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My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I think a favorite verse of many evangelists may be 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be ready to give an answer for the hope you have within you, but do this with gentleness and respect”. You just never know when God will drop an opportunity right in your lap.
On Saturday, members of my Christian Motorcyclists Association chapter rode out to Gettysburg Bike Week to do street ministry. While it doesn’t compare to Sturgis or Daytona Bike Week, it has become the largest (and perhaps the only remaining) biker rally in Pennsylvania. We were stationed at a tent within one of the venues, behind a small stage with individual performers, and among many vendors selling a variety of motorcycle accessories.
It was a sweltering afternoon, with temps over 96 degrees, and we were handing out cold bottles of water and icewater-soaked rags to put on your neck (for the folks ready to pass out from heat). We actively engaged with people, and always ask if there’s anything we can pray for in their lives. Typical responses are “no thanks-I’m good”, a health issue, safety on the road, or just for family.
I saw Chuck walking by looking rather dehydrated, handed him a water bottle and put a cold towel on his neck and asked what can I pray for. He looked me straight in the eye and said “well I guess my salvation”. Whoa – did he just say that? In the middle of a biker rally? Where do I start? Oh Lord, please give me the words – and He did! After a brief conversation about sin, hopelessness, need of a savior, and why Jesus came, we prayed for him to receive Christ. What a moment – excitement, nervousness, total dependence on God – that’s why we’re here.
We thank all of you for being “here” for the inmates each week, always ready to offer up their prayer requests to the Father. I pray someday each of you will have this same type of opportunity – it’s truly a thrill to be used of God that way. We appreciate how God uses you already in supporting this ministry – you are a blessing to many. May you and your family be truly blessed this week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):
- Carl– for more knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.
[NOTE: Carl let us know he’s a Jehovah’s Witness, so we also want to pray for God to grant him wisdom to follow the true God of the Bible – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and salvation through faith and not works]
- Larry– for my Mom who has diabetes, and for me to be closer to my kids.
- David– family, kids, my fiancé, and thankful for the message today from brother Eugene.
- Manuel– my upcoming court date (7/28) and my family.
- Javier– my family and court date on 7/14.
- Eugene C– praise and thanks for my sister coming through triple bypass surgery, going home after 2 days versus normal 8-10 days. Pray for me as Lord is leading me to Kensington this afternoon to evangelize.
- Jack– received divorce paperwork (not unexpected). She was very amicable in not asking for anything, but checked the box “reconciliation not possible”. I checked the box “reconciliation possible” and have peace with letting her have whatever she wants. Asking for God’s strength and guidance for handling the situation, and for plans after release in 2 weeks.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- John– for God to guide us all home.
- Daniel– my girlfriend’s depression about my situation, she’s all alone and needs me, for my son Daniel who turned 5 yesterday, my Mom is happy again that I’m different (heart change), my brother is having problems in Mexico, and for all of us in here to have strength.
- Eric– for all of us to make it out of here and stay out.
- Zare– for myself, my family, my sister had her 2nd baby 3 weeks ago, my Mom, my kids, all the court dates coming up, and for the victims of the shooting at that Kentucky church.
- Chris– to be a hero to my daughter, for my family I’ve lost touch with, for my court date on the 23d, to get home, and for old church bodies to be restored.
- Tim– for my family, my father passed away in January and Mom having tough time since his birthday was 2 days ago. For my court date and the process, and to get home.
- Caesar– my family, court date on 23d, for all to go well. For everyone in here.
- Cody– for all of us.
- Deron– family and friends.
- Phil T– my granddaughter Julia turns 13 on Sunday, hope she has a great day. For Erwin’s wife Rena with back surgery coming up on Friday. For Joy’s pregnancy- carrying twins who are both still alive, but one expected not to make it, doctors suggesting selective abortion, but she is walking by faith- we pray for 2 full term healthy babies in the mighty name of Jesus!
- Dan T– for our brother Jim recovering from his accident, and for my brother-in-law to hear and accept the Gospel.
- Bob– that everyone praying to the Lord has their prayer answered.
- Phil T– for the husband of my daughter’s co-worker who suffered a heart attack.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Tyler– wife and kids
- Liam– family to stay healthy, mom and dad, grandparents, niece, my kids, my sister – all to keep a positive outlook.
- Zack– for the judge to make the right decision about sending me to program. For my wife and friends to stay with me and help me out.
- Michael– for everyone’s moms out there to be safe and patient, and have peace over us being in here.
- Robert– to get out of here and never come back.
- Kirk– to not repeat the things that got me here in the first place, and to learn from my mistakes.
- Frankie– for my mom’s cancer, and for my heart- I have an enlarged aorta and blocked mitral valve. Hope I’ll be OK.
- Brian– mom has been in and out of hospital with lots of pain with gallstones. Needs gall bladder taken out.
- Kevin– all of us in here, all our loved ones, all suffering because of us.
- Dave– my kids, grandkids, and the brothers in here and their court dates. Pray for our anxiety and for calmness.
- Mackie– to go home on the 30th.
- Gabriel– for my grandfather to have safe journey to Panama.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For Chaplains Rhonda, Heinrich, and Jack.
- For all the prison ministry volunteers, and more opportunities for them to get plugged in at CCP.
- Continued prayer for Heinrich’s family in South Africa after sudden loss of his sister.
- For all those at the prison- inmates, staff, and the families that support them.
- For the Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations across Chester County ministering to recently released men and women.
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.
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