Nothing is automatic in the kingdom of God. We must learn how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He works in us and in our circumstances to accomplish His purposes. Laying on of hands with prophecy may confirm God’s calling upon an individual-that is, it may make him sure of the direction he has already received from God. In this way it releases him to function with confidence. Laying on of hands with prophecy may stimulate faith by opening up new avenues of revelation. It may stir the resident gifts into active operation. But it will never substitute for personal growth in discipline, submission, faith, and service.

We must totally invest ourselves in God’s purposes.

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all (1 Timothy 4:15).

We must study.

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine (1 Timothy 4:13).

We must discipline ourselves.

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shall both save thyself, and them that hear thee (1 Timothy 4:16).

We must allow God to rekindle our gift periodically.

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:6, 7).

So, whether or not God has spoken to us prophetically, we must be diligent in these four matters of commitment, study, discipline and yieldedness in order to be ready for future ministry. God is not magic and is not limited to methods. It is not a sign of spiritual maturity to sit around “waiting” for laying on of hands before beginning to make positive contributions to the kingdom of God. One important principle in guidance is this: “I being in the way-already functioning to the best of my ability-God led me.” often we discover our calling as we find out for what we are best suited.