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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It’s a really big deal to God that we love one another and take care of each other. The New Testament is chock full of verses telling us to love each other. Jesus Himself put it right up there behind loving God with our whole being. It’s the true mark of following Jesus. Like He said in John 13.35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.“
We often hear from the men how they look after one another back on the cell block, but we actually got to see it during the services last night in the prison Chapel. During prayer request time, and again during testimony time, when one man related something difficult, other men came alongside him in support. I was so encouraged. Here we were, in the middle of a facility filled with criminals, witnessing the family of God in action.
God is in the hearts of believers everywhere. We know these words to be true, yet it’s great to see it in action, even in the most unlikely places. Most of us assume prison spaces to be marked by loners, every man for himself, where the strongest survive. Cramming a bunch of men into prison cells would tend to bring out the worst in us. To see community and support among followers of Christ in such a place is refreshing indeed.
We’re thankful to each of you praying for the men in that community. As we saw last night, your prayers can have a profound effect on the men, which can then affect other men. Keep up the good work, lifting up the inmates, chaplains, staff, and volunteers before the throne of grace. Our heavenly Father is definitely at work in the hearts of His children. God bless your week!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service):
- Shaun– for my children to be OK, and for everyone in here. I was just sentenced and am depressed – it was more than I was expecting.
- Blair– for my kids and my Mom.
- PJ– to have better contact with my oldest son – heal our relationship. Also looking for peace and physical healing of my body.
- Manuel– my family, court date next Monday, waiting for good news.
- Juan– family and everyone in here.
- Diego– my fiance Miranda, my daughter Melina, and my Mom who’s having car trouble and been back to the mechanic several times. Also for peace.
- Edgar– family, my court date May 4, and all my friends.
- Carlos– familia.
- Zack– to learn how to pray.
- Damon– my sister Kelly is missing, they found her car but no sign of her – I’m going crazy over this and ready to explode.
- Joe– for my Mom (92) taking care of herself because I’m here, and for my best friend Kelly to stay safe.
- Andy D– for God’s grace, that we can walk by the Spirit and not in the flesh.
- Eugene– for Jesus pop-up rally in Allentown on Saturday- for folks to get saved, healed, and delivered and may Jesus be glorified.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Carl– had my court date today and got good news – being released to the VA, not sure when. Pray that it’s soon and I just want to trust in God’s plan and have peace.
- Phil T– for volunteer Jim’s upcoming cancer surgery next Monday. And for our president and government leaders to seek God’s wisdom, especially around the war with Iran.
- Jonathan– my family, my Grandmother, and forgiveness.
- Troy– for my wife who is completely stressed out right now, for my entire family, for my daughter Lexus, and for the Hayes family on the loss of their daughter Danielle. Thankful for my brother (75) who’s heart was failing, but God made it stronger.
- Delron– for all the men here, that we wouldn’t give up on ourselves. My court date on May 4, pray I can get released. For my father who is dying and has Alzheimer’s. Thankful for the volunteers who could be anywhere else but come in to be with us.
- Tim– waiting for my case in NJ to be settled. For my future, which was looking good but bad things keep getting in the way. Help in controlling my temper and I feel all alone.
- Brandon– our brother Jules is on restriction (in the hole) for 30 days- hope he stays well physically, mentally, and spiritually. May there be peace on the cell block- things have been getting hectic lately- may it calm down among both the inmates and CO’s.
- Jose G– for the salvation of every soul in the prison facility.
- Andy L– my neighbor Rhonda is dying from kidney failure and no transplants available.
- Dan T– thank the Lord for taking good care of me.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service):
- JJ – pray for men in the room/prison + his son Josh + that he and Josh would make the next right decision
- Ryan – pray he would be reunited with his 1 year old daughter + direction and guidance
- Rob – for family, friends, and happiness
- Dave – for other people’s salvation , his kids, grandparents, and his sentencing
- Josh – for understanding, his kids (11 year old girls)
- Justin – His father who is in the hospital and for his time the next couple weeks (for a positive outcome)
- Jason – men in the room would draw closer to God and his hearing on the 27th
- Ryan – girlfriend, son, family, and his court date on Wed 4/29
- Azon – he said “pass” on the prayer request, but please pray for his heart and that he would see God in a new way
- Eric – men in the room, his court date, and that he would be on the right path (and for understanding)
- Sullied – he asked to pray for the new kid in intake and that he would get a good celly
- Louis – for the people here
- Jeff – for the lost, sick, and needed and that he/they would draw closer to God
- Troy – For his son and daughter in-law to have a healthy baby. His son Zack and wife Emily would find fellowship in the area
- Merrilyn – for his wife and daughter while he is in prison (that God would provide)
- Phil – for patience, family, dog, wife
- Art – family and his situation
- Andy – for Matt R’s father in-law
- Shane – his marriage and understanding.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- 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, heading chaplaincy at Chester County Prison, and for the prison leaders within his mission field, and his personal strength and healing from cancer.
- Volunteers ministering to inmates at Chester County Prison.
- Families supporting each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- Onesimus Ministries Board of Directors, clarity on mission, and integration of new board members.
- The Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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