Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As can happen on occasion, the prison was on lockdown last night, and that means all available staff are focused on the security situation causing the lockdown. Unfortunately, it also means that regular programming like church services are suspended. Please pray for the immediate safety of both staff and inmates at the prison, and that the matter is resolved quickly (if it isn’t already).
It was my week to bring the message, and I was prepared to teach through chapters 1 and 2 in the book of James. It’s one of my favorite books of the Bible. I love how James calls all Christians to action, particularly in James 1:22
New International Version
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
New Living Translation
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
English Standard Version
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
New American Standard Bible
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.
Amplified Bible
But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].
Contemporary English Version
Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it.
International Standard Version
Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves.
Various translations bring forth nuances, but the message is clear – we must act on what we believe. God grants us the faith to follow Him, and James emphasizes that a genuine faith will produce good works.
I was raised in a church that had it backwards – if we do lots of good things, God will be pleased and we will find favor with Him. It’s called “works righteousness” and couldn’t be further from the truth. That’s what the Jews believed – following the law can make you righteous. Jesus, and then His apostles had something very different to say – we can’t do it on our own and need a savior.
God first and foremost wants a relationship with His children. Then out of our gratitude for His amazing love and all He’s done (and continues to do) for us, we WANT to do good works, and we WANT to do His will. According to James, that’s what a genuine faith produces.
So I didn’t get to share it with the men, but you just got the essence of my message. And as far as prayer requests, I do have some to share this week. In addition to Monday nights, I also serve in the prison chapel on Thursday afternoons, as well as some one-on-one counseling sessions with inmates. We have a shorter list this week, but it still comes from the same place.
Note: These weekly prayer request emails are all posted to the Onesimus website, so you can always find prayer requests from previous weeks at https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/
As aways, we appreciate your partnership in this ministry, and the time you spend lifting up in prayer the men and women in prison and their families, the prison staff and their families, and our awesome chaplains. May God bless your week in wonderful ways!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from Thursday 12:00 service:
- Jeffrey– for my family.
- Michael– for my release from this place – it was supposed to be today.
- Clarence– for my Mom and for my Aunt.
- Gene– my family.
- Keith– my court date on the 17th, and the wellbeing of my family.
Prayers from Chaplain Rhonda (and Chaplain Heinrich)
- Prayers for softened hearts and open ears for the men and women are always needed and welcomed.
- Prayer that we will soon be allowed to expand our chaplaincy schedule in order to be able to offer more services and Bible study times.
- Prayer for continued energy, strength, and refreshing from the Lord for Heinrich and me.
Prayers from Onesimus Prison Ministries
- For my friend’s son Daniel (19) in Chester County prison, pray for his heart transformation.
- For Phil’s pastor’s son Luke, recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer of the appendix that requires a rather tortuous treatment. Pray for healing and for the whole family.
- For wisdom that each inmate who hears a Biblical message or reads their Bible would understand and know what to do with what they heard or read.
- For each released woman and man to continue the journey of faith they began/restarted while in prison, and not be afraid to seek help from an aftercare ministry or local church.
- Prayers of blessing for new leaders and the entire staff at Chester County Prison and their families.
- Pray for staff shortage at the prison, that God would supply quality workers who have a heart for Him.
- Pray for the protection and provision for the Aftercare ministries serving women and men released from Chester County prison.
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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