Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last night, the weather outside was frightful, but the Spirit inside delightful.  Once again, prison ministry volunteers demonstrated how much they care about inmates by braving dangerous conditions to share the love of Christ with them through worship and testimony.  I’ve heard it said there’s no place safer than in God’s will, and I believe that.  He kept us all safe and got everyone home without incident after serving the men at Chester County Prison.

The evening began on a somber note as we paid tribute to a fore-runner of today’s prison ministry.  Doug Burnett passed away Monday morning.  Doug was a tough guy who did many bad things that ultimately landed him in prison.  He found Christ in Chester County Prison and it forever changed his life.  So much that he cornered his Pastor asking to find a way to go back in and share with the inmates what he found there.  God made a way, and Doug returned to prison (as a volunteer) to share Christ with the men. Doug’s following of God’s calling paved the way for what our volunteers do every Monday night. Many continue to be blessed thanks to Doug’s obedience.  You can read the full story at https://onesimusministries.org/about-us/history/

We also paid tribute to another obedient servant of God – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr – a true peacemaker who accomplished great things in the civil rights movement through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Dan recalled how he grew up in the south and personally witnessed the incredibly harsh treatment of black people, and what a huge difference Dr. King made in our nation’s history.

We then turned our thoughts to God’s great provision of safety and salvation as seen in Psalm 61.

O God, listen to my cry!

    Hear my prayer!

From the ends of the earth,

    I cry to you for help

    for my heart is overwhelmed.

Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

    for you are my safe refuge,

    a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.

Let me live forever in your sanctuary,

    safe beneath the shelter of your wings!

For you have heard my vows, O God.

    You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name. (Psalm 61:1-5)

In place of the typical message preached to the men, the volunteers all took turns sharing their personal testimony and how God has moved in their lives.  It was an impactful night of sharing, with the men completely engaged in the many different ways God’s Spirit got ahold of each heart that now serves them on Monday nights.

And we thank our great God for how He’s captured each of your hearts, and called upon you to pray faithfully for the men (and women) in prison, their families, and their heart cries listed below.  I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating – never underestimate the impact and power of your prayers – it is the lifeblood of ministry!  Thank you for your faithfulness and may God bless you richly each and every day!

Grace and peace,

Rick

Inmate Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm service):

• Dave– for my children, for my girl who really supports me, and for my case on Fri- praying to be released since I’ve been here a year.
• Angel– for world peace, all of us in here, my little brother Mike, my brother Louie, and my fiancé Danelle in recovery for addiction – I pray for her and others to be released from addiction. I pray for freedom from here, and for all the sick and suffering.
• Tyrese– for my 5 sisters and my girlfriend.
• Steven– all honor, praise, and glory be to God, and thankful for volunteers each week. I’ll be 69 soon and I want what you guys got.  Pray for my family, especially my oldest son Tyrone (49) to grow spiritually, and for Cody back on the block who takes such good care of us.
• John– for peace in the world, especially Ukraine, Israel, and across Africa, for those impacted by disasters, for my family, my 9 kids, and my 3 grandkids.  I pray for early parole so I can get eye surgery.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• John– for all the incarcerated, our families, and our broken spirits to be lifted.
• Craig– thanks for the volunteers, even when there’s bad weather and an Eagles game they still show up.  Thanks for Monday night services, and prayers for my wife Kay in Georgia – it’s her 52nd birthday today.  Pray for my children, my family at large, and for the whole world.
• Oscar– for my court date next week, and for my family.
• Martin-a good outcome for all our court dates, for family, and thanks God for keeping them safe on their drive to Florida yesterday.  And pray for my successful recovery from addiction.
• Harry– thanks for the volunteers, and prayers for my wife’s daughter (Iana) in the hospital and supposed to come home Thursday.  Pray for my relationship with my wife and she is struggling financially.
• Jacob– for my daughter who’s been very sick for a couple weeks now, and her mom going through a lot without me – I feel so helpless.  Praying for strength for the family, and health for grandparents.  And the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr – that his lessons be learned and not forgotten.
• Tommy– my wife and 2 daughters.
• Andy D–  my brother-in-law Ira had a knee replacement scheduled for next week, and during pre-surgical check they discovered he’d had a heart attack.
• Harry–  just got working papers, pray for my recovering from a broken leg, and that I can make some money for my wife.
• Logan– God’s mercy on us and our loved ones.
• Alan– more faith in God, and my mom is very sick and close to death- pray for her health and my relationship with her (which hasn’t been good).
• Please pray for John, a Muslim gentleman who gave testimony in the second service that he didn’t choose to come out but he was called to be there with us, and said he was there to be cleansed.  He claimed (incorrectly) that Allah is just another name for God – Pray the Holy Spirit would give him wisdom and understanding of what God is doing in his life.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• Please remember the Burnett family as we celebrate the homegoing of Doug and they mourn the loss of his presence.

