learn to take the revelation the Lord has given you and war for your future, your family, your church, and your nation.
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Apostle Robert Rogers
