My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are thankful for Chaplain Heinrich stepping in to cover for Chaplain Rhonda during her trip to Israel. We pray she will be blessed by this trip, as much as my wife and I were last year in October when we had the opportunity to tour Israel with a church group.  Everyone at church kept telling me “you’ll never read the Bible the same way again” – and they were right!  Now when I read of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, I can picture it because I was there.  In fact, one of the olive trees we saw in that garden was over 2000 years old – it was there when Jesus cried out to the Father before going to the cross. Simply amazing.

We were in the upper room where the last supper was served, we walked through Caiaphas’ house where they brought Jesus before the High Priest, and we visited Golgotha where Jesus hung on a cross. But the most moving experience was walking into the garden tomb and seeing where Joseph laid Jesus’ body after His crucifixion.  Incredible as that was, the more important thing is that the tomb is empty!  Our Savior is risen!  We worshipped and celebrated communion just a few feet away – I will never forget that!

Overall, it felt like following the footsteps of Jesus was the next best thing to being there with Him.  It put a more solid sense of reality to all we read in the Bible.  Yet I still take great comfort in what Jesus told Thomas after His resurrection…

Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

A few years ago, we didn’t have the resources to take such a trip.  I often prayed and asked God to make a way for us to tour the Holy Land.  We had to wait 2 years because of covid, but He came through and totally blessed us.  I highly recommend this trip for every Christian. Ask God to make a way for you to go – you will never read your Bible the same way again!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich

Please pray for:

NM: “Seeking spiritual direction. I’m hearing voices and seeing visions”.

MA: “I’m very much in need of ministerial counseling”.

TC: “I would like your prayers for myself and my daughter that we may overcome financial crisis and housing hardship”.

EN: “May I please have a ‘Jesus Calling’ book? Pray that the Holy Spirit will answer this heart-cry.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

For Chaplain Rhonda Soland to be blessed in significant ways while touring Israel. And that the Lord would bring her back to us safely.

For Chester County prison to follow the example of all the State Prisons and open their doors to religious volunteers, that we might once again minister in person to inmates.

For Chaplain Heinrich to have the strength and stamina to keep up with both his and Rhonda’s work.

For good health, good spirits, and a sense of Christ’s peace throughout the prison.

For quick healing and recovery for those suffering from any infirmity within the prison.

For inmates to continue to seek out and pursue Christ, and find Him.  May each one be blessed beyond measure as they enjoy the hope they now have in assured salvation through Christ alone.

For the aftercare ministries that receive released inmates from Chester County – may they continue in strength and availability to help those who need it.  For wisdom and endurance of the volunteers, and for great blessing of the clients to more readily seek after You.

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/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

God blessed us with a beautiful weekend to celebrate Memorial Day.  To some, it’s nothing more than the unofficial start to Summer vacation season.  But for veteran families this holiday holds special meaning.  We commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice in military service to our country. We enjoy many freedoms in this country, from living and working wherever we want, to unrestricted travel and openly worshipping whichever faith we choose. Securing and maintaining these freedoms came at a cost, and on Memorial Day we remember those who paid that cost.

Sounds very similar to another situation, where we enjoy freedom from the power of sin in our lives and no longer fear death since we’re promised eternal life. And these freedoms for all people for all time were paid for by one man dying on a cross as the ultimate sacrifice.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. (Galatians 5:1)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. (Romans 8:1-2)

We are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice every week at church, although Christians should commemorate it every day.  Another freedom we enjoy is to pray openly, and we certainly appreciate all of you exercising that ability on a regular basis.  Thanks as always for your ongoing support – God bless your week!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich

Please pray for:

Chaplain Rhonda Soland while touring Israel. Pray for safety and blessing.

D.B.- “I’m new here”. Pray for him and other inmates who enter prison life for the first time. The shock is intense.

R.R.- “I need a Bible for my ‘spiritual dilemmas’ in here. Pray for true insight and conviction.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

Lord, we pray your timing would be soon for re-opening Chester County Prison to volunteers to take your Word inside the gates and minister to your people in person.

We also pray that the many volunteer organizations that used to go into CCP will be ready and able once the way is clear.

We ask for wisdom, strength, and a daily filling of your Spirit for Chaplains Heinrich and Rhonda as they are your hands and feet within the prison walls each day.

