11 Signs That Your Prophetic Gift Is Being Held Back

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One of the things I am passionate about is helping people to grow in their spiritual gifts—especially prophecy. [1]

People regularly share with me that they believe they have a gift of prophecy, but are not sure how to begin developing it.

Sometimes they express fear or embarrassment about stepping out with a prophetic insight, because they lack confidence.

I also come across prophetic people who tell me that they used to flow in the gift of prophecy but feel it has become blocked or closed down in comparison to how it used to be.

These Christians long for the ‘good old days,’ when they felt released in their gifts and saw miraculous things happen as a result.

This is why, over the next little while, I am going to be producing some articles on how to move forward and break through limitations in relation to prophetic gifts and ministry. [2]

Identifying a Limitation is Good News

Identifying a potential barrier to the growth of your gift or ministry is good news—for it is the first step to empowering you to break free and enter into the ‘more’ that God has for you.

In fact, in God’s Kingdom there is always more!

And you can turn that seeming obstacle into a stepping-stone to greater growth and fruitfulness.

Signs that you are Being held back in Your Prophetic gift

Here are eleven signs that there may be a limiting factor holding you back in your prophetic gift or ministry.

If you do not have a gift of prophecy, replace the words ‘prophecy’ or ‘prophetic ministry’ with the name of your gift or ministry.

See if you can identify with any of these:

1. You used to believe you were called to prophetic ministry [3] but now you are not so sure

2. You are wondering why your prophetic gift seems to be hidden and not recognised by other Christians or by leaders in the church

3. It is a long time since you stepped out, took a faith risk, and did something new in the use of your prophetic gift

4. You are drifting and have a lack of direction in your prophetic gift or ministry

5. You feel barren and are wondering where the fruitfulness is that you were promised or initially experienced when you started out

6. You recognise that difficulties in the use of your prophetic gift began with an event that occurred in your past

7. You are not sure what to do to get to the next level of growth in your gift of prophecy

8. You have been hurt or wounded in relation to your prophetic gift and haven’t gotten over it

9. You are not receiving opportunities to use and bless others through your gift that you would like to have

10.You are content with your current level of experience and do not have the motivation to press through for growth in your prophetic gift

11.You do have opportunities to use the gift of prophecy, but it is not flowing as smoothly or as accurately as you would like, or have known in the past.

Over the next little while we will be looking at how to overcome some barriers to growth in your gift. Many of these will apply to other gifts, not just prophecy.

Some of the things I will be considering include:

  • Fear
  • Not knowing where to start
  • The effect of past hurts
  • Apathy
  • Not being released or given opportunities

Feel free to forward or share these articles with others who may be helped by them.

Notes:

[1] The gift of prophecy is the Spirit-empowered ability to receive and convey a message from God—to make known the Father’s mind, intention and purposes.

[2] If you are interested in developing your gift, the e-book ‘Grow Your Prophetic And Prayer Gifts’ is a tool to help you identify which stage of development you are in and move to the next level.

[3] By prophetic ministry, I do not mean a role or position. Prophetic ministry occurs when you use your prophetic gift to love and help people in a way that brings them closer to God and releases them into His purposes. As Paul says, ‘the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.’ (1 Cor 14:3)

Related Posts:

Why Is My Spiritual Gift Or Ministry Not Being Released?

Break Free Of Hurts That Are Blocking Your Prophetic Gift

4 Barriers to Hearing God’s Voice – and Biblical Insights for Breakthrough

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog

Enliven Ministries:  In the David McCracken Ministries family

116 thoughts on “11 Signs That Your Prophetic Gift Is Being Held Back”