• We continue to lift up in prayer our brother Phil Taylor still suffering great back pain and inability to walk.  Pray for wisdom of the doctors, effectiveness of the treatment(s), and overall healing for our fellow servant who would like nothing better than to get back in with us on Monday nights.

• Thanks Lord for providing more laborers in the field.  We asked and you answered.  You are so good to us!

• Thanks also for our two wonderful servant chaplains – Rhonda and Heinrich – and how they are your hands and feet ministering to inmates, staff, families, and more.  Please continue to bless them to be a blessing to others.

• Continued prayer for Pastor Jack Crans dealing with late stage cancer, yet continuing to serve in multiple  capacities as if nothing was wrong. We pray for strength and healing.

• We continue to lift up all the aftercare ministries helping former inmates continue to build upon the foundation of Christ as they return to society.  May God continue to provide for all the needs within these ministries, and a special blessing upon the men and women being served there, that they would become all that God calls them to be.

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/

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

A new year is often seen as a chance to start fresh or incorporate some new habits.  Prisoners see little change in their daily routine just because the calendar turned over. It’s into this gloom and monotony that we speak Hope – and a reminder that as Christians, Hope is something we have, not something we do.  Prayer time during last night’s services began with a reminder of God’s promise of protection, love, and faithfulness.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!

    I look to you for protection.

I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings

    until this violent storm is past.

I cry out to God Most High,

    to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.

He will send help from heaven to rescue me,

    rescuing me from those who are out to get me.

My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

(Psalm 57:1-3)

Andy’s message drew from John 5:1-15 where Jesus healed a man who was lame for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda. A curious passage illustrating many in despair seeking healing, yet the man Jesus restored did not recognize Him, worship Him, nor even thank Him. In stark contrast to Jesus’ other healings, this man walked away only to be challenged by Jewish leaders for carrying his mat on the Sabbath.  Jesus wants us to quit focusing on our own little world and problems to see a bigger picture of who He is and what He’s doing.

And the ultimate question for all of us on this planet who need spiritual, emotional, relational, and/or physical healing (which is all of us) is what do we do about Jesus?  Accept Him as Lord and Savior? Pursue a relationship with Him that He desires of us? Or dismiss Him as this healed man did and return to our own narrow understanding of religion?  We challenge the men each week to look beyond their present circumstances, gain a more eternal perspective, and for some to make a decision of ultimate consequence. 

As we begin 2024, let us pray for many more souls to join the family of God this year, both inside the prisons and beyond.  Thank you for your offerings of prayer each week for these men and their families, the prayer requests below, and for our Chaplains and prison ministry team going into the prison.  God bless you!

Grace and peace,

Rick

Inmate Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm service):

• Dave– for everyone in here dealing with hard times, for my children and my significant other who is such a great source of support.  I pray to be released soon.
• Steven– all glory , honor, and praise be to God, and thanks for volunteers coming in each week.  Pray for my family and for answered prayer.
• Angel– for my family, and my fiancé who is in recovery now for her addiction, for world peace especially in Israel and for the Japan earthquake.  I pray for the new DA and that good things would happen now, like with my court date coming up at the end of the month, that I would get released on time served.  And for all of our families and friends.
• John– for peace in the world and for all of our families. For our faith in God to be strong, and I’m still waiting on a decision around release – I pray it would happen soon so I can get surgery on my eye.
• Dave– thanks for answered prayer – I kept asking God for a sign and I got a new lawyer assigned and might be out as early as next week.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– thankful for the volunteers, for my wife Kay in Georgia with my kids (Brianna and Brielle), for my family at large, and for the whole world.
• Harry– for al of us in here and our families, for all upcoming court dates, and for my wife’s daughter in the hospital – they are not sure what’s going on with her.
• Donovan– for God to strengthen my relationships with my family, and for God to pour out His anointing on my wife that she could know Him in a personal way.
• Jeremiah– for family, and my four kids having a hard time right now asking lots of questions about where is Dad and why he’s not at home.  Wisdom for how to answer these questions.
• Devan– also dealing with family questions about when I’m coming home, and for God to make a way for that to be soon.
• Andy L– that my wife and I can be encouraging light in our community, particularly with a young lady abandoned by her husband – grant her wisdom to make good decisions.
• Holland– for my Mom who is sick, and for her to find God.  For us to see more of God and what he’s doing.
• Logan– for my wife and my kids, hear our prayers, and thanks for answers in accordance with Your will.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• We lift our brother Phil Taylor before the throne of grace to ask the Great Physician and Author of Life to heal his back, relieve his suffering, and restore his ability to walk.

