[To view in a browser, visit this Link]
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We often hear prayer requests for those getting released soon. It's usually within a context of eagerness and excitement to be reunited with family. But sometimes it's coupled with fear of being left alone to their own devices and not wanting to repeat the mistakes of the past. We're thankful for that mature attitude to realize the potential for failure in all of us, especially when we depend solely upon ourselves.
Our four-part prayer for those being released is always the same. We pray that each man will remember the lessons God taught him while in prison, that God would bless him with wisdom to make wise choices (unlike the choices that led them to prison), that God would lead him to a Bible-preaching church that matches their personality and where brothers and sisters in the faith can come alongside to support, encourage and keep them accountable, and that each man would have the discipline to stay in God's word and read it every day – even if only one verse – so they can hear from God and stay on the path He's provided them.
It's a big prayer, but we have an even bigger God. Our Father loves them and wants them to succeed, and wants them to seek Him and share the successes with Him as well as the heartache. When men leave prison with a sense of relationship with God, we consider it a victory for our prison ministry.
Thank you all for sharing in the work, and I pray you might also share in the victories (although some of those may have to wait until heaven). Please continue to lift up in prayer the men and women inmates, the staff, our chaplains and volunteers, and all the families that support all of them. Prayer is a vital ingredient to any ministry, and we are so blessed to have all of you engaged in it with us.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (6:00pm Monday service):
- Greg– I'm actually glad to be in here, to have time to get on a better page with God. I pray for forgiveness for my actions and for yelling at God, for my neglect of my family, I miss my parents, and I'm thankful for the lessons I'm learning in here.
- Erskin– just came from court- thankful I'm getting released this week. God taught me patience. Pray for Diane, the woman who worked to get me into the VA, and I pray I can stay on the right track.
- Carl– I have these cycles of trust and then doubt with God. I'm thankful that my lawyer is looking for a rehab facility for me so I might be getting out soon. Pray for my daughters – my youngest turns 13 on Sunday, my oldest is disabled and her Mom is at the point of not being able to handle things any more- my daughter needs more care. We're looking for a residential program for her and it's making us very sad.
- Jim M– Prayers for the guys getting out, that they are saved, find a good Bible-believing church, and not fall back into the same situation that led here.
- Dan T– for my Brother-in-law John, and all new Christians, that they would continue to grow in faith.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (6:15pm Monday service):
- [Staff informed the ministry team of no inmate response to call for chapel services]
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (7:30pm Monday service):
- For continued healing of our brother volunteer Bill Harkins.
- Anthony-wife's graduation from rehab and to pray that she love the Lord
- Anukul– wife, sons, extended family and friends
- Jacob– grandma and his 2 daughters and that he can reunite w them
- Johnnie– family and son
- Eric– the men suffering in jail and all the people outside of prison w addiction and violence issues towards women
- Pat– his wife and soon to be new born baby
- Blair– parents, daughters and extended family
- Rasheem– his kids and their mom's salvation and for a fast court date for his release
- Keldomne– deliverance
- Elias– his upcoming court date and potential rehab
- Harry– his relationship w his children to be repaired
- Jimmy– all the families of the guys here at the prison
- Harry (2)- letting go of his thoughts and increasing his faith
- Abner– his daughter and his pregnant wife
- Vasquez– wife and his family
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For the many Volunteers ministering to inmates at Chester County Prison.
- For Chaplain Heinrich, and his ministry to male inmates and staff.
- For Chaplain Rhonda, and her ministry to female inmates and staff.
- For Chaplain Jack Crans, as he leads chaplaincy at Chester County Prison among both inmates and prison leadership, and for his personal strength and healing from cancer.
- For the Families supporting each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- For Onesimus Ministries Board of Directors, wisdom and insight for the future of the ministry.
- For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
If this email was forwarded to you and you'd like to subscribe, click HERE.
