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My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Ever wonder if you’re really following God’s leading when it doesn’t seem to make sense? Then it all comes together when He lets you see why? That happened to me (again) last Thursday, as it was my turn to preach. At least a week ahead of time, I start praying for inspiration on what to preach. Days went by, and nothing came to mind. Monday night rolled around, and both prison services had the same message from different volunteers – the armor of God in Ephesians 6. A familiar lesson, and it’s preached often in prison.
The idea stuck with me. I looked up the last time I preached it – April 2024, not that long ago. God, are you sure? Aren’t we over-doing it a bit? I scanned my notes and felt uninspired to just “dust off” that message and give it again, so I started from scratch. The Lord showed me a few things I never saw before – like direct links to Jesus in each piece of armor. Thursday came, and I felt we should begin chapel time with prayer requests. The first man described how his faith was drifting, he lost his bearings, and was losing control of his behavior because of his situation. I looked at another volunteer who knew my topic and we just smiled. This man desperately needed the armor of God in his situation.
I love it when God shows us why He led us somewhere. He doesn’t need to – He owes us nothing – but I think He likes to inspire and fill us with enthusiasm over what He’s doing and how He lets us be a part of it. And we are all so grateful for all of you being a part of what we’re doing in this prison ministry. It takes many parts to keep moving forward, and your support through prayer and other means is vital – Thank You! May God bless you in a special and powerful way this week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):
- Larry– I’m drifting from God, losing my bearings, and starting to lose control of my behavior. I’m supposed to be out on bail, but it feels like everyone is messing with me. It’s really discouraging and I pray I’ll be getting out soon.
- Kenneth– my girl is going through trials in her move to Virginia – she’s really discouraged that her plans keep changing. I pray she can keep focus and not be discouraged. Also want to pray for Charlie who missed church last two times – pray he comes back and for the situation with his Mom having a stroke and not doing well – pray for her healing. Also pray for the volunteers and their families.
- Roland– praying for inspiration on my message to preach next week, since I thought it was going to be the armor of God. Lord, lead me to the right scriptures.
- José– for my wife (Yolanda), she has diabetes.
- Kenneth– prison system not helpful – oppressive – seems to be going in wrong direction with good officers leaving under new administration – I pray for attitudes of helpfulness.
- Kenny– my brother is back safe from Mexico – he had a blast. Mom is working crazy hours (3am-2pm), Dad is working a lot, sister just seems to work and sleep. Pray for my back pain- sciatica on right side, they give me Motrin and anti-depressants. Pray that my time continues to go smooth and fast, for my family, and my friends especially Frances and Jimmie.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- John– pray God would return us to our families soon.
- Demonte– court date on Feb 3
- Drake– grateful to be back in church, it’s been a while (was moved to other block). Pray for guidance when I’m out, and a solid home plan, and thankful for my outside support system.
- John#2– thanks for answered prayer with cease fire and hostages being released. Pray for family, kids, grandkids, and victims of California wildfires.
- Michael– my Aunt Louis has terminal cancer- pray I can be released to see her and take care of things, this is really tough on my Mom.
- Nicholas– my granddaughter was born the other day – praise God.
- Kevin– for God to keep everyone and give us peace.
- Jose G– for the salvation of all the souls in Chester County Prison.
- Jim M– for the inmate (Daniel) who couldn’t sleep last week. [Daniel replied that he did actually get some sleep after church last week]
- Dan T– my brother-in-law in facility in Florida to deal with grief- blames self for son’s suicide- pray he would seek the Lord and God would release his burden.
- Stefan– Ancestors watch over me and get me home safe. [For accuracy, that was the request, however I prayed for God to watch over him]
- Rick C– safe travels for volunteer Jose and wife headed to Colorado for 3 weeks to spend time with new grandchild (first one).
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Buck– for judge to have favorable opinion of me in court tomorrow at 1:30pm
- Jeremiah– thanks to volunteers coming out and taking care of us. For my sister Tamica with stage 4 ovarian cancer and going through surgeries. For my District Attorney to have a softened heart and bring my case to conclusion in my favor – it’s been 4 years of waiting.
- Eddie– guidance and wisdom for myself and so I can help others
- Logan– for the Lord to provide for my wife and kids. And for my brother to come to the Lord.
- Rick C– for volunteer Jim who was supposed to have knee replacement surgery this week but got postponed as they look into heart issues uncovered with stress test. Going in for catheterization on Wednesday.
- Andy D– my friend Rich had a high PSA test- peace for him and family, and good outcomes on follow up tests.
- Donnie– I give thanks for my church taking care of my family, and for my heart issues – things still up in the air – not sure what’s going on.
- Matt R– for my mental stability during this journey of sobriety, been having bad dreams lately about drinking – God please rid me of these thoughts.
- Rick C– for volunteer Andy who recently had hernia surgery and is in pain from lifting something heavy yesterday.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For good turnout and plenty of support for our 1st ever Prison Ministry Benefit Breakfast on March 1 (details on website, link below).
- Chaplains Jack, Rhonda, Heinrich, and their families.
- All the prison ministry volunteers serving inside and outside the prison
- Increased opportunities for volunteers inside the prison.
- Prison leadership, staff members, and their families.
- Resolution to staff shortages and retention issues.
- All the female inmates and their families.
- All the male inmates and their families.
- Aftercare ministries and support organizations ministering to men and women released from prison.
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.
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