Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Setting the clocks back to standard time means we now get to drive to and from the prison each week in the dark.  Not my favorite scenario, but it reminds me of Jesus’ words – “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:4-5)  I understand Jesus is referring to the time we have on earth to do God’s will (day) before we pass from this life (night), and later on Jesus tells his followers that we are the light of the world, so it’s a reminder we need to get moving on sharing the Good News before time runs out.

Understanding the Good News was at the heart of Dan’s message last night.  He began by asking “what must we do to be saved?”  A simple question with a simple answer, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).  Dan did a great job illustrating how humans have time and again over-complicated this Good News, and how the right answer is simple yet deep – much more than words, it’s a matter of the heart.

I am consistently impressed at how most of the prayer requests spoken each week are for someone or something beyond the individual, versus requesting prayers for themselves.  I think it shows a certain amount of spiritual maturity to be “other-focused” as God instructs us throughout His Word.  The men are encouraged each week to keep that focus, and share the Good News back on the blocks.  Our goal each week is to encourage them and perhaps provide some tools to do just that. Pray for success.

Thanks for your persistent prayers each week for these men and their prayer requests listed below.  Also lift up the ladies in prison, as well as our chaplains and the prison staff – all doing a job most of us would rather not even think about.  God bless you all this week!

Grace and peace,

Rick

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

• David– my children, my ex-wife got bad news this week – she lost her home.  Also my court date is this week.
• Andrew– for my cousins in my apartment to realize I got picked up, and for my cat.
• Calvin– for my son in Lancaster, we’ve not been able to communicate lately, and he’s hard-headed like me, pray we can make progress.  My court date coming up, praying for dismissed charges and release.
• Deshawn– my future, my girlfriend, and help to get off the road I’ve been walking and have a walk of faith.
• Shaun– for my fellow inmates, that God would comfort them, and for my grandson who turned 7 today.  Pray for my family that they would have what they need – things are getting bad.
• Tom– my friends and my family.
• Angel– my brother with kidney disease is out of the hospital but still needs healing.  Pray for the wars happening in the world, for hunger in so many places, and for the drug problem all over the place – satan’s tools in full force.  Also prayers for my family, and for my probation officer.  I pray that I would get into the program I need and for my charges to come down to misdemeanors.
• Ross– my cellmate beat me up and my court date on Nov 1 didn’t go well – I can’t get released without a place to live.  I’m from Florida and my friend still can’t find place to live.  I’m maxxed out right now.
• Steven– for all the men in here, and thankful for the volunteers coming out.  I’m first-time homeowner but fear losing my property because I’m in here and can’t take care of things.  Thankful that my son and brother can take care of some of the things.
• Brandt– for Israel and the situation over there, my family and friends, and my court date coming up.
• Phil T– for the elections on Tuesday- may Godly men and women get into office.

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

• Maurice– lost another Aunt last week, this one had no kids. Pray for God to watch over my family, especially my little cousins who lost both their Mom and Grandmother within the same year, and Dad is not there.
• Phil T– For the Alpha program at church to be successful and reach so many people who need Jesus.  Also for a family dealing with issues with their son – lift up Erin and Mark in prayer.
• Andy D– for revival in our country where many people would come to see the true and living God, and for the insanity of rejecting God to stop.
• Joseph– my children, my family, my friends, for churches, and my church.  For people to stop using God as a hustle for money. For everyone who is locked up- touch them in a way that brings them to the cross, and touch their families.  And for all the families who have recently lost loved ones.
• Dan T– for Pastor Jack Crans with late-stage cancer, we pary for a painless and peaceful passing into eternity with our Savior Jesus.  We are so thankful for all God has accomplished through him.
• Andy L– for my brother’s son Doug, recently released from prison but caught up in drugs and not yet walking with the Lord.  Pray for him to wake up and get right with God.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

Praise to God and thanksgiving for how He provides for this ministry through His faithful servants.

For a fresh daily indwelling of Holy Spirit strength, wisdom, and compassion in our wonderful chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich to prepare them for all God has in store for them each day.

Prayers of thanks for more volunteers to join the Monday night crew going into the prison each week.  May the applications be processed expediently so they may begin serving soon.  And may our gracious God touch a few more volunteer hearts to join us.

Prayers of endurance and blessing on the prison staff working long hours and many shifts due to manpower shortage.  May the Lord provide relief with some new hires.

God bless all the aftercare ministries in Chester County helping recently released women and men adapt to life on the outside with a new foundation in Christ Jesus.  May these ministries enjoy ample funding and resources to do what they do, and may every client be blessed to be a blessing to many 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 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,

Let me first welcome several new members to our weekly prison ministry prayer chain who signed up at the banquet.  Let me also offer my thanks to all who attended the Annual Onesimus Ministries Banquet last week.  Turnout was a bit light this year, but the food, fellowship, worship, and speakers were all excellent!  If you were unable to come, you missed out on a very special night – make sure to mark your calendars for next year about this same time!

Last evening was cold and wet, but the Son was shining brightly within the prison chapel I assure you.  The men who came out for the 7:00 and 8:30 worship services expressed how thankful they are for our presence each week, which just increases the joy for those of us going in as the Lord calls us to.  Phil’s message on hitting rock bottom and building upon the firm foundation of Christ was spot-on and the men really resonated with his personal testimony which included time in the very same institution.

This week I encouraged the men with Psalm 32 to kick off the prayer time.

Oh, what joy for those

    whose rebellion is forgiven,

    whose sin is put out of sight!

Yes, what joy for those

    whose record the Lord has cleared of sin,

    whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

When I refused to confess my sin,

    my body wasted away,

    and I groaned all day long.

Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.

    My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.      Interlude

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you

    and stopped trying to hide my guilt.

I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”

    And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.      Interlude

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,

    that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

For you are my hiding place;

    you protect me from trouble.

    You surround me with songs of victory.      Interlude

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

    I will advise you and watch over you.

Do not be like a senseless horse or mule

    that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

Many sorrows come to the wicked,

    but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!

    Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! (Psalm 32:1-11)

As I tell the men most weeks, the Psalms are the ultimate prayer guide and I believe God loves it when we pray scripture back to him and lay hold of His promises.  I encourage all of us to so the same, and in light of recent events, encourage us all to follow Psalm 122 praying for the peace of Jerusalem (and surrounding region). Thank you all for your diligence in prayer for the incarcerated women and men, and the men’s prayer requests voiced below.  May God bless you richly as you claim His promises and pray His Word.

Grace and peace,

Rick

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

• Dave– my children, my significant other, and wondering what is happening with my case – I’ve been here almost 8 months and haven’t seen a judge.
• Ross– big prayer request for a place to live in Florida (where I’m from), and for my cellmate Bernard who can’t be here because of severe back pain, and he found a lump in his side – pray it’s nothing.  Also want to pray for those on the outside.
• Shaun– pray that I can stay focused and get what I need out of this place, and pray that my fellow inmates can get what they need.  Also pray for my sister and her kids – they are having trouble making ends meet.  Also pray for my children and grandchildren.
• Mark– pray for everybody in the world, my significant other, family, and my brother is really on my mind (he died a year ago).  I’m trying to understand my destiny, and will be going up state for a while. Also want to pray for my girlfriend to find a place to live (getting evicted), and for some physical healing for my back and hip.  God help us break the cycle of bad decisions and bad behavior that land us here.  And help me to pause when faced with circumstances so I don’t overreact badly.
• Angel– for each of us, our wives, kids, moms and dads, and for all those struggling with addiction like my friend Stephanie.  It’s hard to contact my family, I pray for better communications and for my fiancé Danelle who just got out of rehab, that she stays safe and sober and works out her situation in the shelter she’s in.  Also pray for probation officers to help me get the help I need, and for peace and the children of the world.
• Steen– thank you Jesus for being here with us and being my personal Lord and Savior.  Thank you for the volunteers and I pray for our victims and for forgiveness for what I did.
• Phil T– I attended my 50th High School reunion and tried to share Christ with an old friend but he wasn’t really buying it.  Pray for Charlie.
• Angel– I’m concerned about a guy the Lord led me to talk with – he wants to hurt himself – I told the officers, but we really need to pray for Dennis.
• Joel– my family, for each of us, for the people in Mexico affected by the hurricane, for the war in Israel, and for all of us to be ready for when Jesus comes back.

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

• Martin– for successful recovery, my family, my 97 year old grandmom, and good outcome of my case.
• Maurice– my Aunt had a stroke. I pray for my little cousins who lost both their Mom and Grandmother within the same year, and Dad is not there.  Also pray for me in general.
• Clarence– Thankful for the volunteers, pray for the brothers back on the block who aren’t here, and pray for me, my children, my father’s legs keep going out on him, and I have court on the 27th of next month after being here 7 months.  Praying for strength for each day.
• Jacob– my family and a good outcome with my case.
• Joseph– for all the inmates to come to the cross, and also all the folks on the outside.  Pray for my family, my friends, and pray for my enemies.
• Dan– my sister Kathy is pregnant with her first, and it’s twins, and there’s difficulties with the pregnancy.  Pray for her health and the health of those babies, may they all be safe.
• Daryl– for Israel and peace of Jerusalem. And for our country and our leaders, and the next president to be a lot better.  Pray that we would all depend on God’s word and nothing else.  And for the volunteers to have good health and safe travels home tonight.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

We’re so thankful and praising God for his provision through the generosity of all ministry supporters – from the banquet offering, and our 15 very generous table sponsors, and all those who faithfully fund this ministry throughout the year.

Continue to pray for protection, wisdom, and daily strength for chaplains Heinrich and Rhonda as they serve each week in the prison ministering to many inmates, staff members, and their families. Also praying for safe return to the US for Rhonda and husband Mike on an overseas trip.

Thanks and prayers for more laborers in the field – God always provides and we are counting on Him.  We have a few new volunteers in the pipeline and pray all goes well processing their applications and background checks. 

Remember to lift up the prison staff who are short-handed and must work many long shifts.  It takes a toll on them and their families – may the Lord strengthen them with endurance and may His peace surround them at work and at home.

Finally, please keep in prayer the aftercare ministries across Chester County that help men and women recently released from prison.  May they have what they need in personnel and resources to bless these former inmates as they rebuild their lives on a firm foundation of Christ.

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,

Last night may have been not-so-great news for Phillies fans, but there was plenty of GOOD NEWS proclaimed in the Prison chapel for those who came out.  It can be so rewarding to hear the heartfelt appreciation for us coming out each week, and the depth of sharing by some of the men during testimony time is incredible. What an honor to be used by our Lord in this way at this time for the benefit of these men. When we get home after 10pm on Monday nights, it’s encouraging to know that we made a difference simply by being obedient to the Lord’s call.

Erwin’s message reminded us that we were all created by God, but not all are children of God.  Being a child of God only happens for those who accept Christ – “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).  Erwin further stressed to the men we all have a choice – to follow God or not – and our choice has some serious consequences.  The results of either choice were spelled out in detail, with the obvious conclusion “Who wouldn’t choose God?”

Each week the Gospel is preached and men are encouraged to make the best choice ever in this life.  We get a small glimpse of where their hearts are by hearing what they’d like prayer for.  Our prayer time last night began with these verses from Psalm 28:

Praise the Lord!

    For he has heard my cry for mercy.

The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger.

    I trust him with all my heart.

He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.

    I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

The Lord protects his people

    and gives victory to his anointed king.

Save your people!

    Bless Israel, your special possession!

Lead them like a shepherd,

    and carry them in your arms forever. (Psalm 28:6-9)

The last verse seemed poignant considering the current conditions in the Middle East.  Let us all continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem as well as the other prayer requests spoken by the men across both services.  Again my thanks for your support of this ministry through prayer and other means.  Together we are a light in a pretty dark place.  Thanks for your partnership. Be blessed this week.

