My Prophetic Journey Part 9: How to minister in North Dakota and not even be there!

Stave Church in Scandinavian Heritage Park, Minot, North Dakota. Credit: Bobak Ha’Eri

[This is the ninth in a series of articles on the ministry of the prophet and gift of prophecy.]

Years ago, while a member of a senior prophetic team in a large church, I ran into a continual problem. The team would be invited to minister out-of-town on weekends, and I rarely could go.

I ran a small retail business, and it was almost impossible to get Saturdays off, even for God’s work! It drove me crazy.

It came to a head one time when our team was invited to minister at a church in Minot, North Dakota. I really, really wanted to go, but my boss said no, and I decided I would spend the weekend in a major pity party.

A few days before the trip our team leader had a planning/prayer meeting regarding the weekend. She came to me, expressing how badly she felt that I was unable to go. She shared that she felt under attack from the enemy, and knowing how I felt, asked if I could keep her in prayer during the ministry time. She wanted me to feel included; I wanted to act immature.

Later I had a major melt-down – “Why should I have to pray while they get to “play”? If I can’t go, why should I do anything to help? Poor me. etc!” It was s.a.d. (serious attitude disorder)!

God challenged me, and I decided to act like a man and pray not only for the leader, but the team and the church as well. God’s grace entered in, and I had such a burden I decided to fast for them. (If you want the flesh and the devil off your back, nothing works quicker than to say, “I’m going to fast.” It’s a flesh killer.)

During my time of prayer and fasting, God gave me a passage of Scripture for the team leader. Before they left, I shared the word with her and told them I had their backs during the weekend. When they got there, the word I had shared was read to the church and it became a theme for the weekend to encourage the church as well as the team leader.

When they got home I was thanked for “being there” and having their backs – and, that’s how I managed to minister in Minot without being there. Only God can do that.

God is always the God of more, of multiplication. When we give Him the loaves and fish that we have, He blesses them and causes growth. That same weekend in church, my wife and I were asked to help minister to Bible school students during a prayer time. I had a great time, sharing words over many.

As well, two weeks later, our team leader shared the story of what had happened in Minot in a church in another city, and it ministered to the pastor there as well.

What God can’t do with a few loaves and fish, and a right attitude! His work is wonderful!

More in this series: