Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“Always be ready” – for many Christians, that phrase reminds us of 1 Peter 3:15 where we’re to always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope within us. For the prison volunteer team last night, it meant something a little different. As we got to the prison chapel, the inmates were already there and seated, upending our normal routine of putting out hymnals and bibles and welcoming each man with a handshake and a smile. After a shaky start to the service, by the grace of God we didn’t let it diminish our reason for being there – to share the love of Christ with the men as we pray, sing, testify, and learn alongside them in a service of worship.
Prayer time began by encouraging everyone with some powerful promises to believers in Psalm 91:
If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he orders his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue them and honor them.
I will satisfy them with a long life
and give them my salvation.” (Psalm 91:9-16)
Erwin picked up on that theme with his message in 1st service centered on Jesus’ story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. Death is not the end, the Greek word used actually means separation (of body, soul, and spirit). How we live this life by the choices we make will determine our ultimate destination – with God in Heaven and eternal bliss, or without God in Hell and eternal torment. Erwin emphasized that these are real places, and although Jesus told many parables, this was a real story to illustrate that it is of ultimate importance to choose Jesus while still in the land of the living.
Marty, one of our new team members, delivered his first-ever message in 2nd service. He quizzed the men on how do we get to heaven? The most common belief across all religions is by doing good things. If so, what kind of good things must we do? Many agree sticking to the 10 commandments is essential, but we even mess that up. Interestingly, most people believe they are going to heaven, but that’s not what Jesus said. He walked us through Matthew 5 where Jesus amplified several commandments to prove we could never do good – no not one! What’s the solution? Jesus said repent and believe on Him – He gave himself for us as a gift, and that gift must be received by faith.
We believe God honors your gifts of faithful prayer for those in prison and their prayer requests, which is a great comfort to all the men we encounter in prison. Thank you for such great support each and every week. Please know that what you do makes a real difference in many lives! Prayer is essential in the life of a Christian, and is powerful for those enduring trials of many kinds. May God bless you in a special way this week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Female Inmate Prayer Request from Chaplain Rhonda:
V. J. – going to court on Wed., she has 5 children at home; she’s dealt with some major losses in the past year, including death of a grandmother as well as the father of her children; dejected and despondent, she is asking for prayer; she is Muslim
Inmate Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm service):
- John– all of our families, to experience mercy and forgiveness in upcoming court dates, for my kids, for all those who pray for us, safe travels for volunteers, and for healing of my eyes.
- Joel– my family- Mom, brothers, sisters, nephews across NY and Philly, for everyone here, thanks for volunteers, and thanks to God who is good, I pray he’s there for us, for peace, and for good leaders.
- Joe– wisdom for us to fully understand what Jesus did for us, and God’s unconditional love. Pray for my twin daughters in the hospital with covid/RSV/RINO viruses, they are both 1yr 4mos old, may they be healed and out of the hospital quickly.
- Angel– for the volunteers coming out, for world peace, my Mom, and for the person who stole my Jeep from the driveway- help with forgiveness.
- Dan– pray for Moose back on the block, and strength for my daughter Riley being in court tomorrow for the case of her boyfriend’s murder where she must re-live the pain and face the attackers.
- Andy L– my neighbor who is a 38 year old single mom of 2 kids went to church yesterday for the first time, pray she will continue to make steps towards accepting Christ.
- Matt R– my best friend Shaun- his wife Megan has terminal cancer and given 12 weeks to live, they have 3 children under 7. Her cancer was discovered last year during birth of 3rd child.
- Andy D– my friend Miller has stage 4 cancer.
- Joe– for the men on L block who couldn’t come to services tonight but wanted to.
- Kaylon– God give us clarity of your will for our lives, especially once we are out of here.
- Al– to create a new self and overcome the old self.
- Deshawn– for progression of the human race and to thrive.
Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)
- Craig– my wife Kay in Georgia, my children, my family at large, and healing for Harry back on the block who is not well. God protect us from illness spreading in this place. And may we all be not just hearers but doers of the Word.
- Martin– my family, my successful recovery, and for the volunteers that come each week.
- Logan– praise God for giving me a second chance, give us all a second chance.
- Phil T– my daughter got engaged Saturday night to a good guy who’s a Christian – God please bless that marriage and may they be blessed with children.
- Craig– for Jeremiah’s upcoming court date, that God would allow him to go home- he’s served so much time. Pray that we might unite when we get out on the streets.
- Matt R– my friend Kathy having tough time with her marriage to unfaithful husband – struggling through divorce with 2 young kids in the middle and the husband struggling with addiction. We pray healing and wholeness for all involved.
- Andy D– my sister Donna dealing with cancer and her husband is in the hospital with sepsis in kidneys, plus they have marital issues. Pray the God would use these circumstances for her to be saved.
- Jose G– my friend Tim (60) became a believer, but his heart is broken for his 5 children who are all still lost. Pray they may all find their way to saving knowledge of Christ.
- Rick– for our brother Matt who is carrying the shared weight of his friend’s heavy trials – give him strength to endure and when he’s wiped out, be his strength.
Prayers from Onesimus Ministries
- The Board of Directors is humbled and very thankful to our great God for his provision of a very generous offering by a local congregation. And we are continually thankful for all the individuals, organizations, and churches whose ongoing faithful support is vital to this ministry. It’s simply amazing to see how God works through his people.
- We lift up chaplains Heinrich and Rhonda serving so faithfully among all the inmates, staff, and families connected with Chester County Prison. Father, empower them through your Spirit to do all you call them to each day, and may everyone they touch feel your love and presence through them. May the staff continue to hold them in high regard, and may their personal lives be filled with your love.
- We ask for God’s healing upon those dealing will illness and infirmity within the prison, and that illnesses would be contained and not spread. Please restore strength to those who are weak, and we lift up a special prayer for your servant Jack Crans to be healed from his cancer.
- We pray for peace within the prison population, and among the officers and inmates. Please bless the home life of staff members that they may be refreshed after working long hours and many shifts due to staffing shortages. We pray for new hires to relieve the stress on staff.
- We lift up aftercare ministries across our county to have all they need in resources and support to effectively mentor and minister to women and men recently released from prison. May there be significant growth as they walk the journey of faith together, building upon the foundation of Christ alone. May each volunteer and staff member find their service fulfilling, and may each client walk closer with the Lord each day.
If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.
These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/
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