My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A former mentor in the Air Force once told me, “whenever you hear about a
retirement ceremony, Go! Because when it’s your turn, you hope people will
show up”. Military retirement ceremonies are as much about shared
dedication to our country as they are about the individual who is retiring.
They are a big deal, and it means a lot to the family who sacrificed to get
there.
I’ve always taken Col Thomas’ advice to heart, not for self-serving reasons,
but because it’s the right thing to do. You may never know the full impact
to a person’s life from just showing up. Look at Job’s friends – before all
the chit chat, they showed up to just sit with their friend in his grief.
Showing up says you care, and says to that person “you matter and are
loved.” Isn’t that what God calls us to do? “Love one another as I have
loved you” (Jn 13.34) Showing up says I love you without using words.
And It’s not just retirement ceremonies. It’s funerals, weddings, and
graduations. Anything that marks a significant point in someone’s life. I
recently attended a small graduation of a Christian brother receiving a
ministry degree after four years of part-time study while working full time.
His school specialized in distance learning, so he was the only graduate at
the ceremony. His pastor, his youngest daughter and her child were the only
attendees besides me and another Christian brother who serves with our
graduating friend. I was blessed by going and being part of this milestone
in his life, and I imagine it meant the world to him that a few brothers
took time out to travel there and support him.
That’s the impact we can have, and it’s not hard to do. Thank you all for
the impact you make every day and every week by dedicating some of your time
to pray for these requests and the inmates they came from. God bless you
for “showing up.”
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1
sessions):
* Manuel- June 16 court date.
* Javier- family.
* Chris- that we all walk more in faith. My daughter (Stormy)
graduates from preschool tomorrow. Peace and blessings.
* Roland- my wife Deb cracked her pelvis in a fall.
* Andy- to get better from this bronchitis, and for my sister-in-law
struggling with physical and emotional challenges, pray she follows through
and gets the help she needs, and ultimately finds Jesus.
* Jack- my uncle in Montana passed away 2 days ago from a stroke – he
was a priest. My grandmom Janet has been in the hospital 8 days, and is
making a recovery – she is noticeably better. For the Lord to teach me and
help me learn the lessons I need so I can get back to my family.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
* Rick C- for team leader Dan undergoing daily radiation treatments
for his prostate cancer. Out tonight because they drain his energy, last
treatment for this round is tomorrow. Pray for complete healing.
* Michael- my Mother is pushing 80 and is in OK health, but stressed
out because of my incarceration- pray for her patience and peace so I can
see her again.
* Brian- my Mom is in the hospital for surgery on a stomach blockage –
pray it’s not cancer. I want to be able to see her again.
* Smitty- thankful for City Team who helped me out a few months ago.
* Joseph- for all the brothers in here to push hard and run the race
to win the crown – get into the Word and be praying – it’s no game. For us
to live lives that witness to God’s power. And praise the Lord I’ll be going
home Wednesday.
* Zier- court date on June 23, I wish the best outcome for me and all
other court dates.
* Tim- for my family- we lost my Dad a few months ago while I was in
here. Strength for them, plus my court date in a few weeks- pray this new
trial will turn out better.
* Jon- having a weird day today, pray it gets better. God please
forgive the hatred in my heart for being wrongly harassed right before
church tonight.
* Timothy- family and friends. I want to go home. Also for Jon who
was sent to state prison last week.
* Phil T- for Nicole’s procedure Thursday to take care of her
infertility, so she and Andre can conceive. Also for my granddaughter
Juliette that I witnessed to yesterday, may she accept Christ in her heart.
* Jim M- for Erwin’s wife (Rena) to have relief from pain and full
healing from pinched nerve and arthritis in her lower back.
* Jose- for Anna (14) dealing with mental health issues and has become
suicidal- may the Holy Spirit of God breakthrough the fog and fill her heart
with the love of Christ that she will know how much God loves her. Also
pray for salvation of all people in Chester County Prison.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
* Matt R- my in-laws not doing well. Father-in-law in University of
Penn hospital.
* Rick C- healing for my son Kyle still dealing with kidney stones.
* Kevin- for everyone seeing a judge this week to get a fair shake in
their cases, for my friend (Will) to persevere once he’s released from here-
stay on the path. For my youngest daughter who just graduated and is going
to Germany- pray for safety and a covering on her life. And for all the
sick and shut-ins.
* Mark- my kids, and that my court case this week not get postponed
again and that it goes well.
* Frank- my Mother had heart failure- I hope I’ll be able to see her
again. My Uncle and his brother both have colon cancer. And pray for
improvements to this messed up justice system.
* Sam- my boss on the outside has stage 3 bladder cancer and his
treatment starts today- pray for his full healing.
* James- all of our families and our kids- it’s hard on them when
we’re not there, pray for their protection.
* Vince- for my girlfriend Amanda. And for my Dad and my Aunt having a
hard time with my grandmother’s Alzheimer’s.
* Josh- thanks for the volunteers out here each week, and for all of
us to do something positive with the experience of being here, and that we
never come back.
* Bill- for my 4 month old daughter and her mom Nicole.
* Kevin- for everyone in here, please keep our loved ones safe.
* Andy D- for Dan’s healing from prostate cancer and strength for the
treatments that are wiping him out.
Female Inmate Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda
* E.D. – so many things going on in her life right now; she needs
God’s direction and guidance; also please pray for His Peace for her
* A.G. – wanting to draw closer to God, but struggling with hurts
from the past; please pray for the Lord to work in her heart
* D.S. & R.B. – they are ‘married’ and seeking God’s help with their
lives; both very sweet, hurting and confused women; please pray for clarity
and direction from the Lord for them
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
* Chaplain Heinrich’s sister (60) died suddenly, please pray for
Heinrich’s Mom, and his sister’s husband and child.
* For our chaplains ministering in the prison every week- Jack,
Rhonda, and Heinrich, and their families.
* For the many prison ministry volunteers, both inside and outside the
prison.
* For all the staff and leadership within the Prison, and their
families.
* For the inmates and their families, who are also “doing time”.
* For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations
taking care of men and women released from prison, helping them reintegrate
as productive members of our communities.
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
<mailto:outreach@onesimusministries.org> .
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