  1. el

    Hie,i need help,i had some past experince tht z confuzn m.here goes…..last year wen i ws in my room abt to sleep n tht nyt i ws feeln at peace,ddmt hv my music on n ws nt thinkn bwt anythn really,a voice spok t m n i felt like i had mistknly heard t,aftr th t nevr cm again bt th follwn days i had dreamz whch turnd out t b true,i knew then i hd a gift bt ddnt knw wt t d.thr ws a guy in m class who offrd t help n w gt alng n yes in sm instancz i hd dreamz tht turnd out t b true,nw h olws spok abt a spirit tht olws troubld th ppl in ma class sayn w shld pry against t,aftr a while h confessd t known an actually doin thingz tht th spirit wntd,in othr wordz h encouraged it…i lost trust n wonderd if i really hd th gift n if those dreamz wer frm God,nw am in tht state of just emptyness i fil lyk i ws usd up n only being in my teen years dnt knw wh t trust,my friends r nt aware of ol of ths,please help if cn olso prophesy too…. please..wl b waitn

    1. Helen Calder

      Hi El, it sounds as though you could benefit from being with others who are strong in faith. I encourage you to find and attend a healthy, Bible-believing church where there are people who can support and pray with you. God loves you, receive His peace of heart and mind.

  2. Amanda

    Hi Helen, thank you for taking time out to write all these super helpful articles!?
    I’m in a 14 month old church which already has 340 members and we are in our second building.
    I’m not sure what’s wrong with me!? The Pastors allow and trust me to operate in my prophetic giftings anytime (I journal also), I’m leader of the intercessors prayer group, I’m on the pastoral team and regularly prophecy for people with confirmations from them etc… I feel like I’m doing all the ‘right’ things but I can’t stop feeling so alone! We are a church of unchurched and baby Christians as our focus, so there isn’t anyone who operates similar to me. I’m the office manager and part of a tight 5 member staff team that shadow and protect our pastors. So why do I feel so isolated?
    Is this something you have encountered? Have you ever felt it’s all too much and you want to run away as far as you can?
    Thanks, Amanda?

    2. Helen Calder

      Hi Amanda, yes I think the feeling of isolation in your gifts can be a big part of the journey, especially when you are in leadership, and sometimes you are carrying prayer and prophetic burdens that you can’t share with others.
      So my answer is yes, I can really identify with how you are feeling, have certainly been there (in similar roles too) so just want to cheer you on!! It’s worth pressing on, and there won’t always be that sense of aloneness as Father provides significant people at different times to share our journey.
      So I pray that you receive a huge dose of Holy Spirit and Word encouragement to keep on the journey, it is soooo worth it!

      1. Amanda

        Thank you Helen! That is very encouraging to know it’s not just me! :) Thank you for your prayer. I’ve just bought one of your books so I’m looking forward to diving into it! xx

  3. shoki

    Hi Helen I was told by my two friends who often tap into the prophetic ministry that I have a gift of prophecy. I’ve seen a few signs here and there, but still uncertain if this is true. I would like to know how do I for certain that I do have this gift, because I don’t want to deceive myself and think God gave me this gift whereas am called into a different ministry. Thank you!

    1. Helen Calder

      Hi Shoki,
      I think the main thing is to not feel pressured in this area. Go with your heart. If prophecy is something you are interested in and desire, then certainly believe and reach for the gift of prophecy. The Apostle Paul gives you 100% encouragement to do this – in 1 Cor 14:1. :-)
      And it doesn’t matter what main area of ministry you serve in – whether it is practical, evangelistic, or any area of ministry – having the prophetic gift to draw on is still relevant and helpful. So continue to explore your overall gifts, skills and passion, along with prophecy if you are interested, and see where the Holy Spirit leads you.

    2. odeen

      Hi Helen, Throughout my teenage years I started experiencing things. most of it during dreams and other times I would be wide awake. I would see things in my dreams happening and then few days after it would happen just the way I see it. at first I didn’t know what to make of it and still having difficulties in coming to grip with things I would see and how I feel at times. As the years goes by it get stronger and I start experiencing a lot of things . I have been told by friends I have the gift of discernment but I don’t understand it and at times it makes me feel weird but lately it is not as strong as how it use to be.