Grace and peace,

Rick

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

• Angel– for my brother’s health (needs a kidney), my family’s health, and the health of the men in here.  Thanks be to God for changing my life through reading the Bible every day, I pray for strength and to be able to give 100% of my life to God.  Also pray for my lady that she’s going to be OK.  Pray that prison would rehabilitate us with some programs- we need some programs while we wait so long to even see a judge. Also pray for Stephanie who has drug problem.
• Ross– for 2 men back on the block.  Bernard still has much back pain and now a lump in his left side, praying it’s not cancer.  And for Cody that he doesn’t have diabetes.
• Shaun– for all the inmates in here that God would be with them.  And for my sister, my kids, and my grandkids.
• Dave– for everyone in here, for my buddy mark, for my kids and my girlfriend, and for judges to figure out what to do with me, I’ve been here for over 300 days.
• Dios– for all to go well with my court date tomorrow (Tue), and that I could be released.  And for all our families.
• Joel– for my mother’s health- she is very sick and can’t move.  I pray too that she can be on path to Jesus.  And please make my faith stronger.
• Andy L– for my neighbor who is dying of kidney disease and probably won’t get a new kidney since none available. May they trust in the Lord.

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

• Maurice– my Aunt had a stroke. I pray for my little cousins who lost their Mom last year and Grandmother also died.
• Martin– for my family, my 97-year-old grandmother, for a good outcome of my case, and for strength to overcome my drug addiction permanently and put that part of my life behind me.
• Corey– for everyone in the room, for my family (brother and parents on road trip), that we can stay healthy, and for my girlfriend.
• Jacob– for healing in many ways- my grandfather had a bad fall and now has covid in the hospital, lots of guys on the block have stuff going on, and please heal our hearts- so much bad stuff happening in the world.
• Jeremiah– our families, and for humility of all the lawyers and judges in our cases – God is the only true judge.
• Dan T– for the peace of Jerusalem as our time here seems to be getting very short. I pray we are all ready for Jesus’ return.
• Andy D– my family and I are all grieving the recent loss of my Mom.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

Praise God for our 15 table sponsors for the Annual Banquet for Onesimus Ministries this Friday.  We pray that attendees will have a great night of fellowship and praise for what God is doing through this ministry.

God bless chaplains Heinrich and Rhonda as they serve each week in the prison ministering to many inmates, staff members, and their families. Travelling mercies for Rhonda and husband Mike as they return from an overseas trip.

For additional laborers in the field – God provides and we are waiting on Him.  He knows our need for more volunteers to come into the prison with us on Monday nights. 

Pray for prison staff forced to do more with less as they experience staff shortages.  Families are impacted by the longer hours and many shifts.

Please continue to pray for the various aftercare ministries across Chester County, helping men and women recently released from prison to cope better with the outside, and rebuild their lives on a firm foundation of Christ.  May these ministries be fruitful and have all the resources they need to operate effectively.

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’s tough to compete with Philly sports teams running after a championship, so our numbers were low last evening at the Monday night services in Chester County Prison.  But as Dan always reminds us, “everyone that is supposed to be here, is here”.  I believe God blesses the faithfulness of those who show up no matter what, even when it’s not the convenient or popular thing to do.  And we were all blessed with His presence last night.

Andy’s message drove home the point that faith in the one true God is not about religion or rules, but a relationship with a heavenly Father who loves us more than we can imagine, and His Son who gave His all for us to be with Him forever, and gave us His Spirit to be with us forever.  We walked through many interactions between Peter and Jesus, showing that no matter how close we may ever get to Christ, we still mess up, and He stands ready  to forgive and restore us.  The men were very engaged, especially as Andy recounted parts of his own personal journey of faith.

At the beginning of both services, our prayer times began with meditating on these verses from Psalm 27:

Hear me as I pray, O Lord.

    Be merciful and answer me!

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”

    And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

Do not turn your back on me.

    Do not reject your servant in anger.

    You have always been my helper.

Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,

    O God of my salvation!