• Our thankfulness to the Lord overflows for His providing five volunteers to augment the prison team on Monday nights.  God is good, all the time.  And all the time, God is good.

• Ongoing prayers of gratitude for our two wonderful chaplains – Rhonda and Heinrich.  It’s encouraging to see how God uses these two willing servants each and every week to reach inmates, staff members, and families with the love of Jesus Christ.  May our God continue to bless them with all they need and more.

• We continue to petition our Heavenly Father for healing and restoration of Pastor Jack Crans, as he continues to labor for the Lord in many capacities despite a dire cancer prognosis.

• Please keep in prayer the aftercare ministries helping recently released inmates to return to society while solidly standing on the firm foundation of Christ.  Pray for God’s provision to meet and exceed all their material and resource needs that they might serve Him efficiently and effectively in this mission field.  And lift up their clients to become the men and women of God that he calls them to be.

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/

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all!  There was an air of hope with the inmates last night as we wished each one a Happy New Year as they entered the chapel.  Perhaps they felt a little more valued – like someone cared about them since volunteers showed up on 2 holidays in a row – Christmas and New Years Day.  Or more likely it was the love of Christ we share with them each week through encouragement, worship, and hearing the Word of God together.

The theme of hope in the new year was evident through the prayers, the singing, the testimonies, and the message.  Dan reminded us through retelling of multiple prophecies that not only is God’s Word true (including promises past and future), those who know the Lord should live in expectation of His return.  The only details not revealed to us are the hour and the day – everything else about what’s coming and how it will happen are spelled out in scripture.  We know Jesus’ return is imminent, judgement is coming, and our perfectly just God will ultimately make all things right.  And we are all without excuse if we have not accepted Christ’s free gift of salvation, paid for by our Savior’s suffering, death on a cross, and how he bore God’s wrath in our place. We must be in right standing with God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and invite all those around us to do the same.

I pray each of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s celebration.  May we all resolve in 2024 to be more disciplined in reading His Word every day, sharing His love with all those around us, and praying for all those God puts on our heart.  Thank you all for your weekly commitment to praying for inmates and their families.  I pray a new year of God’s rich blessings upon each of you and your families.

Grace and peace,

Rick

Inmate Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm service):

• Steven– all glory , honor, and praise be to God, and I thank him for the volunteers He sends us each week.  I want to lift up my family that supports me, all the people in my home, and I thank God that he has taken away my anger.
• John– for my fellow inmates and Christian brothers, my kids, my grandkids, and for peace in the world as we have wars and rumors of wars.  I ask God to help me with my resolution to be free and stay free.
• Mike– pray for an elderly man back on the block who couldn’t make it out to the service tonight, and he has court tomorrow.
• Dave– for everyone in here, our children, and my significant other who is my rock.  I pray for forgiveness, and that the judge will do something with my case on Wednesday – I’ve been here for a year without determination of my case.
• Eric– I pray to get out of here, civility for myself, and to live a long life.
• Angel– for peace in the world, for the children of the world, for those struggling in addiction, for my fiance, and my brother (needs kidney), and my father (psychological issues).  I’m thankful for the volunteers, and lift up Israel and all the victims especially children, and pray for the men who didn’t come out to the services tonight.
• Chris– for a man back on the block (Marty) who feels bad, for my girl (Maryann) having a rough time on the streets, and for the addicted.
• Andy L– for the peace of God to fall on the community where I live in this new year – there is much distress and many issues in our neighborhood.
• John– to be released this month, that the judge would accept early parole so I can get eye surgery.
• Angel– for the poor, those without hope, boldness for us to share Jesus.
• Derrick– for God’s help with decision making.  My bad choices led here, I need His help to make better choices since they affect not just me but my family and others.  I want to be a good Dad.
• Jim– for wisdom, for my upcoming court date, and to make better decisions next time I’m faced with similar circumstances.  Thankful for another day.
• Mike– for officers to listen to me, I was in pain and got transferred to another prison where I had emergency surgery for double hernia.  My body still not right, need medical attention and they won’t take me seriously.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– thankful for the hearts of the volunteers coming in to share Jesus with us, for my wife Kay in Georgia with the kids, for my family at large, for strength in the Lord, and for the whole world.
• Martin– for my grandmother, my family, my kids, and a successful recovery from addiction.
• Donovan– that God would strengthen my relationship with my wife and my family, for God to be with me and show me how to make the best of my life, and that I could let His light shine through me.
• Clarence– I pray for the safety and wellbeing of the volunteers and their families, and for all our families, for the guys back on the cell block, and for my case that was pushed to the 4th (I’ve been in the dark for 10 months).
• Logan– thank you God for taking care of my family – my wife and my kids – and I pray for a good outcome of my case.
• Dan T– for a man I know who blames himself for 18 year old son’s suicide since he was rough on him – I pray he accepts Jesus as Lord and savior and can find peace.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• We are so thankful to the Lord of the harvest sending more workers into the field – we had one new volunteer join us for the last 2 weeks, and now 4 additional new volunteers joined us last night.  Thank the Lord who always meets our every need in His perfect timing.

