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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We never know who’s watching and who we might touch through our words and actions. Not the same with poison ivy. I’m at the beach with my family this week, and sometime before we left i had pulled some weeds from under our pine trees. I didn’t realize there was poison ivy among them. And I really wish I had, especially since I went to the bathroom shortly after that.
I can definitely tell you where I touched since handling the poison ivy, since it’s now red and itchy on my arms, my ear, and one other place I’ll leave to your imagination. Unlike poison ivy rash, which makes touch points obvious, our words and actions can affect those around us in ways we may never see. I believe that’s a big reason why Paul tells us in God’s Word to live lives worthy of the gospel.
- “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1.27)
- “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4.1-3)
I can assure you that the prayers you pray for each of these men every week definitely touch the men. And I’ve learned that prayer changes the pray-er every bit as much as who they are praying for. I pray that all of you grow daily in your faith due to your commitment to support these inmates with your prayers. Have a great week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):
- Javier- familia, and my court date was postponed, no new date yet.
- Manuel– court date pushed out – TBD – also pray for my family.
- Lamar– for my family, and all detainers to get dropped so I can go home today like I was supposed to. Praise God my charges were dropped. Also pray for my brother (Julius) with pneumonia, he’s home from the hospital but still not breathing well.
- Shaun– for my Aug 11 hearing on false charges of assaulting my girlfriend – she wanted to take one of our 2 dogs (Loki), I’m just letting her just take the dog and go. Hope it all goes well.
- Larry– 2 guys back on the block are looking at lengthy sentences, and one of them also has cancer. Also asking the Lord to help me with my paralyzed left arm.
- Boz– for everyone.
- Andy D– continued prayers for my sister dealing with cancer, that she would accept the Lord.
- Eugene C– continued healing for my sister (Yvette) after triple bypass surgery, and for all of us to have the same enthusiasm as Lamar to be delivered from our circumstances.
- Rick C– for our friend Roland and his family on vacation, safe travels and safe return.
- Jack– [NOTE: my visit request was denied because he was released. Praying that Jack will remember all we spoke about, and follow through on finding a Bible-preaching church near his home in Florida, and engage with brothers and sisters in the faith to keep him encouraged and on track with his faith journey.]
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Timothy– for John in the front row, who went upstate today. Also for Tim, who attended multiple times, but mentioned 2 weeks ago that he was anticipating being transferred upstate at any time, (and who was not there tonight.)
- Kevin – continued humility and for the guards on J block to be less confrontational
- Josh – for understanding
- Dan T – for his “ongoing project” – his brother-in-law and the opportunity to minister to him
- Cody – prayer and guidance
- Jose G. – everyone’s salvation; also offered a prayer of thanks for Anna, the 14 year old girl for whom we prayed who twice slashed her wrists – suffering from profound depression. Anna got the medication she needed, despite money challenges & is doing MUCH better.
- Jim M – thankful for the opportunity he had last week to share the Gospel with his buddy Mike; also continued prayer for wife Kim’s recovery from knee surgery.
- Erwin – express his gratitude for all the prayers for Rena the past few weeks, and for her to continue to recover from her surgery
- Phil T– for Andy L. and his family on vacation in Virginia; for my daughter, Morgan, doing better with her depression, but still craving a child of her own. Also for my son’s sister-in-law Joy and her twin girls – now up to 19 weeks – despite the doctor telling his nurse not to even schedule her 16th week appointment b/c it was hopeless. That God may honor Joy and her husband, Andrew’s faith in resisting a selective abortion, and that He might be glorified with a miracle to His glory. For volunteer Matt R. to have a safe and enjoyable trip to Colorado. And for Erwin’s message to be a blessing, and thanks for Erwin’s allegiance to the Word.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Kyle—for healing of kidney stones, full recovery
- Anthony—his grandmother just had appendix surgery and praying for full recovery
- Matt—pray for his inlaws Gerald and Cheryl facing various health issues
- Carlos—pray for his brother Pierre working on Carlos’ behalf, for wisdom, clarity, and that he and Carlos can communicate. Hoping he’s okay and that they both can have a fresh start (in New York?) when Carlos gets out.
- Frankie—pray for his mother and uncle that are both facing cancer treatments
- Louis—prayer for everyone here, workers and inmates. Pray for his daughter and that he fixes his situation so that he can see her.
- Andy—pray for his sister that is facing stage 4 cancer that she overcome her trust issues and receive the bible and start reading it and that the Lord draw her to repent and believe and be saved.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Our Chaplains (Rhonda, Heinrich, and Jack) and all the volunteers ministering within the prison.
- God’s provision for expanded opportunities within the prison, and God’s wisdom for how best to capitalize on them and get more volunteers plugged in.
- Continued prayer for the family of Heinrich’s sister in South Africa after her sudden passing.
- All the inmates and staff at the prison, and the families that support them.
- For the Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations in Chester County ministering to recently released men and women.
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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