Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Have you ever heard someone ask “if you’ve already read the Bible, why do you keep reading it over and over?” I know for me personally, I often catch things on subsequent readings of a passage that I didn’t catch the first time. For example, I shared with the men last night that many of us are familiar with Jesus’ words about when 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, there He is among us – that comes from Matthew 18:20. Well, just the other day I was in Matthew 18 as part of a devotional reading, and the verse right before that one stuck out as if I’d never seen it before:
“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
I get it – verse 19 is the biblical foundation for why we do prayer time in prison services each week! The men speak their prayer requests, then the prayer leader goes up front and prays through the list again, praying in agreement on each request. I also reminded the men that God always answers prayers, although it’s often not WHEN we expect it, or the answer we WANT to hear. God’s timing is perfect, and sometimes the answer is NO, and sometimes the answer is WAIT.
Later in the service, Erwin’s message informed the men about being a child of God. We are all created by Him, but we’re not automatically His children, that only comes with belief. As John wrote in the first chapter of his gospel, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11-12). He went on to describe four elements of belief (knowledge, conviction, trust, and obedience) and the three marks of a child of God – belief in Jesus, love of doing what’s right, and being led by the Spirit of God.
Erwin wrapped up by illustrating the many rewards for the children of God (promises of the Bible) versus the consequences of not being a child of God (final judgement, destined for lake of fire). He made it abundantly clear that the choice is ours to make – God gave us free will to make the choice – and there are only two options: We are either for God, or against God – there is no middle ground. Of course he urged everyone to make the right choice while there is still time.
I want to thank all of you again for making the choice to support this ministry with your faithful prayers each week, lifting up our chaplains, the inmates and their requests below, and all the families connected with Chester County prison. You are storing up treasures in heaven, and we are most grateful for your support. Blessings on you and your family this week.
Grace and peace,
Rick
Female Inmate Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda:
B. P. – Asking for prayer for strength, wisdom, guidance, and protection. She’s praying that she “can stay focused & on the right path that God wants (her) on. Pls pray with her.
C. L. – Asking for prayer (unspecified)
Inmate Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm service):
- Dave– for my kids, my family, and loved ones. Hoping next week they will figure out what they are doing with me.
- Ross– my case comes to court on Wed, praying for complete transfer of my case to my home state of Florida. Also praying that my friends can find me a place to live in FL. I pray that everyone getting out would have a place to live.
- Steven– all praise, honor and glory to God, thanking him for the volunteers each week, and that I just feel great tonight. God really got my attention by putting me in here, but It’s a joy to be learning about Jesus and the Bible. Such a better us of my time now. I pray for my family and thankful they are taking care of my affairs like mortgage payments while I’m here.
- John– thankful to God for his forgiveness and mercy. Also for His love and kindness.
- Scott– thankful for God’s forgiveness and that no one was killed by my DUI. This is a real wake up call for me. And thanks God for my wife and for bringing her back to me.
- Angel– for everyone in here and our families. For my fiancé who just got out of drug rehab but is using again and she got thrown out of halfway house. I pray she’s safe and that I knew more of what’s going with her. Pray for those in control of my freedom, that they would be inspired by God through His Holy Spirit. Pray I can get into the drug/alcohol program I want to get into. Also please help me with all my anger about my situation. Also want to pray for Bernard who is still in a lot of back pain.
- Andrew– I go to rehab on Friday. Thankful that tomorrow I get reclassified to minimum security and get transferred to the workers block. Also pray for my cat.
- Tommy– for Israel and other war-torn nations around the world. And for my family. Also pray for our brother Bernard back on the block- he just got bad news from his family.
- Eric– for everyone in here to get back to their families as soon as possible.
- Ken– pray for our families during this Christmas season, and for my daughter who I’ve not heard from for weeks. Pray she’s OK and that I would hear from her soon.
- Joel– for family, thanks for the volunteers, and I’m feeling distant from the Lord because things are not working out for me. Pray for my Mom’s health.
- Warren– that all goes well in court tomorrow.
Inmate/volunteer Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)
- Martin– that I would be restored, and for my 97-year-old grandma, and for my family. For rehabilitation and recovery, and a good outcome of my case. And for Clarence who could make it out tonight.
- Phil T– reinjured my back and in a lot of pain.
- Andy D– thankful for volunteers in progress- we have 6 guys lined up for the 2nd service. Also very grateful for the 1st service guys staying for 2nd service since we’re back in the prison post-covid.
- Dan T– For a man struggling with his 18-year-old son’s suicide – he blames himself. Pray that he can receive forgiveness from the Lord.
- Martin– my Aunt Stacey’s 57th birthday today.
- Dean– all of our families, and for the tension in our world today.
- Andy L– a man who was my friend for 65 years recently passed away – pray for his wife, she used to have such life in her eyes and now they’ve grown dull as she is in deep grief.
- Phil T– all those suffering depression in this Christmas season, pray they can find the Savior. Also want to lift up my granddaughter Julie who is struggling in school.
Prayers from Onesimus Ministries
- Blessings of continued strength, endurance, compassion, and wisdom for God’s hands and feet in Chester County Prison – Chaplain Rhonda and Chaplain Heinrich, that they would continue to bless many residents, staff, and family members connected to the prison.
- For speedy recovery and healing for inmates, staff, and their family members suffering with illness or disease.
- For peace among the prison population and among the staff.
- For churches in Chester County (and beyond!) to be drawn to partner with aftercare programs designed to help disciple ex-offenders, building upon progress made in prison, and help them take positive steps toward reintegration to society.
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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