Even if my father and mother abandon me,

    the Lord will hold me close.

Teach me how to live, O Lord.

    Lead me along the right path,

    for my enemies are waiting for me.

Do not let me fall into their hands.

    For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;

    with every breath they threaten me with violence.

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness

    while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the Lord.

    Be brave and courageous.

    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. (Psalm 27:7-14)

The Psalms are so rich yet so real as King David poured out his heart and emotions to the Lord.  May we likewise touch our Father’s heart with praise as we also lift up the inmates, their families, and the prayer requests below.  Thank you for your diligent prayers and support of this ministry.  May your treasures in heaven be piling up beyond belief!

Grace and peace,

Rick

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

• Shaun– I pray for peace over my fellow inmates and our families.  I pray the Lord’s blessing on my 8 year old grandson Semaj on his birthday, and for my sister Aisha who is a hardworking nurse but struggling financially, may God bless her with his provision.
• Ross– my cellmate Bernard would like to be here but has severe back pain.  I’m still in need of a place to live in Florida where I’m from, and for my lawsuits up here and down there to be settled. Also prayers for the inmates with covid, and for Israel.
• Dave– for so many inmates going through hard times.  Please pray for my court date on Wednesday and for my family.
• Luke– for everyone here, that God would meet each of us where we are and we could encounter Him.  I’m asking God to maintain my job for when I get out so I can support my family, or grant me another job if this one is gone. Pray that God would meet with my wife and soften her heart.
• Mark– for my significant other who needs a place to live and hasn’t had much luck with her bad credit.  Pray that she makes it and that she’s OK.  I keep thinking of destiny – what am I supposed to learn here, and what am I supposed to do?  Help me to trust God as it looks like I may be going up state (prison). Please bless my family that’s left, as many have already died.
• Angel– for peace in the world and in Israel.  For the children of the world and for my family, especially my brother who needs a kidney and my father who is in bad health.  I pray for my fiance to recover and find a place to live, and I pray for us in here who are waiting weeks and weeks without seeing a judge.
• Luke– for my 3 sons – Dominic, Vincent, and Nate who are very young and don’t know I’m in prison.  Thanks for a good grandfather instilling faith in them by his example.  My one son is autistic and I pray for his understanding of faith.
• Angel– a friend is on drugs and she’s very sick- God please heal her.
• Shaun– so thankful for my granddaughter and that I get to see her when I’m in rehab.  Also pray for God’s message tonight to give us hope and give us a more positive state of mind.  Thankful for the volunteers who come out each week.

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

• Maurice– my Mom’s older sister is near death, I pray for my family especially my little cousins who have suffered so much loss in their lives already with Mom and Grandmother passing away.
• Jacob– my 96 year old grandfather had a bad fall a week ago, and has had a lot of health scares, may God bless him with strength and heath.  Also pray for my daughter (she’s 2-1/2) and for those taking care of her.
• Dean– I just want to pray for the world.
• Andy L– for my neighborhood, as I look around there are so many problems – several broken marriages, and one woman who is all alone and needs a kidney transplant but is likely to die before that happens.
• Andy D– for my brother, sister, and my wife – we are all still grieving the recent loss of my Mom.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

We are very thankful for business owners stepping up to sponsor tables at the Annual Banquet for Onesimus Ministries on Oct 27.  We pray for a good turnout of people and a wonderful night of fellowship and praise for what God is doing through this ministry.

For speedy recovery of Pastor Vernon, our ministry Chairman Vernon dealing with some personal health issues.

Praise and thanksgiving for additional volunteers to join the ministry team going in on Monday nights.  We pray they will follow through and bless inmates with this new calling.

Pray for the prison staff as they continue to experience shortages which result in long hours and many shifts, also taking a toll on their families.

For our wonderful chaplains so faithful in serving the prison population week after week.  May the Lord bless them to be a blessing to many others.

We lift up the aftercare ministries focused on helping recently released women and men stay faithful to the new path established while in prison.  May they be blessed with all needed staffing and resources to be effective in their ministry.

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