It’s a story that highlights the power of prophetic authority:
A group of prophets are building a larger meeting place. As one of them cuts down a tree, the iron axe head he uses falls into the water and sinks out of sight. In distress, because the axe head was borrowed, he calls on Elisha to help him restore it. (2 Kings 6:1-6)

Here we have an entire company of prophets – and yet when a situation occurs that requires a miracle, only one prophet—Elisha, known as ‘the man of God’—has the authority to overcome the laws of nature and cause the iron axe head to float.

Prophetic Authority for the Miracle

A similar thing happens in 2 Kings 4:38-41, during a gathering of the prophets. There is a crisis in the kitchen and they are faced with a poison stew. Again, amongst the entire group of prophets, it is only Elisha who has the spiritual authority to cause a miracle to take place.

• I believe that the call of God is going out at this time: ‘Will you be one of the many or one of the few?’

Many can bring prophetic encouragement; only a few have the capacity and level of spiritual authority to walk into situations and bring life to that which is dead. Only a few can cause a miracle to take place by the word of their mouth or through a prophetic act.

In our day we will see ‘the few’ become many prophetic sons and daughters who carry spiritual authority for miracles and breakthroughs.

Keys to Increasing Your Prophetic Authority

If you are called to a prophetic ministry or office, the above scenario will apply to you. However, I believe God is calling all of us who have a prophetic gift to grow further in the anointing He has for us.

Wherever we go in our daily lives some people need a breakthrough miracle, and Jesus is inviting us to partner with Him in His Kingdom authority. With that in mind, the following are 5 keys from the life of Elisha on how to grow in your prophetic authority.

1. Have a Close Relationship with God and His Word

Elisha was known as ‘the man of God’ among the prophets. He was known for both his intimacy and his prophetic authority.

‘Those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits.’ (Dan 11:32b)

Elisha’s example shows us the power of developing our intimate relationship with God. This includes knowing Him through His Word, having a thorough biblical knowledge, and standing by its authority without compromise.

2. Increase Your Prophetic Authority by Finding Someone to Serve

Elisha spent years serving as Elijah’s attendant. Some of the tasks he was required to do during this apprenticeship were menial. (2 King 3:11b) But all the while, he was observing, learning, and being infused with the faith and spiritual authority that were on Elijah’s life.

Start where God has placed you. Your ‘Elijah’ does not have to be a prophet—it may be the pastor of your local church. Be faithful and let God move you forward in your gift. If you are a ministry leader or senior pastor, find a godly Apostolic leader to relate to.

As Prophet David McCracken often says, ‘the authority you are under, determines the authority you carry.’ He calls it the Centurion principle. (Matt 8:5-13)

3. Step out of Your Comfort Zone

Elisha went further than other prophets of his time in his quest to follow God’s call on his life.

This is seen in his pursuit of Elijah when God was calling his master to Heaven. A group of fifty prophets stopped short at Jericho, whilst Elisha pursued Elijah past the point of no return. The Jordan waters miraculously parted for Elijah and still Elisha followed. Elisha knew that his destiny was up ahead. (2 Kings 2)

The increased prophetic authority that God has for you is beyond the comfort zone of your history and past experience.

4. Learn how to Release the Power of God

Elisha understood his God-given authority and was able to release the power of God into situations through a bold word or prophetic act, as the Holy Spirit led him.

Likewise, we need to understand that we have stewardship of God’s power.

Learn the dynamics between the prophetic ‘now’ word of God and releasing God’s power. Speak life-giving words and expect those anointed words to shift atmospheres and circumstances.

5. Be Willing to Empower Others on the Journey

In our opening story, Elisha was leading a company of prophets. This and other incidents were a training ground and a demonstration to them.

Elisha was not holding his knowledge to himself; he demonstrated what could be possible to others. He gave his time and resources to bring up the next prophetic generation.

The prophetic gift, with wisdom and faith in its operation, is not for us to hold onto possessively. It is not an exclusive gift or ministry.

Like Elijah and Elisha did, be willing to encourage and empower others in their gifts and ministry and your fruitfulness will be multiplied many times over.

Related Posts

Intimacy, Prayer, and Releasing God’s Power

Elisha: 5 Lessons About Stepping Into Your New Era

Axe Head: 5 Ways God Can Restore Your Cutting Edge

Enliven Prophetic School: Take Your Prophetic Gift to the Next Level

If you are seeking to grow in your gift of prophecy, and prophetic authority, I invite you to join me in the Enliven Prophetic School.

This self-paced, video lecture school is for anyone who would like to learn and grow in the gift and ministry of prophecy and includes classes for discerners as well.

Modules currently include:

• Foundations of prophetic ministry
• How to hear God’s voice, begin and grow in prophecy
• The Seer gift: how to grow in pictures and visions
• Discernment and prophetic warnings: how to respond and share a prophetic warning
• Prophetic Guidance Master Class
• Bonus PDFs

You can currently join the prophetic training school for a small monthly subscription or make a single payment to join with no end date.

Visit the Enliven Prophetic School here.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

Enliven Ministries: Prophetic ministry for a revival generation

Helen Calder

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.