Please protect the health of staff and inmates who operate in close quarters, and restore the health of those who have fallen ill.

We ask for compassion and peace between inmates and staff.

We ask for many hearts to turn to you at their time of greatest need, with the faith that you will meet them where they are and lift them from the miry clay.

We ask your blessing upon the aftercare ministries that take care of the men and women recently released from prison. May those ministries have ample volunteers and the support they need to effectively help their clients maintain their footing on the path that leads ultimately to You.

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/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Over the weekend, Rick Warren’s Daily Hope devotionals have been addressing the idea of integrity, which is pretty important among believers.  It affects how we are seen by others, lends credibility to our witness, and can serve as a lasting legacy after we’re gone. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)

How we act when no one is watching should be the same way we act when everyone is watching.  To do otherwise would be hypocritical.  God wants us to be who He made us to be no matter who is watching, and remember that He is always watching!

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9)

Integrity means keeping promises, refusing to gossip, doing our best at work, and being real with others. Most people can spot a phony, and we don’t want to be that person – especially if they know we’re a Christian.  When we bear His name as Christians, we must take it seriously. 

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. (Exodus 20:7)

I recently heard a deeper definition of the 3rd  commandment – that as Christians we take His name, and if we are no different than everyone else, we are taking the Lord’s name in vain.  I believe integrity is a really big deal with God, and I’m thankful for having many people in my life whose integrity is woven throughout the fabric of their life.  Two of them I mention here quite often – Chaplain Heinrich and Chaplain Rhonda.  It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know them the last few years, and we could all do well to model their daily service to “the least of these” in the prison.  Please continue to lift them up in prayer, along with the prayer requests they present here every week.  And thanks for being the prayer warrior God called you to be.

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich

Please pray for:

K.T. – a 60-year old man, who spent more than half of his life in the prison system, has been running from God for decades and is now afraid to return to Him.

The 8 inmates who today received Bibles, daily devotionals, other literature and a one year Bible reading plan. Pray that God will use these tools to His own honor.

MaryBeth Finn, wife of Mark Finn, a faithful religious volunteer at CCP and the coordinator of the prison ministry at Calvary Chapel Chester Springs. Mark recently passed away after a long battle with cancer.

A.E. – He demonstrates no insight and/or brokenness about his actions that caused his incarceration.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

For prison ministry to be allowed to flourish once again within Chester County Prison, and that the prison chapel would once again become a center of faith-based activity instead of remaining dark as it’s been since the beginning of covid.

Daily strength and wisdom for Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich as they minister to everyone out at Chester County Prison.

Peace and good health among the inmates and the staff within Chester County Prison.

That more men and women at Chester County Prison would take this time to reflect on their life and make the best decision possible – to accept the Lord.

Prayers of blessing for aftercare ministries helping recently released men and women build upon a foundation of faith that may have begun or been re-ignited during their prison stay.  May God bless the ministry workers and clients alike, that they would be a blessing to others.

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/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

While in State College this past weekend for my daughter’s 30th birthday party, we attended my daughter’s church where a guest preacher spoke about blessing.  Blessings and curses were mentioned throughout the Old Testament, and they held weight among God’s people in both the physical and the spiritual realm.  Yet nowadays we hardly speak of blessings outside of describing a person’s good fortune, and I can’t recall the last time I’ve heard talk about a curse. 

We have it in our power to give our blessing to friends and family, and a Father’s blessing still means something in traditional circles.  We can live into and continue generational blessing by consistently reminding our children (and others around us) that we love them and are pleased with who they are (not necessarily what they’ve done).  We find the perfect example of a Father’s blessing at the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

Some may also be living under curses, even generational curses, being told they’re no good, can’t do anything right, or will never amount to much.  In fact, the absence of a parental blessing can in some ways be a curse.  I imagine a great deal of men and women who find themselves in prison can relate to that experience. We can thank God once again for a His solution –

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1John 4:4)

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

We must never underestimate the power of our words – we have the choice to bless or curse whenever we speak with anyone.

“Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)

Our wonderful Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich know that very well, and are there in Chester County Prison as God’s representatives to bless and not to curse, and to remind them of God’s agape love and forgiveness that is so much greater than any curse here on earth.

