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My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Not surprisingly, holidays hit hard in prison. I forgot just how much until 2nd service last night when most of the prayer requests mentioned it. Many of us know how it feels to be away from family for a short time, and some of us military folks know the experience over extended periods of time – it stinks. We had a pretty good idea when the separation would be over, and once you “see the light at the end of the tunnel”, it gets easier to tough it out. Conversely, most inmates have no idea when they’ll rejoin loved ones. I imagine that to be exceedingly difficult.
The past few weeks we’ve really encouraged the men to not be consumed with present circumstances, but focus on the long game. We encourage them to look up instead of down, like Psalm 121 says, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” We remind them (and us) how everything in this life is temporary, but our faith and our God are eternal. We need to refocus on the best things. As Paul told the Philippian church, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4.8)
Thank you all for spending time each week prayerfully focused on prison staff, inmates, their families, and their prayer requests. Blessing them in that way is one of the best gifts you can give this Christmas. God bless you!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):x
- Kenny– going after a job in the Work Release Center on the Farm Crew, process takes about a month. I’m thankful for the maintenance job I have, it makes the time go quickly. My Mom has a new job. My girlfriend cheated on me and is no longer my girl. Dad told me how the only true friends are the ones who stayed in contact with me. Looking forward to my Dad and Grandpa visiting next week. Pray for family and friends, especially Jimmy and Frances, and for my time to keep going smoothly and fast.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- John– that God would return us to our families soon. Last week we prayed for my ex-wife’s mental issues and she turned a corner because of the prayers.
- Josh– I have court on Friday, and I’m getting tired of praising the Lord with you guys and would rather be doing it at home. (said with a smile)
- Ron– give it another try, been praying it for weeks – pray I can get back up state soon. (We also prayed for the Lord to show him if there’s a reason he’s still here, and what he can do about it).
- John– for people to keep their spirits up with the holidays approaching, for all the court dates coming up – God forgives us, help us restore all the relationships impacted by my actions. And to take God seriously, especially when out of here, so we don’t end up back in here.
- Brian– to get my relationships back, and for a better future for myself.
- Kyle– my immediate family, my daughter (12), and my Mom – it’s her birthday today.
- Ivan– for world peace.
- Phil T– for a young family I know – the Dad just lost his job.
- Jose– for Andy Duncan to experience healing from his covid, and salvation for everyone in Chester County prison.
- Dan T– for my “ongoing project”- my brother in law dodged a lunch date with me, pray for opportunity to witness to my brother-in-law and that he would see the light and accept Christ.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Jeremiah– for my children and my sister Aneeka with stage 4 cancer.
- Earnest– pray my family can have a good holiday. I’m in a dark place right now, struggling in my faith and with my addiction. I know God is working in my heart.
- Morgan– for everyone who can’t be with family for the holidays, especially with the kids. Also want to pray for my sister blessed with twins, that they stay healthy through a normal pregnancy – last time she carried twins and lost 1 late in the pregnancy.
- Joey– for everyone to keep their heads up in here.
- Donny– my church back home is taking care of the house and stuff, pray for my daughter and granddaughter, and my heart issues still have not been figured out.
- Rick C– for our brother Andy home with covid – quick recovery and mild symptoms.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Our wonderful chaplains – Jack, Rhonda, and Heinrich – as they minister through the holiday season.
- Prison staff and leadership – all the issues they must deal with, compounded by staff shortages and high turnover. Also pray for their families that support them.
- Male and female Inmates, incarcerated youth, and their families – all doing time.
- Chaplaincy and religious programs at CCP – continued strong programs, looked upon with favor and seen as value-add by prison leadership.
- Ministry Volunteers – continue to bless them and provide additional opportunities in the prison schedule.
- Aftercare ministries – to have all they need to minister effectively to released inmates, and for all their clients to find true satisfaction in pursuit of our Lord and Savior Jesus 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.
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