• Continued prayers of thanks for our two wonderful chaplains – Rhonda and Heinrich – and their faithfulness in spreading hope and the love of Christ throughout the prison to staff, inmates, and their families.  May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire, embolden, and strengthen them every day.

• Prayers of healing and restoration for Pastor Jack Crans who continues to labor for the Lord in many capacities while he contends with late stage cancer.

• Thankful for God’s provision and hand of blessing upon the aftercare ministries in Chester county.  We pray they could reach many women and men in need of consistent accountability and encouragement in the Lord.  May their clients build strongly upon the foundation of Christ to live lives of meaning since their release 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.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

If you were fortunate enough to attend the annual Onesimus banquet back in October, you would have heard the testimony of former inmate Pete Zandona on how meaningful it was to him personally when volunteers came into the prison on Christmas day.  He was both honored and impressed by these men who could have been spending that time with their families, yet chose to come into the prison to be with them.  Those men showed the love of Christ by their actions, just like Jesus wants us all to do.  It’s easy to be nice or thoughtful when it’s convenient for us, but it really means something when it takes us out of our routine and we must be intentional.

Well, that same opportunity presented itself in Chester County Prison last night.  Since Christmas was on a Monday this year, the team decided weeks ago that if was OK with the prison, they were coming in just like any other Monday night.  Most of the team was there to worship with and minister to the men who came out for the 7:00pm and 8:30pm services.  We are so thankful for these volunteers and the Christlike example they set.

I pray that when such opportunities come before each of us (and they will), that we would follow our Savior’s selfless example and choose to love by doing what’s best for others instead of what’s most convenient for us.  God loved us so much He sent His only Son to be a sacrifice for our sins, and while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  I don’t know if we can possibly match that level of selflessness, but we are to try.

I want to thank Phil for covering prayer time and collecting the prayer requests last night.  I also thank each of you for the love you already show for others through your support of this prison ministry – loving people you don’t know and likely will never meet – just as Jesus wants us to. Your prayers and other means of support are a blessing to many.  May our Heavenly Father pour out blessings upon you and your families this Christmas season, and the whole year through!

Grace and peace,

Rick

Inmate Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm service):

• Dave: for his significant others, his kids, and for good news on his case on January 3rd.
• Brant: for a single mother and her 7 kids that he knows whose roof leaked recently causing damage to furniture and ruining presents for her children, and for all to have a better year in 2024.
• Angel: for people of the world, for addicts, for his fiancé to get help, for his family, and his brother with kidney disease, and for his dad with the psychological issues he’s dealing with, and for peace, and for those who have his freedom in their hands, and for him to get the help he needs.
• Derrick: for his significant other dealing with tough times, his 9 year old son who is sick, and for his family.
• Nasiem: asked prayer for himself in especially for his faith and for his sin.
• John: for those who don’t know Jesus, to walk closer with him, and for his family and loved ones, and for the homeless.
• Chris: for his girl, Maryanne, in dealing with her addiction, and for him to have patience with her when he sees her destroying herself.
• Steven: for the volunteers, thanks for the Recovery Bible which has been a blessing to him, and for the commissary bag from Trinity Church.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– his wife, Kay, his children and family, and for strength in enduring.
• Martin– for his family, his recovery, for the outcome of his case, and for the volunteers.
• Logan– echoed Martin’s prayers, especially for the volunteers.
• Danny– for his son to stay on the right path, and for his sister who soon will be having her first child.
• John– for his family, and especially for his son.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• Let us all lift up families who are missing people this holiday season, whether in prison or having passed away over the previous year.  God’s blessing on those who are missing them dearly.