Thank you for your blessing of this prison ministry through prayer and other means of support.  I pray God would pour out His blessing upon each of you in a very real way this week.

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda

Prayer requests for this week:

A.W. – came in with no faith; was here a long time; left with a new-found and growing faith in God; going to state prison.

J. K. – recently left CCP after turning to God.

M. I. – wrote:  “I really need to sit and speak with you. I just had a death in my family and I have a few questions I’m hoping you can help me with so I can find some kind of inner peace right now.”  Please pray that she finds the “inner peace” (aka Jesus) she’s seeking.

T. K. – asking for prayer for upcoming court date.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

Blessings of peace, strength, endurance, compassion, and wisdom upon Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich as they minister to everyone out at Chester County Prison day after day.

That the staff and inmates (and their families) would be blessed with good health – physically, mentally, and relationally.

For revival within the prison walls where many open their hearts and are moved by the Spirit of God to accept the reality of Jesus Christ as the only hope and the only answer to our sinful condition.

For decisions to be made once and for all to allow in-person ministry to resume at the prison, and for chapel services to be green-lighted once again.  Volunteers have been eagerly standing by for over 3 years – but Lord, we wait for your perfect timing.

Blessings upon the aftercare ministries helping men and women recently released from prison to cope/assimilate to life on the outside, building upon a foundation of faith that may have begun or been re-ignited during their prison stay.  We ask God’s blessing upon the many ministry workers and clients alike.

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/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

How often do we have opportunity to share the Gospel?  More than you might think.  People all around us- at work, the store, the gas station, in our favorite restaurants- wherever you look, people need Jesus.  Often the best opportunities come from unlikely places, and as followers of Christ we need to be ready.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)

My Christian Motorcyclists Association chapter had such opportunity Sunday afternoon.  A West Reading motorcycle club asked us to provide a “bike blessing” at their May meeting (we don’t actually bless motorcycles, we pray for riders).  After a group prayer, we ask everyone to stand by their bike for a personal blessing.  We split into teams and before we pray for each individual, we ask if there’s anything else we can pray for- at work, in the family, health-related – and almost always, something comes up.  It really touches people- yes, even outlaw bikers- when you pray for something meaningful to them.  It shows we care, and opens them up a little more to receiving God’s love and the message of salvation. 

Some ministries stress about getting folks to make a decision for Christ in one conversation.  I think that’s pretty rare, especially with someone  you just met!  Personally, I’ll rely on the Bible, like Paul’s words to the Corinthian church…

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.  So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.  Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:5-8)

We may never know if we’re planting seeds, or watering what someone else may have planted, but we are called to tell others the Good News of salvation made possible through the blood of Christ shed on the cross for us all.

Chaplains Heinrich and Rhonda have similar opportunities every day in Chester County Prison, and these opportunities are consistently met with Christ’s love and the Gospel message thanks to their obedience and their presence, made possible by supporters of this ministry.  And prayer support is every bit as essential as financial support. Thank you everyone for the part you play in meeting the needs of inmates and prison staff and their families.  God bless you for your faithfulness!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich

Please Pray for:

DC: He had a bad relationship with his father who passed away on Friday after surgery. Pray that DC may discover his Father in Heaven.

AE: Pray for brokenness and honesty among all involved. Thank God for extremely concerned family, friends and neighbors.

JD: Very confused young man with serious spiritual/mental (and probably demonic) challenges.

CW: “Want to see a Chaplain about a religious emergency”.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

For all the inmates (and their families) to stay healthy – physically, mentally, and relationally.

For those inmates really thinking about their life and what it all means- that they would open their heart to God and seek His face by asking their questions to Christian inmates and the prison Chaplains.

We ask God to provide the open doors for in-person ministry to inmates to resume, and for chapel services to be held once again.  We pray that the prison chapel would once again be a hub of activity throughout the week.

For the hearts of prison staff to be filled with compassion, and the hearts of inmates to be filled with respect for staff, and for peace to reign throughout the prison each day.

For all the aftercare ministries helping the recently released men and women to cope/assimilate to life outside prison, and to build upon a foundation of faith that may have begun or been re-ignited during their prison stay.  We pray success for ministry workers and clients alike.

