Calculating the exact mid-way point between the two major cities, we pulled over to the side of the highway. We seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, but a cemetery was beside us. That was a surprise and unexpected. Jumping out of the car, we grabbed a pair of scissors out of a special box, and my son proceeded to cut the air to symbolise cutting the divide between these two cities. There had been a long-standing invisible divide between the two cities, with one wanting to be the capital city of the state and the other winning that role. The jealousy and envy were evident in numerous ways.

We briefly made a declaration as we selected a beautiful rainbow ribbon with the seven colours of the rainbow from our special box and carefully tied the two ends together, symbolising the joining of this area with the promises of God and the seven spirits of God written about in Revelations. There had been 44 deaths from car accidents along this very straight stretch of road in the previous ten years, with the latest fatality being a young girl killed by a senior member of the legal team representing the state. We felt to decree and declare life into this area, this region, these two city fractions.

Hopping back into the car, I swapped roles with hubby and began to drive. Switching on the hire car radio that had previously not been used by us, the song was “I’m alive again”. We all looked at one another in amazement. Was that a coincidence? I am a huge believer that there are no coincidences with God. The next instant, the sun disappeared, and it started raining. The rain lasted about 5 minutes, and then a beautiful vibrant rainbow appeared and ended right in front of us at our front bumper bar. I was shocked. What was happening? Keeping an eye on that rainbow, it guided us into the next city we were travelling to, another forty minutes further on, keeping all the time at our front bumper bar.

This car trip was our family’s first introduction to a prophetic trip where we asked God what the issues were for the various cities/towns/regions we were visiting and what He wanted to show us about those areas. We then asked God to reveal prophetic actions we could do that would help change something in both the physical and spiritual realms.

On that ten-day trip, this incident was only one of the many remarkable outcomes we saw. I believe that God was graciously allowing our family to physically see that the prophetic acts we felt called to do were making a massive difference in the spiritual.

Another significant physical reaction occurred precisely one week after we had briefly stopped to pour out a bottle of pure water on an area of burnt, dry, barren ground. We were running late for a dinner appointment, so as we drove through the countryside, we remembered that this was where we had planned to do the act of pouring out the water. I slowed the car down to a virtual stop, and our son leaned out the window and poured out the water. I am not even sure we stopped long enough to say anything. Exactly one week later, it rained on that very spot – that small area was the only area in the state to get rain. Not only that, but it recorded twice the highest ever recorded rainfall for that area. Coincidence or not?

I believe God graciously allowed our family to see physically that prophetic acts do work as we then travelled interstate and overseas where we didn’t physically see any change at the time we carried out the prophetic actions, but we could have complete confidence that it was making a difference in the spiritual.

One such action was in our nation’s capital. As a family, we travelled to Canberra for a week because we believed God wanted us there. Sure, it was great educationally for the kids. Sure, it was a good time away as a family. But the primary significance was that we felt it was God’s timing, and He wanted us to do something there. I have full confidence that the prophetic actions we did joined with the prayers and prophetic actions of thousands of other Australians to bring a significant change. Exactly one week later, we watched our Prime Minister give her resignation speech and the incoming Prime Minister’s reply. As we were watching this event, our 10-year-old daughter asked, “Now what will happen to all those babies in their mum’s tummies who were going to be killed by the laws Julia Gillard wanted to introduce (for full-term abortion)”?

What is a prophetic act?

A prophetic act is something done (at God’s direction) in the natural (physical) realm that supports God’s workings in the spiritual realm to bring forth results manifested in the natural realm. It somehow opens the channel for God’s presence, power, and victory to be released to have an effect in the physical realm and change outcomes.

It is not a formula or method you can blindly follow to produce different results. God is not a respecter of formulas. It is also not always possible to fully explain or justify the sense behind a prophetic act with our human mind. It is also not worthwhile doing something that constitutes a prophetic act if it doesn’t first come from God.

Thus, it is a physical action that God gives you to do that becomes a sign and decree to forge a breakthrough in the spiritual realm. When praying for healing for someone, I may sense that God wants them to do a prophetic act, so I ask God for more details. I will share with the person I am praying for and give them an option. Do you feel you could, for example, take a step forward as a sign of stepping into the new mindset, etc.? Prophetic acts are powerful visual and kinaesthetic statements to the spirit world.

In today’s culture, we celebrate various occasions that once began as very symbolic and prophetic, but the significance may have dimmed for some people, e.g. 21st birthday key symbolising the key to the door, the wedding ring symbolising eternal love.

Biblical examples:

There are many prophetic acts throughout the Bible. Several examples are:

• Ezekial 4 – Lying on the left/right side, food, and drink preparation, prophesying to creation.
• Ezekial 37:1-14 – The valley of dry bones.                   
• 2 Kings 13:14-19 – Elisha – King Jehoash’s arrow.
• Exodus 17:1-7 raising rod and verses 8-16 raising arms against the Amalekites.
• Exodus 12 – Israelite families killed a lamb and put blood on their doorposts
• Joshua 10:12-14 – declaration for the sun to stand still.
• Jacob giving Joseph the multicoloured coat.
• Hosea – marrying a prostitute.
• John 2:1-12 – Jesus turning water into wine.
• John 9:1-7 – Jesus putting clay on the blind man’s eyes.

The action can be for intercession, warfare, healing, a call to ministry etc. It can hold the spiritual power necessary for fulfilment or breakthrough.

The action can be for intercession, warfare, healing, a call to ministry etc. It can hold the spiritual power necessary for fulfilment or breakthrough.

The main principle:

Ask God what the issue is and whether He wants you to do a prophetic action to facilitate change. If so, what prophetic action comes to mind? As always, act on it whenever you feel prompted by the Holy Spirit.

I would love to hear any current prophetic acts you are doing. Please feel free to comment below.

Prophetic Activations / Exercises to incorporate into your week:

Every blog post I list 5 prophetic activations/exercises under children/family, group, beginner, intermediate and advanced. The purpose of these exercises is to practice to help us hear God’s voice in a clearer manner. They sharpen our senses to hear and see and sense God and His way of communicating with us. This enables us to grow in our relationship with God and also to impart to others what God tells us for them. Feel free to use as many of these activations each week as you can. The more you practice, the sharper you become at hearing God’s voice. Enjoy! Remember that whenever you give another person a prophetic word or picture etc, please make sure that it is encouraging, edifying (strengthening) and comforting (1 Corinthians 14:3) and that it comes from a place of love.

1. Children / Families Activation: Gather bubble blowing equipment and a world map that can get wet. (I use a shower curtain with a world map printed on it.) Ask God to highlight to everyone which countries He would love to release joy into. Pray and have fun blowing bubbles as you release joy over those countries.

2. Group Activation: Beforehand gather items in a tool box that you can use for individual prophetic acts eg key, scissors, ribbon, ball, knife, pen & paper, bubbles, balloon, stone, scarf, etc plus a world map. As a group select a country and ask God for a current issue for that country. Then corporately ask God for a prophetic act that you could do for that nation so as to usher in a change. Carry out the prophetic act. Repeat the process individually for a different country.

3. Beginner Activation: What is your biggest need at home at the moment? Ask God to show/tell/give you a sense/idea of a prophetic act that you could do to change that situation and usher in breakthrough. Then do it.

4. Intermediate Activation: Spiritually map your local neighbourhood this week and ask God to show you the spiritual condition in this area. Ask God for an idea for a prophetic act to address an issue somewhere in your neighbourhood. Then carry out that prophetic act.

5. Advanced Activation: Ask God to show you His heart for your nation, a current national challenge, and for a prophetic act you can do to release breakthrough in this area.