The gift of prophecy isn't just for pastors, prophets, evangelists and apostles; it's for the Church! Every Christian ought to prophesy. Moses, in the Old Testament understood the power and importance of prophecy and wished that all of God's children prophesied (Numbers 11:29).
However, if you're born again and have received the Holy Spirit, you've received the divine enablement and the inspiration to prophesy. To prophesy is to speak forth the Word of God in power, whether by foretelling future events, or as a word of power to cause a change in the now!
The Bible says, "...he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church" (1 Corinthians 14:3-4). When you declare the mind of God in prophecy, others are edified, strengthened, and comforted. So you see, prophecy doesn't make one a "spiritual detective" to fish out brethren who are supposedly not living right; it's for the edification of the Body of Christ. This is why you must desire to prophesy, for the words you speak forth in prophecy will build fellow believers.
Moreover, with the gift of prophecy, you can chart your course in perpetual victory and triumph. You can prophesy your way out of any trouble. Ezekiel was brought before a valley of dry bones where the Lord asked him, "Can these bones live?" That was an impossible situation, but the Lord said to him, "Prophesy to these bones". As soon as Ezekiel complied, a great miracle took place; the bones came together, every bone to its bone (Ezekiel 37:7).
This lets you know what God expects: that you prophesy your way out of any negative situation. Don't let the challenges you face drown your faith; prophesy your health, success, prosperity and victory. Perhaps you were told it's only one of your kidneys that's working right; or that one of your lungs has failed; refuse to be dismayed; don't panic. Prophesy! Through prophecy, the dead one, like those "dry bones", will come back alive! Halleluiah!