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/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Over the weekend, my church held a meal-packing event to assemble and send 50,000 dehydrated meals to victims of the devastating earthquakes in Syria and Turkey back in February, where thousands died and millions became homeless.  It was wonderful to see families and individuals of all ages from the community and several different churches come together to follow what Jesus told us to do – love our neighbors.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

Technology has made our world much smaller, and who we consider neighbors goes beyond the folks living next door.  My wife and I served on the support team, which made it a long, hard weekend, but it was so worth the effort.  For those who live a joyless life, the rewards of blessing people you will never meet may be hard to comprehend. But my advice to everyone is just try it – you’ll see.

Many people are depressed these days, yet the Holy Spirit gave us the solution through the apostle Paul 2000 years ago (and psychiatrists today are just discovering this) – serving others:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others.  In your relationships with one another, have the very attitude of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:3-5)

Happiness is fleeting, and depends on circumstances.  Joy comes from within when you follow God’s Word.  I pray that all of you will have opportunities to find true joy in this life. Serving the men and women in prison brings joy to our Chaplains – Heinrich and Rhonda – and I hope your support of this prison ministry through prayer and other means will bring you joy as well.  God bless your week!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda

Requests for this week:

B. D. –  an older inmate, incarcerated for the 2nd time in less than 4 months; asking for “spiritual guidance”.

C. M. – another older inmate (62), back in CCP; dealing with multiple issues.

T. C. – went out of CCP to have surgery; back in and recuperating; excited to be learning more about a relationship with God.

V. D. & K. J. – both first-timers; both religious “none’s”, and both seeking “spiritual guidance and advice”. Pray that God gets a hold of their hearts.

L. K.  Recently left CCP; pray that she will continue on her journey w/ God which she started while in here.

Praises to the Lord for continuing to work and stir in the hearts of the women, as I am noticing increased responsiveness from them.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

Lord, grant the inmates health and wellbeing  in their physical, mental, and social/relational being.

We pray the will of God our Savior, who desires all people (including inmates) to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

We pray for open doors to the prison volunteers, that in-person ministry to inmates and having church services would resume without delay.

We lift up the staff and leadership of Chester County Prison, and pray God’s blessing to resolve key issues around staffing and covid restrictions.

May there be peace among the inmate population. And may those in solitary confinement find the Lord meeting them in the depths of their despair.

We pray for the various aftercare ministries that assist men and women getting out of prison to build a new life upon the foundation of Christ which may have begun (or re-started) in prison.  May volunteer mentors be plentiful, and churches willing to step into the gap, that more women and men could be served.

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/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This morning a friend at church shared devastating news received just weeks ago – a prognosis of cancer, with chemo already in progress.  What most impressed me was the strength of her faith as she repeated “God’s got this”, and her request for prayers of thankfulness for her healing.  She’s already claiming victory in Jesus’ name, hanging onto these verses:

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

Sure, she doesn’t understand why this is happening now – we all want to assign a reason to the situations we find ourselves in. But she’s not getting hung up on that.  We always want to know “why?”, but God does not owe us any answers.  We must trust Him since He is perfect and all-knowing, and we can’t see the big picture from our viewpoint.  Some things we won’t know until we get to heaven.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

As we discussed how God answers prayer in sometimes unexpected ways (especially prayers asking Him to use us as He would), I shared the passage below with her:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

I believe God allows trials in our lives to strengthen our faith through reliance on Him, and to perfectly equip us to minister to others going through the same trial.  Instead of asking “why?”, perhaps a better response is “God, what do you want me to learn through this?”

In the prison, we often hear of inmates ministering to other inmates on the cell blocks – Mature Christians witnessing to new believers and leading bible studies while they’re all going through similar trials. I think we can all take a lesson from them and from my friend.  Thanks as always for your support of this prison ministry, and let’s lift up my friend, the inmates and staff of Chester County Prison, and our wonderful Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich.  More prayer request below.  Have a blessed week!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich

Please Pray for:

R.F.: “Thank you so much for the book. It helped a lot plus the talk you gave at my church”. We never know who the stranger is we interact with and where they are in their walk with God. Pray that the counseling sessions will be blessed.

J.G.(37) : Sentenced to 22 ½-45 years in State prison. He has always been open to the Gospel, attended programs in the chapel but never fully surrendered to the Lord. Pray that Christ will change his heart and make him a true missionary in his new “village”.

