What is Prophetic Art?

The plan the Lord had given me for a new piece. The painting is still in the works, but I hope to reveal it soon.

Humans have the incredible ability to create beauty. Sometimes that beauty has a purpose, sometimes that beauty is simply to be appreciated. We are innovative, imaginative, resourceful, and creative. Out of the intrinsic curiosity that drives us to discover and advance, we have developed and fashioned civilizations that continue to progress. Inventions such as the telephone paved the way for advances in technology that have united humanity in ways unseen in history. Or how many times do you hear movie or TV show quotes coming from the people around you? Those movies don’t just entertain, often they have life lessons or characters that inspire us. Creativity has the power to shape culture.

Humans are inherently creative. Lack of artistic ability doesn’t equate to lack of creativity. Creativity isn’t just expressed through the arts, but also in our ability to imagine, invent, build, and problem-solve. We use our creativity when we set goals and make plans, when we make dinner, or think of new ways to express our love to our significant other. Our creativity is a part of us that reflects God.

When the Bible introduces a new character or item, it will often share something about them. In Genesis 1:1, at the very beginning of the Bible, we read, “God created the heavens and the earth.” What does this say about God? I believe that it says God is creative. If we read further, we come to the part where God creates man. In verse 26, it says, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” (NIV). What is one of the first things we learn about mankind? Man is made to be like God. Now, if mankind is made to be like God and God is creative, therefore, mankind is also creative. Creativity is an innate part of all of us. God made us creative, and He desires to use us, as His children, to reveal His love to the rest of humanity. Our creativity is not exempt from His use.

Now, as I’m an artist, I will be writing primarily through the lens of fine art; however, the principles found here can apply to any form of creativity.

Did you know that there is biblical precedence for God anointing artists for His work? In Exodus 31, God appoints Bezalel, from the tribe of Judah, and Oholiab, from the tribe of Dan, to build and construct the Tabernacle according to His designs. He also calls all the craftsmen in Israel to help them. He then fills Bezalel with His Spirit, giving him the skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts so he can make artistic designs out of precious metals, stones, wood and do any other kind of craftsmanship. The Tabernacle was the house of worship for Israel before the Temple was constructed. I find it interesting that the first artists in the Bible to be filled with Holy Spirit were filled for worship.

Worship is the foundation of everything we do as humans, including art. Everything we do and create can be towards the glory of God. Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” (NIV). Revealed in this verse, is God’s greatest desire from our worship: us. Worship is us giving everything we are to God. Prophetic art always comes from a place of worship. It comes from a place of intimacy and friendship with God. Worship is the heart from which we are meant to create.

This is a small piece I did at a coffee shop. The word that went with it was about fighting human trafficking which the receiver had been thinking about getting involved in.

With all that said, what is prophetic art? Simple, God filling and speaking through our art. Prophetic art is us partnering with God and displaying His heart of love through creativity. 1 Corinthians 14:3 describes prophecy as God speaking through us to strengthen, encourage, and comfort others. God is good, and whenever He speaks, He speaks to build us up and draw us closer to Himself. When we partner with God to create, each painting, song, dance, poem is an encounter with His love.

Prophetic art, while it may sound intimidating, is not hard. The artwork doesn’t have to be good by conventional standards. God can use anything. I can even recall testimonies of Him bringing healing to people through the drawings of stick figures! Our kids at my church have scribbled on pictures of gingerbread men to show what they felt God was saying He wanted to heal – and you know what? He healed! God doesn’t need your art to be perfect; He just needs your yes. The art isn’t meant to draw awe to your skill, it is meant to draw people into an encounter with God. It is meant to reveal Jesus.

I once had a drawing of three feathers. Honestly, it was more of a scribble of three feathers. I can’t remember the colours exactly, but I do remember yellow, red and green being on the paper. The paper was printer paper, and the pencil crayons weren’t anything fancy. The Lord had me draw the feathers and then pointed out a pregnant woman to me. I approached her and said I felt like the Lord had given me a picture for her baby. I felt like the baby was a boy, but I didn’t say that as we have a general rule in the church that you don’t prophesy dates, mates or babies. But I did ask her if she knew the gender.

“Yep! It’s a boy!”

Awesome! I got that one right! I prophesied something about her baby having a heart of worship like King David and quoted a Psalm. She beamed and said that she had been praying those exact things, even that Psalm, over her baby boy right in that moment. God heard her, and then, as confirmation for her, he had me draw three simple feathers to give to her. Isn’t that beautiful!

God can and will use your art to draw people closer to Him if you say yes to Him. Why don’t you try it right now? Find a quiet spot and have some supplies ready – it could even be a napkin and a ball point pen. Ask God, “What is something you love about me?” Wait a few moments and listen. When you are ready, draw what He showed you. You can ask Him more questions like, “How should I draw that?” or “What colour should that be (if you’re using colours)?” Follow His direction. When you are done, write down everything He says about your drawing.

Don’t get discouraged if it’s a little tough, everything takes practice. The more you practice hearing God’s voice, the quicker you will recognize Him speaking. I will write another journal entry about hearing God’s voice a little later, but right now, if you are struggling to hear, I want you to know that He wants to speak to you. It is an absolute lie that God does not, will not, and desires not to speak to you. There is no biblical precedence for that. If your heart is turned towards Him and you desire to hear Him, He will speak. Often, He speaks through the voice in your head and discerning that can take practice. But if you don’t get anything else out of this entry, get this, God does not withhold Himself from His children. You will hear His voice and He desires to be close to you.

Be blessed!