I’ve heard it prophesied that revival is going to begin in our youth. I went through a season a few years ago when every time I would hear this word I would weep uncontrollably, but I had no idea why. Something was stirring in my heart that my head had yet to comprehend.
Then the Lord spoke to me. He said that revival is not coming from the youth; revival is coming from one big generation—old, young, and middle-aged. He gave me a mental picture of a father with two daughters. The father said to one daughter, “You’re beautiful,” and said nothing to the second. The scene changed and repeated two more times. The Lord said to me, “Omission is powerful. When you say ‘Revival is coming to the youth,’ you’re sending a message to my older and middle-aged people.”
Then the Lord asked me, “What generation does your culture honor? In modern culture, people fight to be and look young.” He proceeded to ask, “What generation does my Bible honor?” He reminded me of Psalm 133, and that the anointing starts from the top of Aaron’s head and flows downhill.
Acts 2:17-18 says, “In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.'”
We can see in this passage that revival doesn’t have a gender, it doesn’t have a generation and it doesn’t have a social class!
There’s been a lot of talk recently around millennials, and how revival will come through them. I love the millennials. They are the most brilliant, creative, innovative generation to ever grace this planet! They will bring a unique Kingdom perspective to the earth that no other generation before them has. However, this will only reach its fullest expression in partnership with middle-aged and elderly people. The anointing will flow in its fullest form from the head, downhill.
Today I’ve asked a powerful young prophetess, Hayley Braun — who spoke at the School of the Prophets in August 2019 — to speak into this and share about her experience in being called to the office of the prophet. As an overseer in our Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, Hayley has the opportunity to serve and minister to several generations, primarily millennials. She has a wealth of knowledge and insight that I believe will empower millennials to walk in truth and clarity in their call, and will aide older generations in working with millennials to bring the Kingdom to earth in powerful and effective ways! Let’s dive into this interview!
2. Q: WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR STRUGGLES WHEN YOU FIRST RECEIVED
YOUR CALL TO THE OFFICE OF THE PROPHET?
HOW DID YOU WORK THROUGH THEM?
A: I think millennials are amazing; I am very excited about this generation! A lot has been said negatively about them and a lot of the concerns are facts, but I know the Lord has a great plan for them.
I’m excited about a generation that’s equipped with information at their fingertips because I believe at some point they will realize just because it is out there does not mean it is accurate. Millennials will have to learn how to discern truth, and as they seek the truth they will find Him. I know that Jesus is the only way, so they will find out the Truth if they’re looking for it.
In regards to millennial prophets, one of the biggest obstacles we push up against is the pace at which culture runs. We can “connect” so easily these days, whether through social media or the internet — the average Instagram user will scroll once every one to two seconds, meaning to grab the attention of people these days you have to do it quickly — and though we are the most “connected” we are the most emotionally disconnected generation. Many millennials are virtually connected but not personally connected to anything real or tangible.
For this generation to thrive they need to intentionally slow down.
This generation has formed an unhealthy habit: silence, stillness, and solitude have been weeded out because we have the ability to be fed by information or some kind of interest at all times.
This is the challenge; to connect with God is not going to take one second, it requires being silent, alone and still.
Rest is almost counter-cultural but it is vital for our spiritual, physical and emotional health.
The prophets need to be rooted and grounded in the word and to not be swayed by the wind of their culture; to move at the pace of God and not the pace of the on-demand culture.
They’ll have to push back against the demand of production and learn that abiding in His Presence, daily, is the most productive.