Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are encouraged by increasing numbers of inmates coming out to both church services on Monday nights. Pray that attendees would be inspired to invite even more of the guys on the cell block to join them, and the Spirit would move hearts. As always, the ministry team stands ready to be God’s hands and feet to serve whoever He puts in our path.
Last night’s prayer time began with Psalm 1:
Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with scoffers.
But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants;
day and night they think about His law.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season without fail.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
But this is not true of the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
In 1st service, Andy L quizzed the men on our greatest enemies. Fear, worry, anxiety, desires, and pride topped the list – all rooted in Satan’s ongoing war against Jesus. People continually fall for his wicked schemes, but God is all powerful and prevails through every situation the devil thinks he’s won. From original sin, to Noah’s day, to Daniel in the lion’s den, to Jonah running away, to Saul persecuting the church – God turned each one around for His glory. He takes every disaster and makes something good out of it – including our lives – but giving our heart to Him isn’t the end. He wants disciples of Jesus! We have one life to live, and must decide who’s team we’re on, then suit up and get into the battle!
Andy D based his 2nd service message on Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” He used several illustrations, such as withholding food and water for a sick pet going in for digestive ultrasound, and the story of Job to emphasize how the servant doesn’t often see or understand what the Master is doing, but we must trust in His love and mercy that the right things will happen. God doesn’t react to sinners as we would, because it’s not about us or what we’ve done (good or bad), it’s about what Jesus already did for us. He offers grace and salvation that all would be saved.
I get to hear several good messages each week, and am inspired to share them with all of you. Thanks as always for your partnership in this ministry as we jointly lift up all the men and women connected to Chester County Prison, their families, and the prayer requests below. God bless your week!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm service):
- Ken– things we’re grateful for, family and friends, and for guidance.
- Sam– Forgiveness of sin, and very thankful to be able to come out to church tonight.
- Eric– special dedication to the Lord of Hosts to get me out of this tabernacle room.
- Mike– for world leaders who have lost their way.
- James– my wife is struggling financially and received an eviction notice for her and the kids.
- Eric– for a nice paying job when I get out of here, and for a nice girlfriend.
- Miguel– for the health and prosperity of our children.
- Dan T– for my brother-in-law to finally let go and accept Christ.
- Phil T– to end the wave of antisemitism that has flooded our country and the world.
- Eric– for Dan’s full recovery from cancer treatments.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm service)
- Craig– for the sick and shut-ins, my family at large, and a softened heart for Judge Taylor Smith on reconsideration of my sentence where she wants to add 6 months.
- Martin– strength, family, those of us going through addiction and recovery, and for my grandmother who is 97.
- Jeremiah– for family, my significant other, and friends.
- Mike– for my son and daughter in the absence of a father, and for their mother who doesn’t know Jesus. Pray that all goes well with my preliminary hearing. Thanks for the volunteers bringing the message each week. Pray for all the inmates not in church tonight, that they would have favorable outcomes to their troubles, and for the Lord’s will to be done in my life.
- Matt R– for coworker Shaun and wife Megan headed to NY for her late stage cancer treatment (last week’s appointment was canceled) – strength and healing for Megan. Healing for my friend Aaron in active addiction, and for all those locked up here to have wisdom and God’s strength in the face of temptation.
- Andy D– continued recovery for my friend Herb in Paoli hospital (brain bleed/damage). He’s gone from coma and ventilator to awake and speaking a few words- the Lord is definitely doing something here.
- Rick C– for all the folks in Southeast Texas affected by flooding and tornadoes. And for a young lady I met during bike blessing event at motorcycle club in Reading, that Jesus would reveal himself to her and grant her wisdom to end the confusion of her situation and mixed beliefs.
Prayers from Onesimus Prison Ministries
- Healing mercies for Pastor Jack Crans.
- Our Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich.
- Warden Holland, his leadership team, and the staff at Chester County Prison
- Families connected with inmates and staff at the prison.
- Health, wisdom, and compassion for inmates and staff.
- Aftercare ministries in 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.
These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/
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