And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:6-10 English Standard Version

A prophetic word is God's way of transitioning us into our new season.

If you read through Acts of the Apostles, it is evident that the Holy Spirit was actively directing and leading Paul through timely words of prophecy, visions and supernatural experiences. Hearing God is something we should long for, and our primary way of hearing God is through encountering Him in the Scripture. However, God will use many different ways to lead us into His intended future for us. And whatever means or methods God uses to convey His message, the content never contradicts God's Word.

After being stopped twice by the Holy Spirit from preaching the gospel in Asia, Paul was supernaturally redirected to plant churches in Macedonia. This episode reveals Paul's intimate partnership with the Holy Spirit to fulfil God's mission. God does not withhold His purpose from us, but we are to pursue God and His Kingdom first. As we take those steps of faith, God will incrementally grow our obedience until we are fully persuaded that God will do what He has promised.

There is nothing like a prophetic word from God.

In 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul tells us to passionately pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, and the gift we should want most is to be able to prophesy. A prophetic word will help people grow stronger in faith, and a means of encouragement and comfort during times of transition and change.

Let's look at some biblical examples of people whose lives were impacted by prophetic words. Paul found greater success and major breakthroughs when the Holy Spirit interrupted him with a prophetic word. Timothy was prompted to become an evangelist and a minister of God's Word in keeping to the prophecies previously made about him (1 Timothy 1:18). A timely word from Agabus prepared the church for famine (Acts 11:27-28).

If you have been given a prophetic word, you need to pray like Paul prayed for the Ephesians, that you would receive the "Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Ephesians 1:17-18 ESV) so as to partner with the Holy Spirit to move forward in new ways and new places.