Why can't you prophesy?

"Prophesy" is not just a monthly theme at church. It is a verb in the imperative. God always speaks to us this way: "Let there be light", and there is light. It is a command for you.

Even so, many people watch others prophesy and can't do the same. It isn't a lack of words: it feels like something locks the declaration of faith in their mouth. I want to show you five reasons for this, based on Ezekiel 37:1-10.

The valley of dry bones

Ezekiel prophesies to a people held captive in Babylon, with their land destroyed and their hearts without hope. God takes him to a valley covered with bones, all mixed together and completely dry. It was not just a place of death: it was a place where life was impossible.

God asks, "Son of man, can these bones live?" Ezekiel answers that only the Lord knows. Then God tells him to prophesy to the bones, and they come together and are covered with muscle and skin. Next, he tells him to prophesy to the breath, and breath enters the bodies, and they stand up like a vast army.

The text was addressed to Israel, but it has a spiritual application for us, because there are areas of our lives as desolate as that valley.

What prophecy is

Prophecy is not predicting the future, like oracles, horoscopes or palm reading. Prophecy is a revelation of the eternal. God reveals eternal truths about you, and you decide to take in those truths and live by them.

At 13, I received a word: "You will be given a shepherd's staff." I spent more than 20 years preparing to be a pastor until I was ordained, in a way I never imagined. Prophetic words are more about encouragement and direction than a fixed account of a future that happens regardless of what we do.

God doesn't hand you a complete map. He gives small revelations: in your heart, through a brother's words, in a sermon, while reading the Word. Those who despise the small words don't receive great revelations. You need to be faithful in little things (Luke 16:10).

1. You treat your reality as if it were the truth

You look at your circumstances and conclude that no other reality is possible. But what your eyes see is not the whole truth.

Ezekiel was wise: faced with the impossible, he handed the question back to God. He knew that impossibilities are God's business, not his. There are areas of your life that are not just dry; they have no structure at all. Even so, don't treat that reality as God's truth for you.

2. You have conformed

Whoever conforms takes on the shape of the situation. "I'm a simple person, this is good enough." But your marriage, your family, your work and your life with God can get better. Paul says: do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).

2.1 Conformity is not contentment

Deep down, every conformist is discontent: if God took away what they have, they wouldn't be content. Paul learned to be content in plenty and in want (Philippians 4:11-13). It is possible to be grateful for what you have and, at the same time, refuse to settle. The servant who buried his talent is the portrait of conformity (Matthew 25:14-30).

2.2 The new brings feelings

God has prepared what no eye has seen and no ear has heard (1 Corinthians 2:9). You won't have feelings for something you've never experienced. Feelings don't lead you to the new; the new is what brings the feelings. First you taste, then you see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).

3. You blame yourself and believe you need to suffer

Religiosity brings guilt, and guilt produces a sense of unworthiness. Those who feel unworthy can't declare good things over their own lives, and they accept suffering God never sent.

There will be desert seasons, and God knows how to lead us through them. Isaiah says it was the Lord's will to crush his Servant (Isaiah 53:10), but it was for a season and with a purpose. Penance is not the cross. Suffering does not bring worthiness or merit. The workers hired at the last hour received the same as those hired first (Matthew 20:1-16). Grace is unmerited favor, and Jesus died to take away your guilt.

You also need to discern the work of the enemy. The woman who was bent over was a daughter of Abraham, a woman of faith, and Satan kept her bound for 18 years until Jesus set her free (Luke 13:10-17). Our struggle is against spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12), and there are areas that need deliverance and declaration.

4. You want to believe when you should trust

James says that even the demons believe, and shudder (James 2:19). Believing is not enough. Faith is trusting God and obeying what he says. At baptism, you don't need to believe the pastor is a diver; you need to trust him and let yourself go into his hands.

Anxiety is born from distrust. Zechariah doubted the angel's word and was left unable to speak (Luke 1:20). Mary didn't understand how she would be a mother while still a virgin, but she trusted: "May your word to me be fulfilled" (Luke 1:38). People of faith don't depend on optimism; they depend on God.

5. You think your will is better than the Father's

If you think the plan you drew up for your life is better than God's, you will never declare his will, because it goes against your ego. Before the burning bush, Moses made every excuse not to go (Exodus 3 and 4).

God's will often provokes an inner war against the self. God already sees the butterfly, but you insist on staying in the cocoon.

Conclusion

The Holy Spirit wants to fill your mouth with encouragement and declarations of faith, until they overflow into the lives of your brothers and sisters. Facing the valleys of dry bones in your life, receive Ezekiel's confidence and prophesy over your home, your children, your marriage and your work.

Which of these five reasons has been holding back your mouth, and over which dry area will you start to prophesy today?