• Prayers of thankfulness for our wonderful chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich, their families, and God’s faithfulness to meet their needs both personally and through their ministry to the inmates, staff, and families associated with Chester County Prison.

• Continued prayers of healing and strength for Pastor Jack Crans as he contends with late stage cancer, yet faithfully serves in many capacities through County Corrections Gospel Mission.

• For God’s continued provision and blessing upon aftercare ministries across Chester county- may they have an abundance of what they need to effectively minister to recently released men and women in our community.  And may all their clients rebuild their lives on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, that they could re-enter society as responsible citizens and be seen as children of the Most high God.

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/

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It never fails to amaze me, especially as we approach holidays, how so many men in prison pray first for their families, then the other inmates, and lastly for themselves.  It goes against human nature – when we hit tough times we usually default to being consumed with our own situation.  But God’s people are different – even in prison – we do our best to follow the lessons He teaches us in His Word.  Lessons such as love one another, which means putting others first, especially in prayer.

Last night the message I delivered in both services was all about God’s promises through his prophet Isaiah and how so many of those prophecies have already come true.  We looked specifically at Isaiah 9 prophecies of a coming Messiah, and Isaiah 53 of why that Messiah came and what He would do for His people.  For each prophecy we also looked at its fulfillment in New Testament passages. 

The key takeaway was that if we see how so many prophecies came true, why would we doubt the truth of any other prophesies or promises in the Bible?  And if God’s promise of salvation to those who accept his Son as Lord and Savior is true, what holds anyone back from claiming that promise?  I finished by inviting and leading in prayer all those present who wanted to accept God’s promise of forgiveness and salvation.  I believe a few men accepted the invitation and got saved last night (I don’t ask) – Praise God!  I also charged everyone with Jesus’ command in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone”.

As we celebrate our Savior’s first coming and look forward to His return, let me say how much we appreciate all of you and your support of this ministry.  Then men in Chester County Prison consider your prayers a lifeline and are truly grateful that people they don’t even know care enough to lift them up and pray for the things they care about. Thank you for your partnership in prayer, and may God bless you and yours richly this advent season and beyond.

Grace and peace,

Rick

Female Inmate Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda:

A.C. – prayed to ask Jesus to be her Savior while in here. Left last week heading upstate. Please pray that she continues to walk with the Lord and grow in Him

Inmate Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm service):

• Dave– for everyone here, my friends, my cell mate, my family, my new significant other, and for the final determination of my case on Jan 3.
• Angel– my fiancé still struggles with drugs/addiction, my brother needs a kidney, my father is 83 and having memory issues, for my sister, my friend back from Hawaii, thankful for the volunteers.  That all of us would have happy holidays, for peace in the world.  For all those struggling with addictions-the situation is really bad out there – people are dying. Also for my probation/retainer situation to get resolved so I can get out and spread God’s word.
• John– for all those out in the cold, homeless, and hungry- to have a blessed Christmas finding shelter and food and the strength of the Lord. For my family, especially my kids and grandkids, and that everyone would worship the Lord in the true meaning of Christmas.  Also that I would get out of here soon to have eye surgery.
• Ross– thanks for everyone in here, and for all the folks struggling during the holidays.  And for my friends in Florida and in Arizona.
• Mark– for those who hurt us- I’m battling with understanding forgiveness right now, help me understand it and forgive the guy who kicked me so hard.  For healing of relationships and help truly understanding gratitude and friendship.  Help me know who I can depend on, I have no family to help me.  Pray for situation with my eyes – can hardly see due to missing one contact lens and the other ripped, and no replacements or glasses- having a rough time with that.
• Kevin– for people struggling with schizophrenia and those caught in darkness.  And for persecuted Christians.
• Steven– all praise, honor and glory to God, thankful for all the volunteers. For all the families of the men in here, and for everyone who supports me.
• Brandt– for all of our families through this holiday season, my Mom lost her house, and we lost our brother last year.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– thanks for the volunteers sharing God’s word with us every week.  For my wife Kay in Georgia with our 2 kids Brianna and Brielle. For all of our families, and for those suffering and those addicted.
• Martin– thankful for volunteers, for my family, my grandmother, and safe travels for my Mom coming into Philly today.  For my full restoration from addiction.  Me and my girlfriend are struggling – please heal that relationship.
• Harry– for all of our families to have a Merry Christmas and joyous season.
• Devon– for my kids, mom, and family.  And for everyone travelling now.
• Rick C– for our brother Phil having back issues.
• Andy L– for the single Mom that lives near me and is completely overwhelmed – pray for her and her decisions about the Dad who shows up but wants nothing to do with the kids.
• Andy D– for my family and our first Christmas without my Mom.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• Pray for all the families who have lost loved ones this past year and are approaching this holiday season missing them dearly.

