Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
God used His willing servants in Chester County Prison again last night. What an honor to be part of a team that brings the Word of God and the love of Christ into the prison chapel each week. And to be in a small crowd of men who are so thirsty is quite an experience. Many realize the road they’ve been on and the decisions they’ve made only lead to places like prison, and they want to change – they are looking for the right direction. And God has placed a team of volunteers in that place at this time to direct them to Christ and His all-sufficient sacrifice.
Our brother Andy, who claims to be the oldest member of the team, brought the message from his rich tapestry of life experience, with the men hanging on every word. He compared a few trials in his life to that of Job, proving personally that God can and will answer those who cry out to Him in desperation with a humble and contrite heart. I think most all of the men could see themselves in a similar circumstance and were grateful to hear there’s a glorious way out from someone who’s been there.
Earlier in the service, the prayer time kicked off with the first half of Psalm 25. I pray each week for God to lead me to the proper Psalm selection for the next service. Once again I was encouraged at how this passage selected 2 weeks prior addressed so many of the prayer requests offered up in the first service. I love it when He does that!
Psalm 25
A psalm of David.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord;
point out the right road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth.
look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.
The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his decrees.
For the honor of your name, O Lord,
forgive my many, many sins.
Who are those who fear the Lord?
He will show them the path they should choose. (Psalm 25:1-12)
I pray each of you are encouraged as we are each week at how God is moving among His people. And as His people, I also want to thank you for all you do in support of this prison ministry. May God bless you and your families richly this week as we lift up the prayer requests below.
Grace and peace,
Rick
Inmate Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm service):
- Shaun– to receive a care package this week, for my family, and for the families of everyone here.
- Ross– thankful that some of my charges have been dropped here and in Florida, and pray that I can find a place to live in Florida once I leave here. Also lifting up a fellow inmate, Bernard, who has severe back pain.
- Dave– for my children and my significant other, and that my case plays out well next week.
- Brant– for everyone affected by the war happening in Israel and for peace. Also for our country, and the world as these events unfold.
- Angel– for my fiancé to have the strength to get by, for my family and brothers and sisters, especially my brother who needs a kidney. Also pray for all of us in here, our kids, and for an end to the abuse that happens within this system.
- Diego– my kids, my family, my wife, and every individual suffering in prison to have the strength for each day. Also for the immigrants suffering as they come to the US. Also pray for the Israel war and war in Ukraine- may God bring peace.
- Mark– my family and significant other, my Mom and Dad who died years ago, and my brother who died last year. Also pray for our future to work out – help us know what we are supposed to do (guidance and direction). Help us deal with all the curve balls in here.
- Angel– for Bernard and his bad back pain.
- Thomas– for my family, my 2 granddaughters Harper and Ruby, and for everyone in here to find their way.
- Luke– my wife and 3 sons, may God provide financially for them. Pray God would please sustain my job or provide a way to earn income when I get out. Help me discern the purpose for being in here – what am I supposed to learn? Also want to pray for all the others in here.
- John– my family is confused from mixed messages from the court system and from me- pray for clarity.
- Jamie– for my 4 year old child I’ve not seen in over 3 years. Pray to be reunited when I get out.
Inmate Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)
- Lee– for my daughter and wife to be doing well.
- Maurice– for my kids and mother
- Jeremiah– people impacted by war in Israel
- Ken– for my friends in here who got out- I pray they are all doing good on the outside. Also for my family and kids.
- Dan T– for a family member whose son committed suicide and he blames himself – may God free him of this guilt and burden.
- Dan– recent visit from an old buddy I served with in Vietnam has brought back some very powerful and unpleasant memories.
Prayers from Onesimus Ministries
The Board of Directors continues to pray for a great turnout and an inspiring night or worship and updates at the Annual Banquet for Onesimus Ministries on Oct 27.
The volunteer team lifts up our brother Erwin’s wife and pray speedy recovery from minor surgery.
We all continue to pray for our ministry Chairman Vernon dealing with some personal health issues.
For firm commitment by recent prison ministry team volunteers and quick processing of applications that they can join us in the prison very soon.
We ask the Lord’s blessing upon staff members at Chester County Prison working long hours and many shifts due to personnel shortages, and for their families who are also impacted.
Lord, we ask you for lavish blessings of wisdom, strength and compassion upon our wonderful prison chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich as they minister daily in your name to many inmates and staff.
We continue to pray for aftercare ministries taking care of women and men recently released from prison, helping them build their new life on the foundation of Christ. Lord, would you please provide for these ministries in all their areas of need, that they could concentrate fully on clients and not have to worry about resources. We pray for many healed hearts and restored lives.
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 info@onesimusministries.org.
These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/
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