The prophet's handbook

strength. Here is the reason why prophets can endure hardships that would crush the normal soul and bounce back a thousand times over. A more than rugged constitution, though not necessarily impenetrable, makes these messengers resilient beyond typical human measures and means. The spirits of the prophets within cause them to heal faster, mend quicker, and—under the sentence of the “thorn”—function superbly under stress and duress. Why? Because of the great power that is at work in their souls. It is a power that does not come upon prophets suddenly, and it is not irresponsibly conferred by the Lord. No, a prophet’s power and stamina come from the continuous breaking, shaping, remaking, and dynamic power of the Holy Spirit that prepared the vessel for the Master’s use. The process is so strenuous and the pruning so severe that many Christians cannot bear up under it. Prophetic Readiness Prophetic readiness involves a rigorous series of drills, object lessons, and humiliating experiences that challenge, chasten, train, and even scold all newcomers to the office. Regularly this agent of the Godhead is morally crushed to destroy the ego that would rise up to compete or contend with its Maker. Suffering defeats more than victories in the beginning, this servant is God’s molded marvel; one of the undefined features that accounts for His submitted prophets’ success. All that God puts His prophets through to confirm their faithfulness, allegiance, and endurance, normal Christians never imagine, let alone experience, in their daily human existence. The specially arranged lessons, practices, and correction, along with extensive studies, are what make prophets the unusual people they eventually become. The Lord’s prophetic readiness program puts trainees in touch with the real world they will serve. For this reason, the curriculum consists of a good amount of early rejection, stubborn perseverance, brutal trials, and harsh pressures to toughen the ministers enough to survive and thrive under the strenuous assignments and persecution that come with the position. On top of everything else, prophet trainees encounter constant exposure to the spirit realm, which eventually ends up severing them from this world forever. As time moves on and God moves in closer every year, the prophet in truth becomes a citizen of heaven. These and similar activities all have a huge part in the caliber of minister most prophets turn out to be. Think about some of the recorded incidents that took place in the lives of our biblical models: Isaiah, caught up to heaven to literally see with his own eyes the