Habakkuk2:2-3 (NKJV)
“Then the LORD answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.’”
Throughout my adult years, beginning as early as my twenties, I received numerous prophetic words concerning my life, destiny, ministry calling, vocation, and yes, even the person I would one day marry. During my young adult years, I had somewhat forgotten many of those prophetic words. This was simply because I either did not see myself doing or being what I was called to do, or because time had passed and I had not yet seen those words come to fruition.
I remember receiving a word from the Lord through His servant, a man of God, in 2008, that I would one day flow in the prophetic and serve in church ministry. At that time, I would never have imagined myself doing such. Like me in my younger years, many people have had similar experiences. Sometimes you begin to question whether the prophetic words were true in the first place, or whether the messenger who delivered them was even credible.
I asked these questions on numerous occasions until I reached a point in my life where I earnestly asked God what my true purpose on earth was. It was then that God began to remind and direct me to revisit the prophetic words I had received in the past. When I pieced together all the prophetic words I had received over the years, I began to clearly see my purpose unfold. Today, through obedience and full surrender to God, I serve as the leader of the prophetic ministry in my church and remain actively involved in various ministries.
Prophetic words are not meant to sit idle while we wait for them to come to pass. There is preparation required. At one point in my life, I received a prophetic word in 2019 instructing me to continue my education because of the people I would meet and the work I would later do. At that time, I was content with having attained my bachelor’s degree. However, after praying and responding in obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I pursued my master’s degree. Shortly after, I began to see doors opening to new job opportunities within my workplace.
Not only that, my studies in leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation gave me valuable insight into registering my art business and launching other business initiatives. I had prepared myself through study, positioned myself for opportunity, and then pursued what was placed before me. I did not simply sit and wait for it to happen. I laid everything before the Lord, because often we do not know how things will unfold or when opportunities will arise. In the book of Joshua, the Israelites did not wait passively; they moved forward into their promised land.
For those who feel that the prophetic word they received is too far-fetched, or who feel limited in their calling, I encourage you to lay it before the Lord and ask Him to fulfill it in you. When God sees that you are willing to allow Him to work with you and through you, He will lead you in the right direction.
You Must Contend for the Word
You must contend for the words spoken over your life. If you have received a prophetic word and it resonates in your spirit as the will of the Lord, do not sit around waiting for it to happen. Contend for it. Your actions, words, and faith play a significant role in helping bring the word of the Lord to pass.
Scripture reminds us in 1 Timothy 1:18, “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare”.
You must contend for prophetic words rather than wait passively, because they are fulfilled through spiritual warfare, faith-filled action, and obedience.
Practical Steps to Steward a Prophetic Word
1. Journal Your Prophetic Word
From the time I began receiving prophetic words from credible men and women of God, I made it a habit to write them down. I have journaled prophetic words from my early twenties to the present. Periodically, I revisit these writings and pray over the words that have not yet come to fruition.
2. Pray About the Prophetic Word
You must pray about the prophetic word, especially if it feels too far-fetched or if doubts arise. Keep the word before the Lord in prayer, asking Him for guidance and direction. Stand on God’s promises, decree and declare that His word will come to pass, and praise Him in advance for its fulfillment.
One of the most impactful lessons my Senior Pastor taught me this year is that prophetic words require our participation. They demand movement, obedience, and faith. He captured this truth in three important “P’s” that guide how we walk out God’s promises: Prepare, Position, and Pursue.
3. Prepare Yourself
You must prepare yourself to run with the prophetic word. Ask the Lord how to prepare yourself and what steps of obedience are required for your next level. Sometimes this involves fasting, prayer, and consecration. Preparation may be mental, spiritual, and physical. Examine your life for any hindrances and remove them so you can fully walk in what God has called you to do. God will not do everything for us, so we must act!
Men and women of God, if you are called to marriage, you must prepare yourself to be a husband or a wife. If called to marry a pastor or apostle, there must be an understanding of ministry service and self-sacrifice. If you are called to preach, you must prepare through biblical training. If you are called to lead the workforce or be at the helm of a church ministry, you should develop leadership, management, and people skills. The list goes on, but the principle remains the same, and that is, preparation is essential.
4. Position Yourself
After preparation comes positioning. You must intentionally place yourself where God can activate what He has promised. This may involve pursuing additional training, applying for opportunities, or stepping into unfamiliar spaces that stretch your faith. Positioning requires action and discernment when choosing environments, relationships, and opportunities that align with the word spoken over your life. When you position yourself wisely, you create room for the promise to unfold.
5. Pursue the Prophetic Word
Joshua and the children of Israel did not wait for God to hand them the Promised Land. They pursued it, conquered it, and claimed what was rightfully theirs. God will not place the fulfillment of your prophetic word on a platter; you must pursue it actively. As you do, He will help you along the way.
Just as the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah and enabled him to outrun King Ahab’s chariot, so too will God grant you the grace and strength to accomplish all that He has called you to do for His Kingdom and purpose through supernatural acceleration.
Processing and Refinement are Part of the Journey
If you feel as though you have given up on the prophetic words spoken over your life, remember Joseph. He received symbolic prophetic dreams that his brothers would one day bow before him, yet those dreams were followed by betrayal, slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment. During those years, God was shaping Joseph, teaching him how to lead, govern, and steward his gift, before elevating him to a position of authority.
Similarly, King David was anointed king as a young boy. Though he defeated the lion and the bear, there was still much he needed to learn. God processed his character, integrity, and dependence on His divine guidance before allowing him to rule.
Your Relationship with the Lord Matters Most
Are you listening to God today? Are you obedient to His voice and close to His heart? Many prophetic words go unfulfilled because people seek the reward rather than the will of God. Our purpose on earth is not self-fulfillment; it is about Jesus and His Kingdom.
I have seen many people give up on God’s calling because they are unwilling to live a holy, set-apart, and consecrated life. They desire the outcome but not intimacy with God Himself. It is easy to rejoice over a prophetic word that promises influence, success, or marriage, yet discipline, obedience, and surrender are required.
If you are called to be a healer of the sick, are you fasting and praying?
If you are called to lead, are you serving faithfully?
If you are called to be a kingdom financier, are you stewarding finances well?
If you are called to marry a pastor or an apostle, are you living a consecrated, disciplined, and faithful life?
Every prophetic word comes with a price, and that is total surrender to God.
Remember this: you do not have to force the prophetic word to come to pass. When you pray, prepare, position, and pursue, God opens doors in ways you never expected. He accelerates the process when you trust Him fully and are in full submission to Him. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” This is God’s promise and reassurance.
Write the vision down. God still speaks, and He cares deeply about every detail of your life. If you feel that you have given up on what the Lord said over your life and believe it is too late to begin again, pray this prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I thank You for every word You have spoken over my life. I repent for the times I doubted, delayed, or laid Your promises aside. Today, I surrender myself afresh to You, my plans, my timing, and my understanding. Teach me how to prepare, position, and pursue all that You have called me to do. Refine my heart, strengthen my faith, and lead me in obedience. I trust You to fulfill every prophetic word in Your perfect time and for Your glory alone.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Author: Kimberly A.S. Williams