1 Corinthians 14:39 - Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

This is the gift that we are all encouraged to "earnestly desire". This gift is for every born again, spirit filled believer. We are all encouraged to prophesy. The key is to earnestly desire this gift.

The Gift of Prophecy is one of the 9 Gifts of the Spirit mentioned in:

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Prophecy is only one of the nine gifts. The Holy Spirit knows which gift is needed at anyone time. The Holy Spirit distributes the gift that is needed for the individual need. We may think that we need to prophesy but the Holy Spirit may want the Gift of the working of miracles to operate. By being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will learn to know which Gift the Holy Spirit is prompting us to operate in.

Romans 8:14 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God

1 Corinthians 14:1 - Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Gifts are wonderful and to be desired but we have to look at our motive. Do I desire to prophesy because it gets attention, or is my desire to obey God and bless His people?

What is the best gift? If we were to look at the nine gifts of the Spirit they would all look like the best gift. Each and every one of the nine gifts is the best. They measure up equally. The best gift on anyone occasion would be the gift that the Holy Spirit desires to use. If He wants healing to operate, then the gift of healings would be the best gift. If He wants to speak to the people in public, then perhaps prophecy. The best gift is the one most needed at anyone time.

1 Corinthians 12:31 - But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. So, I should not only earnestly desire to prophesy. I should earnestly desire to use the gift that the Holy Spirit desires me to use.

We should always remember the fact that God is speaking through an imperfect channel, the human channel. The prophetic word may not come out as clearly as it should. When we prophesy we give ourselves over to the Holy Spirit. We are told in the bible to judge prophecy. We are not to judge the person, but the prophetic word.

1 Corinthians 14:29 - Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

It is up to us to judge the prophetic words that come. We cannot just believe everything. We should train our spirits to be sensitive to the waves of the spirit. We should not be alarmed if we make a mistake. Use every mistake as a learning curve. Judge our own prophecy and take note of where we felt we went wrong. If we are unclear about it, clear it with someone that we can trust. We should all be able to help each other without becoming critical. We all desire to be used of God and be as accurate as possible.

The Holy Spirit gifts are in us. It is up to us if we want to use them or not. The Holy Spirit will never force us to prophesy. He will gently try to urge us but never push. We may exercise one of the nine gifts more than the other. We should not limit ourselves to one or two. God wants us to use them all. We should not refuse the gifts of God, but open our hands and heart to all that God has for us.

My motive for zealously desiring the gift of prophecy should be measured against my zeal for the church. Prophecy outside the church is not what God is wanting. God operates through the local church and so should we.

In all instances whether by the prophet or the gift of prophecy, the spirit of the one who speaks is subject to the person who speaks. In other words, we can control our speech until the appropriate time. We must learn to operate our gifts in order and not wildly and out of control.

1 Corinthians 14:32 - And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

1 Corinthians 14:33 - For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

The word may truly be of the Spirit but will be lost if not brought out with Godly wisdom. God is not confused; He is a God of order.

If God has given the preacher a message to preach, then He will surely not interrupt Himself, with another word by prophecy or a spiritual song. He does not reign in confusion, but in peace and order.

If we are not sure as to when to bring our prophetic word in a meeting, rather wait, than disrupt the meeting. God will teach us His timing and His place for the flow of the prophetic gifts.