• Ongoing prayers of strength, endurance, and compassion for our wonderful chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich.  May God continue to use them as a light in the darkness of Chester County Prison for all the inmates and staff and their families.

• Please continue to pray for Pastor Jack Crans contending with late stage cancer, yet he continues to faithfully serve in many capacities through County Corrections Gospel Mission.

• For God’s continued provision and blessing upon aftercare ministries across Chester county- may they have an abundance of what they need to effectively minister to recently released men and women in our community.  And may all their clients rebuild their lives on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, that they could re-enter society as responsible citizens and be seen as children of the Most high God.

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/

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we enter this holiday season, there is a heaviness evident among inmates thinking about friends and family getting together to celebrate and they can’t be part of it.  They obviously don’t want to spend Christmas and New Years in prison, and we notice a little more appreciation for volunteers coming in to worship alongside them.  We remind them each week that we are honored and privileged to come in each week to show them the love of Jesus by worshipping with them, spending time with them, and listening to them.  Being part of this team is humbling and encouraging as we see what God is doing through a few willing servants.

Last night’s prayer time used the last half of Psalm 40 to echo the heart cries of the men who came out to the services:

Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.

    My only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness.

For troubles surround me—

    too many to count!

They pile up so high

    I can’t see my way out.

They outnumber the hairs on my head.

    I have lost all courage.

Please, Lord, rescue me!

    Come quickly, Lord, and help me.

May those who try to destroy me

    be humiliated and put to shame.

May those who take delight in my trouble

    be turned back in disgrace.

Let them be horrified by their shame,

    for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

But may all who search for you

    be filled with joy and gladness.

May those who love your salvation

    repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”

As for me, I am poor and needy,

    but the Lord is thinking about me right now.

You are my helper and my savior.

    O my God, do not delay. (Psalm 40:11-17)

Phil gave a poignant message on what it means to be “reborn”, citing examples from his person life as well as John 3 where Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and was taught about spiritual birth for salvation.  Phil exhorted the men that as fathers, our primary responsibility is to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  And we must know Jesus ourselves before we can bring them or any others to Him. Ultimately, we will all stand before God and will be asked “what did we do with Jesus and the offer to be born again?”.  Sobering thoughts encouraging us to all be ready for the King’s return at any moment. 

We must stay in God’s word every day so we don’t stray away. Phil reminds us the number one reason he hears from guys who return to prison is they got out of the Word.  God’s word is powerful and transformative, and we are so blessed to have it readily available in many languages and translations.  We have no excuse for not reading God’s Word every day.

Daily prayer is another staple of the Christian life, and we greatly appreciate all your prayers week after week for all aspects of this ministry.  Please don’t forget those in prison during the holidays, and thank you for all your support. Many blessings on you and yours this week.

