Journey With Prayer | Engaging in Apostolic Mission

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This is journey with prayer, a contemplated prayer journey

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corresponding to our episode, Leading Differently Together,

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Apostolic, with our guest Donovan Friesen.

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And god is appointed in the church first apostles,

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second prophets, 3rd teachers, then miracles,

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then gifts of healing, helping, administration, and

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various kinds of tongues. First Corinthians 12

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28 to 29 in the ESV.

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Father, in the vast expanse of your church, you

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have raised up apostles, those with gifts to

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lead, to plant, and to build, and to expand the

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horizons of your kingdom.

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We stand here in awe of your wisdom that in each generation,

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you call forth men and women to be the carriers of your

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vision, the architects of faith communities, and the catalysts

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for transformation. And we thank

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you for the unique apostolic anointing placed upon your

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servants. We're thankful for their obedience and for

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their vision and for their readiness to forge pathways in

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uncharted territories for the sake of the gospel.

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And we ask that you would pour on them your abundance of grace

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that they may continue to lay foundations where none

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exist, speaking into being that which we cannot

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see and reflects your kingdom.

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And we know that we are all broken people, So we ask for

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protection and that you would build them up and surround

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them with people to encourage them, uphold them, and strengthen

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them as they lead the way. And we

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ask that you would knit together the body of Christ

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more tightly in love, wisdom, and understanding.

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And help us to recognize and esteem the variety of gifts

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that you've distributed among us that we might collaborate

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effectively honoring the contributions of everyone, of your

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whole body. May we become a

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living testament to your design, diverse in

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function, and yet united in purpose, collectively

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demonstrating the fullness of Christ?

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And would you root us deeply in love, anchoring us firmly in the

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truth of your word? And may we grow in every way

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into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole

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body joined and held together finds harmony and

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growth. And we ask that you would empower

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your apostles to walk boldly in their calling

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and inspire each of us to embrace and support the

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vibrant gifts within your church. In Jesus'

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name,

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amen. So as you go through your week, I wanna encourage you.

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Take the time to reflect. Reflect on

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the diversity of the roles in the church as stated in 1st Corinthians

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12/28 to 29, and examine your personal

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understanding of the apostolic gift and how it complements the

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other gifts within the church. Secondly,

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engage. Look for opportunities to engage and

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learn from those who have the apostolic calling.

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And if possible, initiate dialogue with them to understand their

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vision and challenges and to explore how you might be a part of that

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apostolic mission. And finally, pray.

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Make prayer an intentional focus, and you can use these 3

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prayer points. Pray for the discernment and the

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empowerment of individuals with apostolic gifts in your community

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that they may be effective and courageous in their unique callings.

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And pray for the church that they might be receptive to the

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pioneering work of the apostles, whether in church planting,

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cross cultural missions, or innovative ministries,

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and to support these ventures with resources, prayer, or a shared

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vision. And finally, pray for your personal growth

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that you might understand your role within the body of Christ.

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Ask God to reveal how you can contribute to the apostolic efforts

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in your own context. Perhaps it's through prayer, service,

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or giving. And you could check the show notes for these references,

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prayers, and scriptures. Or to find out more about the podcast, head over to

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journey with care dotca. I'm Johan, and thanks

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for praying with me today.