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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Humans are creatures of habit. We are most comfortable in familiar surroundings with people we know and care about. Recent renovations that closed the prison chapel were needed, but took us away from familiar surroundings for our weekly Monday night church services. Volunteers were grateful to still meet with inmates using a few classrooms, but we were all looking forward to getting back into the chapel. I heard the same from several inmates.
God is not limited in any way, and church services can be held anywhere, but there's just something special about being in a dedicated space. Jesus described to His disciples a special place where all followers will eventually experience ultimate comfort:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ” (John 14:1-3)
Imagine that – being in the best place possible with the One who loves you the most. That's not just comfortable, I'd call that paradise. While we're waiting to join each other in our Father's house, He's given us instructions – check out 1 Thessalonians 5. All of you remind me of 3 of those things:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thes 5:16-18)
We give thanks for your partnership in this ministry, rejoicing with you that inmates are experiencing the love of Christ and hearing the Good News each week, and we are all covering them in prayer. May God bless all of His faithful followers in a special way this week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (6:00pm Monday service):
- Troy– Thanks for my wife and kids; for forgiveness; peace on K block; for court dates;
- Cory– to get out soon; for God to put me on a good path when he gets out;
- Ariel – for family; for the truth to come out; for freedom; for relationships; for court dates; for the people of Brazil; (had other requests, but could not get them all down;
- Daryl – for his family; for other’s families;
- Erwin J– for wife Rena's health; (I also asked for prayers for his 92 year-old sister, Elwyn, who is suffering with cancer.)
- Anthony – for his brother, Dominique, who has autism; to get out soon;
- Scott – for Jack Crans;
- Jose G– for salvation of everyone here;
- Phil T – thanks for twin baby Josey’s successful feeding tube surgery; for Rick & his family on vacation; for his daughter, Ali, & her husband to be blessed with a child; for all couple’s struggling w/ fertility including Andre & Nicole, and Thomas & Josey; for reconciliation of families; for us to always walk our talk; for courage regarding a situation & in sharing the Good News; for Jim’s message
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (7:30pm Monday service):
- For continued healing of our brother volunteer Bill Harkins.
- Shane– think more about others, less about myself.
- Merlin– Praise God for taking care of my family.
- Al– daughter starting at Temple, hearing for guardianship of my mother.
- Joseph– for family, for friends and enemies to take up the cross and follow the Lord.
- Terrence– pray for release and once out, to find a way to make a living without breaking the law.
- Charles– for the sick, the suffering, the addicted, the healing hand of God in their life.
- Brett– health of family, to be aware of new perspective on life.
- Dave– family issues, healing for mother who fractured her back.
- Jason– for my wife and kids.
- Todd– for my time to go quickly and smoothly without problems.
- Angel– for healing of my brother, father, and for everyone's freedom.
- Harry– healing from addiction, and keep my faith in the Lord.
- Jacob– my daughters, grandmother, and my last few weeks to go smoothly.
- Harry K– for family and repaired relationships.
- Artimeo– Jesus, family, for life inside the prison and outside.
- Mike– for peace, freedom from drugs.
- Andy D– healing for my wife Barb's knees.
- Troy– success for my son Zack's new business application.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For the many Volunteers ministering within Chester County Prison.
- For the Warden and all leaders within CCP, may we continue to find favor.
- For Chaplain Rhonda, and her ministry to female inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Heinrich, and his ministry to male inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Jack Crans, as he leads chaplaincy at Chester County Prison among both inmates and prison leadership, and for his personal strength and healing from cancer.
- For the Families supporting each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- For Onesimus Ministries Board of Directors, wisdom and insight for the future of the ministry.
- For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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