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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Walking through my neighborhood, Spring is in full bloom – life returns to our bleak landscape – reminding me of the new life Christ offers each of us. We just celebrated on Sunday the most significant event in history – the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, proving beyond a doubt He was exactly who He said He was, and everything He said was true. Did you know Christianity is the only world religion whose leader died and rose again, and now lives! The Bible records how he was seen by over 500 people after His resurrection (1 Cor 15.6) before He ascended bodily to heaven, and now our Savior, King, and friend sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us (Romans 8.34). What a wonderful circumstance!
As I type these words, I can see flowering trees across the street dancing in the breeze – so beautiful. When I partake of nature’s beauty in our fallen world, it’s hard to imagine how much more beautiful it will be in the new Heaven and Earth promised in God’s Word. How can we not want to share promises like that with everyone in our life? We all know people we suspect are not walking with the Lord, and must pray for boldness to tell them how God loves them so much He sent His son to die for them, so they could be in paradise with Him forever (versus the alternative!)
I pray you all had a wonderful Easter. Thank you for praying faithfully for all aspects of prison ministry at Chester County Prison – the chaplains, staff, inmates, and volunteers – and of course all the families. You are a blessing to so many, and I hope you are truly blessed in return. Have a wonderful spring day!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):
- Manuel– my family.
- Kenneth– for my next hearing, I need some good news. And for Jack Crans’ health.
- Kenny– sciatic pain getting better, only bad in the mornings. Able to work again and not getting moved to Work Release Center. Only 38 days left, and my Dad has made all the required adjustments to the house for my return. It’s gun free and he just wants his son to come home. My good friend Sophie is doing well, and I pray my other friends like Jimmie and Frances are doing ok. I pray for my family, and that my time goes smooth and fast. And that everyone gets a second chance with Jesus.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Rick C– For our catholic brothers and sisters mourning the death of Pope Francis, we pray that no one would put their trust in any one man but rather trust in Christ alone, He alone is worthy of all our praise!
- John– God bring us all home to see our families.
- Ross– this is my last week, I pray for everyone in here that they all have a good journey especially when they get out.
- José– family, friends, freedom.
- Jon– for my family, kids, world peace, perseverance, strength, and power – let none of us lose faith. Also pray for volunteers coming out each week, and even on Easter, pray God would protect them and get them home safe.
- Jim M– for my son and my grandson.
- Dan T– my brother-in-law was just diagnosed with a terminal Alzheimer’s-like condition, and time is running out. Pray now more than ever he would be receptive to the Good News and pray God provides the right opportunity.
- Rick C– for our brother Dan who spent Thursday night in cardiac unit at Chester County Hospital, pray his heart stays strong and in rhythm without medication.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Rick C– For our catholic brothers and sisters mourning the death of Pope Francis, we pray that no one would put their trust in any one man but rather trust in Christ alone, He alone is worthy of all our praise!
- Jeremiah– for the volunteers coming out each week, for my children, and my sentencing hearing on Friday -praying for mercy and compassion.
- Mark– to have a good hearing tomorrow (Tue).
- Donny– for family and friends, and a good clean life when I get out of here. Also want to pray for a guy back on the block (Jeff) who has sentencing this Friday.
- Matt R– for the family and friends of a special needs student of mine, just 17 years old, who passed away last week.
- Andy D– my sister (Donna) didn’t make it out to church yesterday, pray that God opens doors for me to have a faith conversation with her.
- And we pray for all of our family members who aren’t walking with the Lord – that we may be so bold to share with them, and pray for their salvation.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For a great turnout at our first Prison Ministry Benefit Concert on May 16 at Grace Covenant Church in Exton, and for all the details to come together.
- For our wonderful prison Chaplains – Rhonda, Heinrich, Jack – and their families.
- For all the volunteers serving inside the prison and behind the scenes.
- For Prison Staff and Leadership, especially those new to the job or in new positions, and their families.
- For quick resolution of staffing issues (hiring, turnover) at Chester County Prison.
- For every inmate and their family members, who are also “doing time”.
- For the Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations across Chester county that minister to former 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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