[To view in a browser, visit this Link]
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Ever had God drop a nugget of wisdom on you when you’re driving? It happened to me yesterday on my way home. I was thinking about a bunch of things that haven’t been going as expected lately, and was wondering about God’s will. How often does it feel like a guessing game trying to figure it out? We often pray, “Lord, if it’s your will, let [this thing or that thing] happen”. We try one thing that looks good, and if that doesn’t work out, I guess it wasn’t God’s will so let’s try the next thing. Trial and error, over and over. How are we supposed to know God’s will?
Then a thought as if someone spoke it directly into my brain – “spend more time with me.” That’s how we will know His will – by spending more time with Him, in His Word, in His presence, getting to know Him, becoming more like Him. It’s not instant (although we’d like it to be), it’s a lifelong ongoing process, and it must be intentional. We are made in His image, and His will is that we become like Him, and invite others to do the same. So simple, yet so profound.
One way we can be more like Him is to do the things He taught us, like praying for one another. Thank you for becoming our prayer warriors, lifting up our chaplains, volunteers, and all the men and women at Chester County Prison each week. You’re looking more like Him every week!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):
- Eugene– continued healing from wrist surgery.
- Hypolite– my mother.
- Kenneth– for strength, and protect my mental health.
- Kenny– [didn’t get to meet this week due to system issues inside the prison. Pray for resolution to any and all system issues preventing counseling sessions. Pray for all the inmates desiring 1-on-1 sessions to be able to interact with those they seek.]
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- John– that God will bring us all home soon. Also for patience, and for our court dates.
- Demonta– for everyone’s decision making [wisdom].
- Jon– all our families, for protection, that our President would be a godly man, that we can all keep the faith, and for all the victims of tragedy (like wildfires, floods, and wars). Also pray for strength, understanding, knowledge, and wisdom.
- Rick C– for the Ricci family at my church on the loss of Sandi Ricci, a sister in Christ. And for our brother Jim recovering from heart surgery, may he heal up quick.
- Dan T– for my brother-in-law to be receptive to the Gospel message, and for Chester County Prison to keep allowing us to come in for years to come.
- Mackey– for the court system
- Andy L– for all the men here not told what’s going on with their case – it’s very frustrating to be kept in the dark.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Daren– to be released on time.
- Zack– for a good outcome to my court case.
- Mike– I have court this week, pray that my loved ones are being watched over – Caroline, Wayne, and the whole house.
- Donny– for Aunt Janet with stage 4 cancer, for family, especially my grandkids. Praise that my heart tests came back good, although I have slight diabetes and borderline high blood pressure.
- Jeremiah– for my sister Temeeka, and for fairness.
- Logan– for opportunity to practice faith out in the free world, and to see our families as soon as possible.
- Elijah– for family and a better life outside of here.
- Ryan– my son’s friend Andrew (17) was thrown out of his house and his father just got out of prison – he’s never met him. Father suffering with addiction, pray for reconciliation and blessing upon the family, that all would work out, and to understand how do I help out – give me wisdom.
- Antonio– court date tomorrow, want to go home to my wife and kids, please take care of my family.
- Joe– my family.
- Andy D– meeting with a friend who has stage 4 cancer next week and doesn’t know the Lord- give me wisdom and lead me by your Spirit in this divine appointment.
- Matt R– strengthen my wife’s relationship with the Lord, and help me share the Gospel with her.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Our upcoming Prison Ministry Benefit Breakfast on March 1 to be successful (details on website, link below).
- Our prison Chaplains – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack, and their families.
- Our ministry volunteers serving inside and outside the prison, and those waiting to serve.
- The prison staff, especially those in leadership, and their families.
- Staffing issues (shortage, retention, etc) impacting opportunities for more volunteers to serve inside the prison.
- All the incarcerated women and men, and their families.
- Aftercare ministries and other support organizations across Chester County that minister to men and women released from prison.
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.
If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.
