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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Are we truly aware of those around us and what they may be going through? Or are we consumed with what’s going on in our own life, what’s impacting us, how busy we are, etc, etc, etc. Our focus reveals our heart. I’ll admit I’m often focused on me and all the things I have going on. But aren’t we called to be other-focused? What’s that Philippians verse I memorized many years ago?
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Look not only to your own interests but the interests of others, and in every relationship have the very attitude of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 2:3-5, typed from memory – honest!)
So much pain, loneliness, anxiety, and frustration in all our lives, and we’re called to look beyond ourselves to help others deal with their stuff? Yup, that’s called love, and every Christian is commanded to love others the way God loves us. Wow – impossible in our own strength, right? Right! Besides obedience, He’s teaching us to depend on Him. Do we trust that our own stuff will be taken care of if we are focused on others?
Jesus said “Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Mat 6:33)
Nobody said it would be easy – It’s a change in lifestyle. The true Christian lifestyle. We all fall short, and He knows that, but He wants us to experience what He can do through us if we let Him. I’ve heard it said the only ability God wants is your availability. We are all so thankful for each of you making yourselves available to pray for these men and their requests each week. I wish you could see their faces each week when we tell them how many people are praying for them all week long. What you’re doing for them touches their spirit. This is important work – thank you for serving!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service):
- Nicolas– family
- Christopher– my wife Jennifer is in the hospital, dying of liver failure – pray for my family and kids.
- Al– to get out soon to take care of my son, and girlfriend Nina has congestive heart failure.
- Shaun– for all the men in here, and my kids.
- Manuel– for my family, wife Adriana and daughter Sofia, and more patience.
- Edison– family
- Diego– my fiance Esmerelda and my daughter Melina, and my mom.
- Juan– for my family and all of us in here.
- Carlos– for my family and my court date.
- Edgar– my family, my court date, my brothers, and my friends.
- Jairo– family, freedom for the inmates.
- Scott– world peace.
- Roland– for God to instill in the inmates Joshua 1:9 – be strong and courageous.
- Andy– for opportunities to share the Gospel with neighbors.
- Eugene– my niece Shamona had ankle surgery on Monday and has not woken up from anesthesia – she’s been in a coma ever since.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Jonathan– forgiveness, God guide me as I’m headed to state prison, and for my grandmom.
- Brandon– my friend Chris got out today, for him and others who left I hope they are all OK. And for Julius who is still on restriction.
- Troy– for my entire family (they are not saved, please pray for them), for my wife Beth, my daughter Lexus, and my other kids Stephanie and Tyson. I pray that when we leave here, we stay with God.
- Jose G– for our volunteer brother Jim, just out of the hospital, praying for best results on biopsy after his colon cancer surgery. And for all the people in this facility to know Christ.
- Avery– sentencing this week for 1 of 3 charges, praying for leniency and understanding, I need to take care of my son. Also, may there be unity among us here in the prison, and with our families.
- Cody– I pray that we would not miss anything (in God’s Word).
- Ariel– for understanding, love, a better place to be together as brothers and family, and no more war.
- Andy L– for Jim’s quick recovery from surgery and he can get back with us soon.
- Ryan– for my cellmate to find Christ, to restore peace in his heart.
- Erwin– my sister Elwyn with cancer, and for Dan’s strength in delivering the message tonight (his cancer meds are wiping out his strength).
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service):
- Joe– for those with mental health issues to find peace.
- Sully– family
- Jeff– for the lost, and the homeless.
- Robert– happiness, good spirits, my father, safe travels for friends and family.
- Merlin– God please strengthen my faith.
- Barry– for my girlfriend to stay clean, and my daughter listen to her grandmother.
- Kevin– wife Brianna, for our relationship to grow stronger, for my strength, that we can get a house, and that my family stays on the right path – I really need my family.
- Jason– everything good for people, and that things work out for me, I’m getting out of here on Friday, moving to another prison.
- Ryan– for my brother Tom in rehab.
- Shane– for all the guys in here, for wisdom, and my kids to know God.
- Andy– for the opportunity to share the Gospel with my neighbors.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- All the Volunteers ministering to inmates at Chester County Prison.
- 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.
- The Families supporting each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- Onesimus Ministries Board of Directors, and our new board members.
- The Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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