Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Things don’t always go as planned, and sometimes you don’t know what’s holding you back or why. How we react says a lot about our faith. Do we get anxious? Angry? Frustrated? Or do we wait upon the Lord, knowing all things are under His control, and that He works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). Last night we gathered at the prison entrance at our weekly appointed time, but nobody let us in. They know we’re there (many cameras), yet time elapsed and still no sign of anyone coming. 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, still nothing. Will we even have services tonight? As ambassadors of Christ, we waited patiently and simply wondered if something critical was going on inside. Finally, after waiting nearly 40 minutes we were let in, making sure to be kind and gracious to the officer processing us in, since we still got to be there to encourage the men with the Word and the love of God.
Even running woefully late, we always make time for scripture, and how appropriate that we began with Psalm 27:
Listen to my pleading, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Do not hide yourself from me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation!
Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.
Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the path of honesty,
for my enemies are waiting for me to fall.
Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
and breathe out violence against me.
Yet I am confident that I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. (Psalm 27:7-14)
In 1st service, Jose used Luke 18:9-14 to teach about the condition of our hearts, showing the huge difference between a self-righteous Pharisee and a humble repentant tax collector. At the root of self-righteousness we find pride, and Jesus said it’s the broken and contrite sinner who is justified before God. Jesus openly rebuked the religious leaders over and over for their legalistic hypocrisy, and He sought those seeking God’s mercy through true repentance by turning from sin and choosing Christ. True repentance leads to transformation, and God’s Word reminds us that “those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Ryan taught the men in 2nd service how words have meaning and power. God gave words power and spoke the universe into being. Words can create and destroy – we can build others up or tear them down. We are all here because we experienced the grace of Jesus – we need to watch our words. Ryan referenced passages like Pv18:21 and Eph 4:29 to illustrate God’s view on how we use our words. He walked through Jesus’ temptation by the devil in Matthew 4:1-11 to show how the best words – scripture – are the solution to any temptation when understood in context. When we engrain God’s word in our heart, it can encourage and protect us in our worst moments. Ryan concluded with a challenge to memorize scripture like Psalm 23.
We continually thank God for each of you and the power of your many words raised to our heavenly Father on behalf of the men and women in prison and their families who suffer along with them. We pray you all have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day holiday and enjoy the many blessings of our great God.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00pm service):
- Joel– my family, my brother and sister, Chaplain Heinrich bringing the Word to us, my court date in August, and that I can get back to Jesus and leave my life of being without him. Also for people who need help, like Maria who needs a place to live. Also for a place to live and good job when I get out.
- Jeffrey– for my family, especially with the financial issues they are having, and for spiritual growth.
- Jay– for my family and friends, and that things go good for the next 2 months, and for all the people at church. Thanks for the volunteers who come in.
- Kenneth– for my girl (Taja), and her spiritual journey – she is under attack.
- Jose– for my stepfather and for my business.
- Keith– pray for a much better deal, possible court date on Friday. For my family, my oldest son (Anthony) and his wife and his ministry, my daughter (Brandy), and my younger son (Shaun) working hard and getting married this year.
- Eugene (volunteer) seeks prayer for the “Me-We-City” movement sponsored by pastors across Coatesville intent on transforming the community by transformation of minds, spirits, and bodies throughout the city- family by family, and neighborhood by neighborhood. This week’s prayer focus is Youth (and next week’s focus is Pastors & Churches).
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Kenny– for my family to be doing well.
- Eric– for my mother and father’s health, for a good paying job when I get out, and for a girlfriend.
- John– for my daughter (6) to know how much I love her.
- Brent– continued prayers for my friend’s daughter (Natalie, 16) going through tests for internal health problems- they still can’t figure out what’s wrong.
- Ross– I’m from Florida and don’t have an address there or here, so probation is denied. I feel unsafe here, and pray for a ministry in FL or PA to help me with a place to live so I can get out.
- Andy L– we have 60 people coming to our house for a family reunion this weekend, prayers to stay sane.
- Jim M– my son Jacob.
- Joseph– to get back home, I shouldn’t be here, pray that court date works out, it’s my first time here. Also reading great Christian books I never saw before, help me understand.
- Miguel– strength for my lady and my 3 boys.
- Ryan– my family is moving my stuff 4.5 hours away, hope it all goes well.
- Steve– my family, friends, and loved ones.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Rick C– for Craig who is now at Montgomery County prison, may his light continue to shine. And for Harry who got out last week that he found a good church and brothers/sisters in the faith to encourage him and help keep him on the right path.
- Anthony– for my fiance and myself – we lost our home – that she can find a place. Pray things will get better and we get through all this. Also for safe travels to Dallas, TX.
- Dominic– thankful for volunteers, pray for family and friends and that we get through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
- Kevin– for myself, prayers for the volunteers, and for my girlfriend to have a healthy pregnancy. For my mom, my dad, and my grandmom.
- Conner– my fiance is due Wednesday with our first child.
- Mike– my friend Michelle with cancer, and my Uncle Vince fell and his leg is in rough shape. Healing for both.
- Glenn– thankful for volunteers each week, for my family and friends to be taken care of, and my nephew (Matthew) was in a bad car wreck and lost sight in one eye and other complications – may he be healed. Also he has to deal with the other person that died in the wreck. Matthew not a believer.
- David– my family, my sister, uncle, cellmate and everyone who’s been there for me.
- Jeremiah– my children, my significant other, and good outcome of my case.
Prayers from Onesimus Prison Ministries
- Our prison chaplains – Jack Crans, Heinrich Botes, and Rhonda Soland.
- Prison staff, prison leadership, and all of their families
- For favor upon religious programs and expansion of chapel schedule at the prison.
- Staff shortages impacting families and programs in the prison.
- Pray for a new ministry started by one of the volunteers to help men in crisis – The Archangel Project.
- For recently released men and women to find safe haven and continue their faith journey.
- Aftercare ministries taking care of inmate transition 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.
These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/
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