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/
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