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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We notice several recurring themes among prayer requests in the prison, which usually coincide with each man's place in his journey. Most men entering prison begin with much anger and rage, projected on corrections officers, other inmates, and especially the legal/court system. This may be the most difficult theme, often involving hard hearts, and sadly some never progress beyond it. We pray God would soften those hearts and allow them to see beyond their present circumstances.
Once the anger subsides a bit, we hear bitterness and yearning for justice/fairness. This is where teachings on God's mercy and grace can be most effective – who wants justice when we can receive mercy? For those who submit to the Lord and seek Him, the next theme becomes forgiveness, mercy, and grace. The realization sets in of how broken and empty we truly are. We pray God would fill the immense void in their heart with his unfailing love.
Finally, as release dates get closer, anxiety and fear kick in. They will soon return to making their own decisions, which in the past has proven detrimental. They need confidence in God's grace, and the discipline to continue seeking Him and His path for their life (versus their own). We pray they will stay in His Word and find a good Bible-preaching church with faithful brothers and sisters to surround them with God's love and encouragement.
No matter which phase they are in, every man appreciates that others pray regularly for them and their requests. Thank you for your faithful service of lifting all these before the throne of grace each and every week. We can't express enough how important your prayers are, and how much we value your partnership in this ministry. May God bless you and yours in a special way this week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (Inmate 1-on-1 sessions):
- Troy– Court date did not happen last Tuesday- frustrating, but I've given it over to God and it's just not time yet. Pray that my wife Beth stays in a great mood, and for my son Tyson who's birthday was on Monday.
- Brandon– [unable to see him last 3 weeks due to an incident with staff that landed him in “the hole”. Please pray for Brandon to own his mistakes and pursue peace.]
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (6:00pm Monday service):
- Zair– only 4 days left before release – I'm getting anxious, yet it feels like I'm not getting out. Pray for my Mom, my sister, her kids, my kids, and for the service members killed in Jordan by Iran's missile attack. Thankful for the volunteers coming in each week to teach us the Word.
- Greg– I'm leaving next week, want to find a good church – I got away from it before coming here, but now I want to get involved with people who are real and pray with them. I'm going to keep this part of my life.
- Carl– I get out tomorrow to head to rehab, then to a half-way house. Starting a new chapter of my life.
- Ryan– that we could diminish the hate in our hearts and have more love.
- Jim (volunteer)- for everyone in this place to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. And for all the victims of earthquakes and fires in Canada.
- Erwin (volunteer)- my wife Rena, going through many doctor appointments, may they figure out what's wrong and begin effective treatment.
- Phil (volunteer)- thankful for my daughter and birth of her new baby boy Isaac. Also pray for Rick's daughter Ali and those struggling to get pregnant. Pray for my sister-in-law Mary with neurological tests inconclusive, that she would come to know Jesus. And for my granddaughter Julie to be blessed on her 14th birthday today, and bless her sister.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (6:15pm Monday service):
- Kevin: For his mother and children
- Manuel: For his family that struggles with sadness that he is away from them, to encourage their hearts.
- Pasquel: For his sons, his mother, and his brothers to be well
- Ramirez: For his family to be well, and for everyone on K Block to be encouraged.
- Edgar: For his family, for his sons and for his friends
- Ariel: For freedom from prison, for Daniel Murphy, for Troy Thomas, and for his court date to come soon.
- Troy: For his wife and kids, for forgiveness and a reunited family when he gets out, for a court date to come soon.
- Scottie: For his family, and for everyone locked up
- Craig: For Scottie, for everyone else in jail, and for broken parts of the system to be corrected.
- Matt (volunteer): For his mother-in-law Cheryl and for his wife Carrie while they grieve the loss of his father in law. For his mother and his sister who is pregnant to have a safe delivery. For his friend Earnest (ex-inmate) to land a job opportunity.
- Andy (volunteer): Is grateful to God for his kindness and mercy.
- Cam (volunteer): For his son Hayes who was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome – that he would learn to manage the tics well and that they would go away as he develops.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (7:30pm Monday service):
- For continued healing of our brother volunteer Bill Harkins.
- Joseph: For Peace in the jail, and for more prisoners to come to the Lord
- Jason: For his wife and kids to welcome God into their lives.
- Bob: For he and his family relations to improve while he is locked up and when he gets out.
- Mike: For peace and for help to stop using drugs.
- Harry: Feels far from God, that he would be encouraged and recognize God working in his life.
- Todd: For forgiveness for all that he's done, and for restoration to family and community when he's out.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For the Volunteers ministering to inmates at Chester County Prison.
- For Chaplain Rhonda, and her ministry to female inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Heinrich, and his ministry to male inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Jack Crans, as he leads chaplaincy at Chester County Prison among both inmates and prison leadership, and for his personal strength and healing from cancer.
- For the Families supporting each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- For Onesimus Ministries Board of Directors, wisdom and insight for the future of the ministry.
- For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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