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Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Phil's theme in his message last night was thanksgiving. While our culture celebrates it once a year on the last Thursday of November, God calls us in His Word to thanksgiving every day. Celebrations of thanksgiving to God are celebrated in very few places in our world (Phil said only in 4 of 195 countries). Globally, we are not very thankful. Yet 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 declares “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Christians should lead the world in thankfulness. We are to always be thankful, remembering what God has done for us in the past. And that extends to faith in how we can count on Him in the future, as in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
God has worked out a path to heaven for us – through His son Jesus Christ taking on our sin debt in exchange for His righteousness. He paid the ultimate penalty for our sin by giving His life for us on the cross. How can we not be thankful for His ultimate expression of love, as well as how He blesses us every day?
We are supremely thankful for each of you, lifting up these prayer requests and all the people associated with Chester County Prison each week. You are a blessing to many, and I pray God will continue to pour His blessing into your families this week and every week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (Inmate 1-on-1 sessions):
- William– finally got into the Work Release Center this morning, don't have a job yet, hopefully soon. Should be better than kitchen crew over in the main prison. Haven't really picked up my Bible much lately, looking forward to us studying the Bible together.
- Troy– never got called up to go to court Tuesday- that makes 5 court dates come and gone and never getting called up. I've given it completely over to God and just waiting on His timing for when things will move forward and when I'll get out of here. I've been seeing God working in my wife Beth's heart, reminding me 3 times to keep the faith. God is moving in my family even without me there. I'm hanging in there, just looking forward to our 1-1 sessions and church services each week.
Prayer Requests from 6:00pm Monday service:
- We pray for safety and protection of our brother Jose in India on business, and that God takes care of his family while he's away. Bring him back safely.
- Troy- thankful for volunteers coming out each week. Our block got uprooted today due to construction hitting a water line, 12 of us had to pack up our stuff and move with no notice. It's just a cell, but it's our home right now. Praying for peace and to depend on God in the rough times. Pray for my family, my sister Debbie had cold symptoms that turned out to be bronchitis, I'm running out of money on my account for phone calls, thankful my wife managed to get mortgage payment made – God provides. Also pray for forgiveness.
- Elijah– my son's first birthday is Wednesday, pray God keeps him joyous and happy, and that Mom can do something special for him on Wed. Pray for good outcome at court date next Monday, and that we can all have childlike faith.
- Raul– for all the men here, my family, and good news at my court appearance.
- Mike– my family (wife Robin, kids Hannah, Gavin, and Michael), pray for court date Wed regarding my house- that it can be pushed off as long as possible.
- Erwin J– my wife Rena with health issues – doctor thinks they know the problem, just need one more test to confirm- lifted her spirits- pray they can confirm and treat it effectively. Also for my sister Elwyn going through cancer treatments.
- Jim M– for everyone at CCP to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and for our brother Troy's situation of no court date in almost a year.
- Juan– for my family, my friends, everyone here, and thankful that I should be leaving in 3 months.
Prayer Requests from 7:30pm Monday service:
- Rick– strength and health for volunteer Bill Harkins undergoing cancer treatments.
- Al – Has a court hearing for guardianship of his mother. Praying that he would be awarded guardianship to care for his aging mother.
- Merril – Prayers for his two daughters who are sick, and prayers for him as he feels bad that he can't be there with them while they're not feeling well.
- Dave – Has a court date coming up, pray that God will help him trust the Lord with the outcome.
- Quenton – For strength and patience, for resolve to not fall into old ways once he's out in December.
- Kevin – For the Lord to soften his wife's heart towards him and allow him to spend time with his son once he gets out.
- Andrew – That his charges will be dismissed within the next two weeks/ Prays for the mother of his children to be ok financially in his absence.
- Chuck – pray the lord will grant him patience.
- Maurice – That his court date will go well.
- Elijah – That his court date will go well.
- Phil – for his wife who is feeling very overwhelmed with work and small children.
- Andy – that he would be more Mary, less Martha
- Cam – for his son Hayes who has Tourette's, that the Lord would heal him.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For a successful Onesimus Benefit Dinner at Green Street Grill on Nov 13.
- For Onesimus Ministries Board of Directors, wisdom and insight for the future of this ministry.
- For Chaplain Rhonda, in her ministry to female inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Heinrich, in his ministry to male inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Jack Crans, leading chaplaincy at Chester County Prison among both inmates and prison leadership, and for his personal strength and healing from cancer.
- For all Volunteers ministering in Chester County Prison.
- For the Warden and leadership at CCP, may ministries continue to find favor with them.
- For the Families of each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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