Customer Reviews

Developing Your Prophetic Gifting

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Let me just say that I've always been open to the person of the Holy Spirit. That being said the key word is "open." I don't currently speak in tongues and I have not prophesied. I graduated from a southern baptist seminary but my own denomination is the christian missionary alliance which means we are missional in our outlook, and theologically it varies from church to church in their practice of the gifts.

Reading this book was refreshing. I am someone who has seen mishandling of gifts for self glory, but Graham Cooke is very firm on his desire to see the body edified and Christ glorified. His description of prophecy is from the Bible and not made-up. He gives practical steps for how to seek God (and the gift of prophecy since Paul tells us to do so). What I like most about this book is that Cooke doesn't just focus on an individual learning how to prophesy but his passion is to help the church learn how to create accountability, judge what is being said, and allow prophecy to really bless and not head the wrong direction. That's awesome. He wants to see pastors, elders, prophets, and the whole body come together and work together. he's not really for that whole prophet being a show deal. He gives practical examples for individuals seeking the gift and then gives a framework for how to utilize the gift in the local church. He gives a lot of good warnings, things to avoid or watch for, so that we do not get in the way of God speaking. Very comprehensive.

Lastly, even if your skeptical it's a good read and a good balanced perspective on the gift(s). At the very least it will give you a great appreciation from the other side of the spectrum. I never felt like there were any good or real arguments for dispensationalism anyway. Sorry if you are passionate about it. There's just no biblical evidence for it and I have friends and pastors who are dispensationalist and I just see a lacking of vibrancy and empowerment outside of themself.

Be blessed.

As I progessed through this book, I was very impressed by how thoroughly Graham Cooke addressed every major issue concerning prophesying. This book can help the beginner, but a book like James Goll's Beginner Guide might be better to get started. This book contains "strong meat" for those who are serious about further developing their gifting. This is a manual to keep on hand to use to "check yourself" from time to time. I love his character building advice; he is very sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and has a very seasoned perspective. I would recommend this book to anyone who is in leadership or feels they will be in leadership especially. This is a must read.

Finding a book about prophecy isn't that difficult. Finding a good book about prophecy (other than The Good Book) is very difficult. Graham's book is a refreshing change from most of what is currently available.

Keeping a balanced and thoroughly scriptural approach to an often misunderstood gift, Graham gives a practical overview of dealing with the prophetic, from gifting to office. He deals extensively with the prophetic's role and relation to local church leadership, and lays out a common sense method of employing, judging, and encouraging sound biblical prophecy in a local church setting.

I highly recommend this book as a guide to pastors and others who are interested in better understanding the role and meaning of the prophetic in their everyday lives.

Graham Cooke is a great prophet of God and an excellent teacher. I have just about every book that he has written to this day. He has a lot of revelation in his teaching. This book is excellent, easy to read and has lots of information. I read it years ago when it first came out and when I read it now (updated version) I am able to get so much more out of it because of where I am now with my walk with the Lord. I listened to many of his audio teachings, watched his DVDs and I highly recommend ANYTHING from Graham Cooke.

This book is the best, most balanced guide to prophecy and the development of the gift in individuals and the local church I have read to date. It's hard to single out any one aspect but I especially appreciated discussions around the prophet working WITH the pastor and teacher, the evangelist and apostle to build up the body and bring glory to Christ.

The book provides ample encouragement and guidance for individuals seeking to develop their gifting, and an extremely practical set of guidelines and suggestions for churches wishing to create an environment for God's voice to be heard in this way. Conversely, much damage has been done by misuse or mishandling of prophecy; Cooke sounds a warning (in love) for those situations where 'prophetic' ministries are being exercised in an unaccountable and uncontrolled manner. We should not treat prophecies with contempt, but we should also test everything (1 Thess 5:20-21)

One very minor point is that it's written with a US target audience in mind, and as a result some of the narrative was longer than necessary in an attempt to contextualise some of the anecdotes. That said, I heartily recommend this book to anyone who wishes to grow in this area - it's without doubt the most significant book I have read in 2006 (apart from the Bible!)

This book was required reading for our ministry teams at church. It should be required reading for anyone in the prophetic ministry today. My pastor affectionately calls this book, "The Cooke Book" for the prophetic. Truly, it serves up the right recipe for understanding and using the prophetic gifts in body ministry. I had to grow another brain to remember everything Cooke says in this manual. But, it was worth it!

The text is comprehensive and thorough in laying a biblical foundation regarding prophecy and its use in the church (although I hear rumor that it is to become a 6 volume set!). Cooke writes from the heart and packs his message with warmth, wisdom and practical insight gained from years of prophetic ministry experience. We should all listen well.

Graham hammers home the need for a framework of accountability in leadership, stating that leadership without accountability is unbiblical. He focuses on character, relationships and partnerships in the Body as much as the practice and role of the prophet. How refreshing! Of particular value is his loving treatment of how to handle "wrong" prophecy and discerning the difference between false prophecy and poor prophecy.

This is a must read for anyone with a desire to function in prophecy in a way that truly edifies and builds up the church.

He is a powerful man. He is as much a catalyst in the arena of teaching you to hear God as he is a International Prophet. Though...he does and is both. He has a wonderful ministry traveling and teaching a school of the Prophets.

If you get a chance to see him...its worth driving up to 10 hours.

This book is written in a clear and easy to understand style, yet teaches deep truths. Excellent as a primer on the prophetic, yet also encouraging and insightful for those who have experience in prophetic ministry. It would make an excellent textbook for a class on the prophetic. De-mystifies, clarifies. Very practical and biblical.

I had the distinct pleasure of being a lead worshipper at a Graham Cooke conference. The conference was named after this book. I read the book right after the conference. Getting to know Graham personally helped in each hard lesson of this book. He has some stinging words (as do most prophets) but mostly words of love and encouragement. Even the stinging words are filled with love. This man has the Father's heart and yet he is extremely funny. It comes out in the book as well. I grew up Southern Baptist and this book really helped me understand the prophetic and God used Graham to bring out the prophetic in me. Praise God! I strongly recommend you to check out this book!

Graham is an amazing prophet and a Prophetic teacher. He seems to be anointed in many ways. He has had the prophetic and signs and wonders in his life for many years. He has walked the walk and knows the Lord. He has acted and operated both prophetically and as a Prophetic teacher and Judge with a long and successful track record.

I would recomend this to the novice and to the advanced. This is helpful in all areas of the Prophetic and for those just hoping to know more.