  4. kathryn mckelvy-johnson

    To make it short, my gift of prophesy I always have known things I should not have. Mathematical, almost photographic memory, the problem is they * whoever* they are knew I had these gifts also. I am a McMartin preschool survivor from the early sixties, not eighties. Most of my fragmented memories are back. And yes I was sodomized, drugged, taken to other locations. Watched animals killed and knew more about sex at three and four years of age then I do today. No one has ever approached me ,nor my family, but I believe they were co-conspirators. My father was a highly respected M.D. but after* selling my soul * for his fame and fortune. This story is absolute truth and the names and power behind it, I have spent the last 25 years of my life, trying to find answers, to which there is just evil, absolute evil, the devil, is its name. I was raised without God in my home. For some reason my father was kicked out of church when i was 3.So I searched for a spiritual solution every where which of course opened even more doors that should have remained shut. Finally, not the small still voice but a booming one, if you want to know me, read the bible, learn Aramaic, Hebrew and Latin. So after years of looking in all the wrong places, I was led toTHE LORD CHRIST JESUS OF NAZARENE. My Lord and savior Yes, I blabbed to long . And if i can help just one , just one, girl that was used as i was. Who could not only because of the things that i see and hear . You must understand the plot only goes deeper down that rabbit hole, not only is it ingrained into the core of my soul i am not to speak,its sort of like life or death why i picked [this site to blab, i do not know, i pray that is by the Holy Spirit, this is mk ultra and involves the most vile humans on earth, are they human or daemon s. They raped and controlled me and to a certain amount have certain holds on me even today. But when Jesus saved me , no longer is the fear there, that is there tool fear and pain. thank you for letting me get this off my heart, i need help finding a christian councilor, and safe place to peace together a truth to set many free.

    1. Helen Calder

      Hi Kathryn, I’m sorry to hear of the trauma you have been through. You have a testimony of God’s goodness and salvation that is powerful. I pray you get the counseling help you need to continue to move forward in freedom and to minister His life to others.

    2. mk ultra victum

      I too was victim of mk ultra and Lord led me right to ur post during a pivotal time. I soon will have a platform to expose. I need your prayers that I have the courage from the Lord God Almighty to speak when called to do so. I will be praying for you and I had read about the preschool when researching what they did to me. I too have deep spiritual discernment and we will lead many to the Lord thru this pain we have endured.

  5. Prophetess Ella Nickerson

    Fear, Church hurt and I dont know where to begin ,I was told by a prophet some years ago to sit under an apostolic church and I would be taught, My Pastor saw my gift and then I was ordained last year as a Prophetess But I feel Lost It used to be so active. I know God called me to be his Prophet He woke me up one night in 2004 and I heard him say Ezekiel then a second time Ezekiel 33, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel and gave me instructions shout out and warn my people from me said the Lord , when you see th sword coming upon the Land…
    I use to have visions a lot ,now very little, when I have dream they are warnings, but since Ive been married I feel as if my focus is not the same. Another thing that changed is I cant seem to find work as before, I got distracted God told me to focus on ministry but my husband dont understand, so he complains about and tells me I need to find me a Job, and it began distracting me really bad from my studies, I cant focus anymore for hearing him complaining in my head, I need some guideance I pray but I seem to always put away what I should be doing for my family, they are my distracton I tried talking to my Pastor but I feel like noone understands me. I want and desire to please my Father in heaven, where are all the spiritual, Holy people of God, He told me nobody would understand me,well I thank you for having a ear to hear. God bless your ministry and family

    2. EMI

      Please contact me ASAP. I am blessed to have read your post and am excited to have come across this article as a whole.

  6. Paul johnson

    Hi beloved, one faithful night i was in bed I heard I voice that say come and serve me, I know it was God voice, I got born again and serve God with all my heart, one Sunday morning I was ordained as a pastor, two years later a churchbwas giving to me to pastor, all this was like a dream why because i have no education, never been to Bible school, the first person I prayed for minifest I hear a demon speaking inside her, from that day if I pray for 10 people 5 or 6 persons we minifest meaning demons is speaking from them, some of the demon will be saying that great fire is burning in me, if I may ask what kind of gift is this?

    1. Helen Calder

      Hi Paul, are you able to minister freedom (deliverance) to these people? It sounds as though you have a ministry to bring healing in the area of demonic oppression and deliverance. The demonic realm is recognising the authority of Jesus in you.

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