A.E.: He is from a very conservative, “plain” background, trying to “do life” without the God he fears but have never surrendered to. Pray for him and his very supportive but broken parents and siblings.

K.B.: Distraught since he discovered his father is in a hospice facing the end of his life. Pray that KB will be an encouragement to his family even from inside the prison. Pray also for the family dealing with this situation.

Thank God for Christian brothers and sisters among the staff. They are a true blessing and an extension of the chaplains efforts.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

For health among the prison population – physical, mental, and social/relational.

For every inmate to embrace salvation made possible through Jesus Christ alone. May each one hear the Gospel message clearly, whether from the Chaplains or fellow inmates, and to choose wisely.

For staffing issues and covid fears to subside.

For peace on the cell blocks, and an abundance of understanding and compassion between inmates and staff (in both directions).

That decisions would soon be made to reopen the prison to volunteers, so that in-person ministry to inmates could resume.

Many blessings upon the various aftercare programs among churches in Chester County.  May these programs enjoy ample support and a steady flow of volunteers to support the faith journey of men and women released from prison.  May those gifted with Christian mentorship seek to use that gift within these programs to honor our Lord.

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/

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

www.onesimusministries.org

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This past weekend at my daughter’s church in State College, we heard an old testament teaching centered on how can a fallen humanity approach a Holy God?  In ancient times, as God’s chosen people followed leaders like Abraham and Moses, the presence of God was experienced as fire on Mount Sinai, or the glory of God filling the temple where Moses could not even go in.  God’s presence was an awesome, powerful, and fearful thing, and if not handled with due respect, you could die. Not even Moses could see God and live.

Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”  And The LORD said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” (Exodus 33:18-20)

I wonder if that’s how inmates feel about their day in court.  How can an incarcerated sinner approach a strict Judge – someone who has the power to determine what happens next in their life?  Thank God we know the rest of the story that had not yet unfolded for the ancient Jews – That forgiveness is possible through Jesus Christ and his ultimate sacrifice to pay for all of our sins!  And He sits at the Father’s right hand interceding for us!

Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.  Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. (Romans 8:33-34)

While we should maintain a healthy respect and awe of God, those who trust in Christ can feel safe about “throwing ourselves on the mercy of the court” since our intercessor and our ultimate Judge love us unconditionally.  Breaking man’s law will still require payment for the transgression, but praise God our future with Him is secure through Christ our savior!

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

Thanks for hanging in there with us each week in prayer as we share the requests from inmates, relayed through our wonderful Chaplains in Chester County Prison – Rhonda and Heinrich.  And keep them in prayer as well. God bless your week!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda

The requests for this week:

T. C. – in prison for a very serious offense, but seeking to turn her life around and grow in a relationship with God.

S. L. – back in Chester County Prison; dealing with mental health issues, but very sincerely seeking after God.

K. N. – a religious “none”; requested a Bible and now writes, “thanks again for the Bible. I’ve been benefiting a lot from having it.” Please pray that she will have an unquenchable desire to continue in the Word and that she will come to know the Lord.

J. K. – “Please pray for my mother’s health and to deliver her from stress.”

D. M. – desiring to grow closer to the Lord, she requested a visit, writing, “I have a lot of questions I hope you can answer for me. Please help me understand some if this.”

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

That each and every inmate would realize that forgiveness is possible through Jesus Christ, and avail themselves of that opportunity while there’s still time.

Thank you Lord for your servants Heinrich and Rhonda who minister in your name to inmates, staff, and families connected with Chester County Prison – please continue to bless them to be a blessing to many others.

That there would be peace among the prison population, on the cell blocks, and compassion between inmates and staff (in both directions).

May God’s Word continue to be studied, discussed, and meditated upon back on the cell blocks, even in the  absence of formal religious gatherings (still not allowed).

For the prison to reopen soon for volunteers to minister in-person to inmates, and may the prison chapel be filled with those eager to hear the Word of God.

May God bless and cause the various aftercare programs to flourish among churches in Chester County.  May these programs continue to support the faith journey of men and women released from CCP, and help them in their efforts to re-enter society as children of the King.  May those with the gift of Christian mentorship seek to use that gift within these programs to honor you, 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 info@onesimusministries.org.

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

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