Grace and peace,

Rick

Inmate Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm service):

• Steven– all praise, honor and glory to God, thankful for the volunteers each week.  My bail hearing today didn’t go well and I got very upset. I decided to pick up my Bible and read, and I came across the passage about giving thanks in all things and not just some things. God’s word inspired me and I was no longer upset.  Also very thankful for my brother Kevin and how he supports me.
• John– for all the brothers that got out of here, and for the rest of us when we do get out that we will continue to follow the Lord.  Also pray for everyone to understand the true meaning of Christmas.  Pray for my kids, my Mom, and my grandkids.  Pray I will be going home soon and have my eye surgery.  Also want to pray that all of us put on the full armor of God.
• Ken– thanks for our families and the holidays coming up.  Thanks to all the volunteers, and for my daughter that I can’t get ahold of – pray for resolution to the communication problems.
• Andy L– for my wife Dot (Dorothy) whose heart was skipping beats and making her very tired.  Pray for her to get the proper treatment and for God’s healing.
• Joel– for everyone in here, and the sick in hospitals.  Thanks for volunteers blessing us, and thanks to God I already have a job when I get out.  I spoke to family and my brother is going to help me out.  Pray for my mother’s health, and my girlfriend is homeless.  Thankful that God knows what’s going on and He has it all under control.  Pray all the pieces would come together for my case.
• Ross– for everyone in here and on the outside going through tough times. Very thankful for everyone praying for me.  Thankful for Chris, Ray, and Mark (various roles in justice system) all trying to do their best by me. I pray to get back to my home state of Florida, and for anyone who is ill to get better.  Also want to lift up all those in depression over the holidays.
• Havier– thanks for the volunteers.  I believe in the Lord that all will work out, help me trust.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Craig– for my family, and I pray for the Lord to strengthen me.  Also pray for the world at large.
• Martin– for my family, and my full restoration from addiction.  For my 97-year-old grandmother, and my Mom.  For a good outcome to my case.  Help me understand your Word better, and please heal the relationships I’ve broken by coming to jail.
• Nick– for the Lord’s protection and direction.  For patience for both me and my family members – they are going through some things.  For knowledge to get through.
• Harry– for patience and faith for everyone in here.
• Clarence– thanks for the volunteers, pray for your safe travels.  For my family, father, mother-in-law, etc.  Also court coming up, pray it works out well.  And for all the brothers back on the block who couldn’t make it out tonight.
• Andy L– for the power of the Holy Spirit of God to descend upon the families in my neighborhood like a cloud and with fire and wind – God is moving and please continue to move in all the deep problems in my neighborhood.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• Let us all pray for Ameen, a young Muslim who attended church last night.  He gave a testimony that he came to honor the men who pray for him and they all go to church.  He appreciated the opportunity to get up and share that he’s going through some tough times. We pray God’s spirit would get ahold of Ameen’s heart and that he heard from the Lord through His word last night.

• We lift up our brother Phil who suffers from severe back pain, but even two emergency room visits couldn’t keep this faithful servant from preaching the message in both services last night.  Prayers of healing and recovery, as well as wisdom for doctors to treat him effectively.

• For our two wonderful chaplains- Rhonda and Heinrich- to enjoy blessings of continued strength, endurance, compassion, and wisdom for their ministry within Chester County Prison.  May they both continue to bless many residents, staff, and family members connected to the prison.

• We lift up our brother Jack Crans as he contends with late stage cancer yet continues to faithfully serve in many capacities through County Corrections Gospel Mission.

• God’s provision and blessing upon the aftercare ministries across our county- may they continue to effectively minister to the recently released men and women in our community.  May these clients build lives of faith and may each one re-enter society as a responsible citizen and be seen as a child of God.

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/

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Have you ever heard someone ask “if you’ve already read the Bible, why do you keep reading it over and over?”  I know for me personally, I often catch things on subsequent readings of a passage that I didn’t catch the first time.  For example, I shared with the men last night that many of us are familiar with Jesus’ words about when 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, there He is among us – that comes from Matthew 18:20.  Well, just the other day I was in Matthew 18 as part of a devotional reading, and the verse right before that one stuck out as if I’d never seen it before:

“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)

I get it – verse 19 is the biblical foundation for why we do prayer time in prison services each week!  The men speak their prayer requests, then the prayer leader goes up front and prays through the list again, praying in agreement on each request.  I also reminded the men that God always answers prayers, although it’s often not WHEN we expect it, or the answer we WANT to hear.  God’s timing is perfect, and sometimes the answer is NO, and sometimes the answer is WAIT.

Later in the service, Erwin’s message informed the men about being a child of God.  We are all created by Him, but we’re not automatically His children, that only comes with belief.  As John wrote in the first chapter of his gospel, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11-12).  He went on to describe four elements of belief (knowledge, conviction, trust, and obedience) and the three marks of a child of God – belief in Jesus, love of doing what’s right, and being led by the Spirit of God.

