[To view in a browser, visit this Link]
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Can you recall a time it’s been this cold this long? I can remember long bouts of bitter cold in my youth in Allentown, where our sled-riding could continue for days or even weeks after a snow with continued icy cold temps. Funny how our perspective changes as we mature – what was once a winter wonderland of fun is now painful and to be avoided at all costs. As we age, we tend to think more practically and dream less.
Maybe that’s why Jesus talked about having a childlike faith (Mt 18:3), and how the Kingdom of God belongs to children (Mt 19:14). He wants us to remember the awe and wonder of a relationship with our Heavenly Father, trusting Him with an innocent faith unjaded by the troubles and worries of this world. Have our hearts turned cold like the world around us? Or can people look at us and see our hope as a respite from the cold, cruel world?
One of the most personally challenging verses for me is 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect“. Can we recapture that childlike faith and hope, so that others can see it and we can share it? I know that’s what I want. We must ask ourselves – do we look up more than we look down?
Thank you all for looking up with the prayer requests each week, submitting them to the only One who hears and can do more than we can think or imagine – our glorious God. Your role in this ministry is crucial to its success, and we appreciate each and every prayer. Stay warm – spiritually as well as physically – and may God bless you in a powerful way this week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
PS. – Please join us at the Onesimus Benefit Breakfast coming up on Saturday, Feb 28, 9:00am at Waterway Church in Oxford. Breakfast is free, but reservations required. [click here] for registration and details.
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service):
- Shaun– for things to keep going smoothly with my sentencing, and for my kids.
- Kyle– for sanity and sobriety.
- Jerron– my fianc? Paige, a bail date, for peace, understanding, temperament, and patience with authority.
- Christian– for deliverance.
- Manuel– my family, and to find out what is going on with my situation. My daughter Sofia and my wife Adriana.
- Carlos– familia.
- Andy– unsaved family members.
- Roland/Eugene– for the homeless in this bitter cold to find shelter, warmth, food, and especially Jesus.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Ron– my stepson, I’m getting out next month and need to stay clean, and for everyone in here.
- Woody– I have a biopsy on my thyroid- hoping no cancer, will be getting gout soon.
- Jonathan– for my baby mom Riley, my baby mom Kaitlyn, my kids Keegan and Jameson, my grandmom, and my family.
- John– to calm down, I’ve tried calling my Mom, sister, brother-in-law, nobody answers. My Mom is 85, so I pray everyone is ok. Also prayers for my buddy Shaun who went home today.
- Julius– for all of us to get home to family, hoping for a court date soon, been here 5 months. Want to get home to family. Also for everyone suffering loss of loved one.
- Ryan– healing for my family going through a tough time with conflict.
- Mike– my wife Robin, daughter Hannah, sons Michael and Gavin.
- Troy– my wife (soon to be 41 years), daughter Lexis on the streets-pray for her sensibility and guidance, keep her safe. Love and safety for all our family members. My heart filled with sorrow for my Mom and Mother-in-law who both died within months of each other in the past year.
- Ryan#2– for my support group to get me out soon.
- Jose G– salvation for all the souls within this facility.
- Chuck– to get up state and get my program done so I can get home.
- Corey– good mental health for my family, especially my sister. I’ve always been the problem child, and lost confidence in 2/3 of the family.
- Jim M– praise the Lord for Dan’s brother-in-law we’ve prayed for last 2 years finally accepted Christ! Also pray for my son, and I pray for those twin babies- that all the expenses would be covered.
- Dan T– praising God for brother-in-law John now part of the family of God.
- Andy L– my pregnant neighbor due in days, docs say baby won’t live more than 5 days- we pray for a miracle and that baby to live a long, healthy life.
- Jermaine– my sister, my fianc?, my ex-wife, for anyone struggling, for my parents, for everyone’s mental health and court dates. Also for my anger issues- help me contain myself.
- Brandon– my Dad Earl, my brother Clarence on E-block, my baby brother Ricky having breathing problems.
- Phil T– praise God for great attendance tonight. For Rick and Robin’s dog situation (10-month old pup in hospital with double-pneumonia and sepsis). Pray for my wife in pain with broken collar bone. Praise for my daughter Morgan pregnant with a baby boy, and thanks for Joy’s twin babies- Ellie going home from hospital and Josie getting out of ICU.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service):
- Eric– family, strength to get through challenges, better understanding and follow the Lord
- Dustin– throw my case out in March because of new evidence, my girl in treatment and that she finds God, fellow inmates
- Dustin L– next 3 weeks here are my last, my family needs me home, everyone goes home ehn they’re supposed to
- John– release dates for everyone here, for my release to rehab, strength
- Frank– continued sobriety, my parents
- Dan– girlfriend to stop gambling, this is the last time I’m in jail
- Jason– court dates go well for everyone, all come to Jesus
- Jose– wife, kids, mother, father
- Olin– Jason’s release and his return to the community
- Claude– Joseph and his baby Saint Joseph
- David– my friend Debbie, heal her broken body/thyroid issue, her physical condition gets better over time
- Tyreak– hatred in my heart
- Johnny– my son and continued healing for my mom (neck surgery)
- Daniel– my wife Grace, upcoming court date and positive outcome, my release date Feb 19th, strength/wisdom to stay out of jail
- Matthew– men and women incarcerated, my mom, my father who passed away a few years ago
- Vincent– 93 year old mother’s health, brothers and sisters, my release date Feb 4th
- Andy– unsaved family members
- Matt R– Gerald and Cheryl’s health, Dubow family (put down their dog last night), unsaved family members
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Continued strength and healing for volunteers Dan and Bill, walking with God on their journey with cancer.
- Thanks for Waterway Church in Oxford, hosting our 2nd Annual Benefit Breakfast on Feb 28th.
- Chaplain Rhonda, and the female inmates and staff within her mission field.
- Chaplain Heinrich, and the male inmates and staff within his mission field.
- Chaplain Jack Crans, leading chaplaincy program at Chester County Prison, and for inmates and prison leaders within his mission field. Also personal strength and healing from cancer.
- Onesimus Ministries board of directors, and provision of some new members.
- Volunteers ministering to the inmates at Chester County Prison.
- Families supporting each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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.
