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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Holy Week, we reflect on the events between Jesus being hailed during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem all the way through His crucifixion on Good Friday. The Passion of Christ, as we call it, may sound strange to those hearing it the first time – How could crowds follow Him, witness His miracles, hear His teachings, celebrate His coming with palm branches, then in a few short days demand His execution? I imagine it was a confusing time in Jerusalem. Religious leaders maintained their powerful status and control, yet the teachings of Jesus made such sense, spoken with such authority.
Jesus once asked his disciples, “Who do the crowds say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” (Luke 9.18-19)
Coupled with belief the Messiah King would come in power to usher in His Kingdom, there must have been such confusion of who Jesus really was and what He was going to do. Of course the events of Holy week were ordained by God to happen the way they did, I just imagine the level of uncertainty and confusion for so many in the crowds.
Do we see similar levels of confusion in our world today about who Jesus is and what He is all about? I’d say so. The truth seems so elusive, and can really only be found in one place – the Word of God. Every week in the prison we share from God’s Word and point to it as the only source of real truth. And it all points to Jesus who said of Himself “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14.6) This week, may we all marinate and meditate on the absolute Truth who is our Savior King, as we anticipate celebrating His resurrection this coming Sunday. Be blessed my friends!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):
- Andy– my need for patience and greater love.
- Eugene– all of us to mature in love towards Him and others, and experience transformation through renewing of our minds.
- Kenneth– patience, understanding, and a forgiving heart especially towards my family. For my girl and kids to have forgiveness and understand my standing up for the truth and not just taking a deal to get home sooner. Help us all learn the lessons the Lord is teaching us and get me home. Help me to let go and let God’s will be done in my life.
- Manuel– family.
- Javier– family.
- Kenny– having serious sciatic nerve pain in hip and lower right side, currently unable to work, and they upped my meds. Pray they can figure out what’s going on and what’s next. If no longer able to work, could get moved to Work Release Center in 2 weeks. My friend Sophie moved into an apartment, pray she is happy in her own space now. Pray for family and friends to all be doing well, that my time continues to go smooth and fast, and everyone gets a 2nd chance through Jesus.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- John– God bring us all home.
- Ross– 12 days until time maxxed out [must be released], need a place to live – Elwyn did not accept me. Pray for all the court dates for these guys, and everything to go good for us. Also praying for family of women in situation [I didn’t catch details, but God knows them].
- Phil T– my son-in-law (Alan) up for a big promotion, told him I’d pray for him, and I pray that would open other opportunities to witness to him, especially if he gets it.
- Jon– upcoming court dates, peace in war-torn places like Ukraine, God please show us your mercy and let us go home. Prayer of thanks for the volunteers coming each week to worship with us and share with us. God help us put on full armor of God, especially when we get out of this place, and renew our minds.
- Dave– be reunited at home with my family, they are having tough time.
- Jim M– for my 5 grandchildren and their salvation, and salvation of everyone in this place.
- Dan T– volunteer Erwin very sick, suffering with viral bronchitis for last 2 weeks – prayers for quick healing and full recovery.
- Jose G– everyone here to know Christ, and when released to find a Biblical church and fellowship with brothers in Christ. Praise that my son and his family have made decision to move back east from Colorado with their new child – answered prayer of us as new grandparents. Pray they can sell house quickly and find a nice house here.
- Dan T– my brother-in-law to accept Christ, and more opportunities to witness to him.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Kevin– all goes well in court and I get to go home tomorrow and see kids, son, and Mom. To stay close to God.
- Donny– my family, my son is going to court this month-pray things turn out well.
- Luis– family, wife, mother, brother, sister.
- Javier– wife, son, family, court tomorrow, everyone here.
- José– family, brother, wife.
- Raheem– my grandmother’s on dialysis, and my fiancé.
- Jeremiah– my children, and for God to restore broken relationships.
- Martin– court date on 22nd, hope to see my church this Saturday.
- Aaron– family, peace and strength.
- Hadeem– the staff.
- Frank– family.
- Denny– family, continued growth spiritually, I’m 10 months sober.
- Todd– family, all the families represented here, and for [friend/relative – didn’t catch details] who died.
- Will– men and women still suffering with diseases and addictions, and the children born into it, and for my family.
- Isaiah– family, friends, loved ones, my court date to go well, and safe transfer in a week.
- Louis– my daughter.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For final organizing and for plentiful attendance at our first Prison Ministry Benefit Concert on May 16 at Grace Covenant Church in Exton.
- Blessings of strength and wisdom for prison Chaplains – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack – and their families.
- Hearts filled with the joy of the Lord for all the volunteers, serving in the prison and behind the scenes.
- God’s love and peace for Prison Staff and Leadership, especially those new to the job or in new positions, and their families.
- That God would make a way of resolution to staffing issues (hiring, turnover) at Chester County Prison.
- Spiritual wellbeing of every inmate and their family, who are also “doing time”.
- Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations across Chester county to have all they need to effectively minister to inmates integrating back into 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.
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