Erwin wrapped up by illustrating the many rewards for the children of God (promises of the Bible) versus the consequences of not being a child of God (final judgement, destined for lake of fire).  He made it abundantly clear that the choice is ours to make – God gave us free will to make the choice  – and there are only two options: We are either for God, or against God – there is no middle ground.  Of course he urged everyone to make the right choice while there is still time.

I want to thank all of you again for making the choice to support this ministry with your faithful prayers each week, lifting up our chaplains, the inmates and their requests below, and all the families connected with Chester County prison.  You are storing up treasures in heaven, and we are most grateful for your support.  Blessings on you and your family this week.

Grace and peace,

Rick

Female Inmate Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda:

B. P. – Asking for prayer for strength, wisdom, guidance, and protection. She’s praying that she “can stay focused & on the right path that God wants (her) on. Pls pray with her.

C. L. – Asking for prayer (unspecified)

Inmate Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm service):

• Dave– for my kids, my family, and loved ones.  Hoping next week they will figure out what they are doing with me.
• Ross– my case comes to court on Wed, praying for complete transfer of my case to my home state of Florida.  Also praying that my friends can find me a place to live in FL. I pray that everyone getting out would have a place to live.
• Steven– all praise, honor and glory to God, thanking him for the volunteers each week, and that I just feel great tonight. God really got my attention by putting me in here, but It’s a joy to be learning about Jesus and the Bible. Such a better us of my time now.  I pray for my family and thankful they are taking care of my affairs like mortgage payments while I’m here.
• John– thankful to God for his forgiveness and mercy.  Also for His love and kindness.
• Scott– thankful for God’s forgiveness and that no one was killed by my DUI.  This is a real wake up call for me.  And thanks God for my wife and for bringing her back to me.
• Angel– for everyone in here and our families. For my fiancé who just got out of drug rehab but is using again and she got thrown out of halfway house.  I pray she’s safe and that I knew more of what’s going with her.  Pray for those in control of my freedom, that they would be inspired by God through His Holy Spirit.  Pray I can get into the drug/alcohol program I want to get into.  Also please help me with all my anger about my situation.  Also want to pray for Bernard who is still in a lot of back pain.
• Andrew– I go to rehab on Friday.  Thankful that tomorrow I get reclassified to minimum security and get transferred to the workers block.  Also pray for my cat.
• Tommy– for Israel and other war-torn nations around the world.  And for my family. Also pray for our brother  Bernard back on the block- he just got bad news from his family.
• Eric– for everyone in here to get back to their families as soon as possible.
• Ken– pray for our families during this Christmas season, and for my daughter who I’ve not heard from for weeks.  Pray she’s OK and that I would hear from her soon.
• Joel– for family, thanks for the volunteers, and I’m feeling distant from the Lord because things are not working out for me.  Pray for my Mom’s health.
• Warren– that all goes well in court tomorrow.

Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)

• Martin– that I would be restored, and for my 97-year-old grandma, and for my family. For rehabilitation and recovery, and a good outcome of my case. And for Clarence who could make it out tonight.
• Phil T– reinjured my back and in a lot of pain.
• Andy D– thankful for volunteers in progress- we have 6 guys lined up for the 2nd service.  Also very grateful for the 1st service guys staying for 2nd service since we’re back in the prison post-covid.
• Dan T– For a man struggling with his 18-year-old son’s suicide – he blames himself.  Pray that he can receive forgiveness from the Lord.
• Martin– my Aunt Stacey’s 57th birthday today.
• Dean– all of our families, and for the tension in our world today.
• Andy L– a man who was my friend for 65 years recently passed away – pray for his wife, she used to have such life in her eyes and now they’ve grown dull as she is in deep grief.
• Phil T– all those suffering depression in this Christmas season, pray they can find the Savior.  Also want to lift up my granddaughter Julie who is struggling in school.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

• Blessings of continued strength, endurance, compassion, and wisdom for God’s hands and feet in Chester County Prison – Chaplain Rhonda and Chaplain Heinrich, that they would continue to bless many residents, staff, and family members connected to the prison.

• For speedy recovery and healing for inmates, staff, and their family members suffering with illness or disease.

• For peace among the prison population and among the staff.

• For churches in Chester County (and beyond!) to be drawn to partner with aftercare programs designed to help disciple ex-offenders, building upon progress made in prison, and help them take positive steps toward reintegration to society.

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/

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org