PROPHETIC WORDS
A RETURN TO AUTHENTICITY
by Denise Cooper
March 2026
This prophetic word was given at the NZ Council of Prophets gathering and Behold Conference in Christchurch, March 2026.
The word the Lord has given me for this year is Authenticity. The meaning is words like ‘genuine’ and ‘real’.
In Scripture Daniel shows us what authenticity and integrity look like. He protected values, and when he stood up for righteousness’s sake, he brought change to the culture of the day in a time when idol worship was at its peak.
2 Cor 7: 11, “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
This is a call from heaven that sins committed in the body, attitudes, ideas or words that pollute the spirit should be dealt with.
Esther was prepared to go before the King with fasting and prayer. The church needs to separate itself to God in prayer.
John 7:17, “Sanctify themselves by the truth; your word is truth.”
The church needs to cleanse itself with God’s word
John 7:19, “For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
Meaning that as we sanctify ourselves, our people become sanctified.
1 Thess 5:23, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Authenticity
God is calling the church back to values that represent Him authentically. He will never accept fake. Fake is a deception from the enemy that He won’t tolerate. In all we do in life and church ministries, there is a fresh call for truth and honesty.
This next generation sees through hypocrisy and craves truth. God is calling the church to stand up and give them exactly that – honesty, truth, and a genuine move of God that changes lives.
So, in saying this, with a humble heart I ask that we spend time with the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to show us where we have, or are being, inauthentic in our Christian walk, and that He would reveal to us those moments, that we would repent and He would cleanse us.
Holy Spirit, come, cleanse our mouths and heal our hearts for YOU to use.
BIO
Denise Cooper co-pastors Empower Church, in Christchurch, alongside her husband, David. Denise’s passion for seeing people reach their potential in the things of God is what drives her. She leads from the front through engaging stories, humour and experiences from her life as a wife, a mother and a Pastor.
She is also known for her powerful dreams, visions and Holy Spirit encounters. Whether preaching or praying for people, Denise always ministers from a strong prophetic anointing and she also carries great authority in deliverance ministry. She knows how to work with the Holy Spirit to lead people into an encounter with Jesus, and loves nothing more than seeing people achieve their God-given purpose in life.