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To my Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I got back Sunday from a weeklong family vacation at the beach. Getting away is great, yet it's so comforting to return to familiar surroundings. It felt the same way last night in the prison chapel. Renovations closed the chapel for a few months, and while we were very grateful to continue services in a classroom setting, it felt great to be back in familiar surroundings with 22 men who came out to worship our great God. We saw it in their faces and their attitude – they were glad to be back in the chapel as well.
Of course we can worship God anywhere and anytime, but there's something special about a dedicated space consecrated for a specific purpose. We must be careful to maintain focus on the object of our praise – God our Father – and not the place we gather to praise Him. We read in both Old and New Testaments how majestic was the Temple in Jerusalem. I think many worshippers (and leaders!) focused way too much on the temple, instead of God – and instead of looking for the coming Messiah, who stood right in front of them and told them eventually one stone would not be left upon another.
Our worship spaces may be objects of beauty and reverence, but like us, they won't last forever. We must keep an eternal focus on what will endure, like God. Paul reminds us in 1 Cor 13:13, “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” To bring it full circle, let me add 1 John 4:8, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.“
Thank you for expressing your love for these men by lifting them, their families, and their prayer requests up before our Heavenly Father every week. I have to believe that God is smiling upon you as you lift your eyes to Him in prayer for people you will never meet. May He bless you in a special way this week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (Inmate 1-on-1 sessions):
- Troy– recounted time before I turned myself in when I wanted to die – looked all over town for drug dealers to get fentanyl to end it all, but God hid them all from me – He saved me from myself. They had a party for my sister's oldest son Mark on Saturday – he's nonverbal but I got to hear him on the phone (making noises). Expecting visit from my brother again, and my wife for the first time. Thankful God continues to protect me, I'm ready to get out of here but in His timing.
- Brandon– looking forward to release on Aug 19, plan to see my family in Oxford, and I'm headed to a halfway house in Coatesville in September. [Please pray for this young man to find a good church and not fall back into old ways and attitudes that landed him in prison.]
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (6:00pm Monday service):
- Ross– I get out in 2 weeks, thankful for getting through 9 months in Norristown State Hospital. We can all do the time and get out to do what we're supposed to do.
- Darryl– for my court date and to get into rehab- broke my neck last year and now my hip this year- I’m an old man. For everyone's families.
- Ariel– to get a court date soon, and to change my lawyer. For those who don't believe in Jesus, and for my family – Mom, sister, ex-wife.
- Julius– for my grandad to recover from epilepsy, for my brother and his mom going through issues, for everyone here to get out soon, to get answers, and forgiveness.
- Daniel– experiencing such isolation- lost touch with family, they were bad and I spent my whole life trying to get away, but it's family – difficult dilemma. Parents in 90's and near death, can't even speak to daughter after divorce. Pray for new relationships and to keep moving forward meeting new people. Also for our general health, and that we continue to get resources that help us when we get out.
- Mike– for my family- wife Robin, daughter Hannah, sons Gavin and Michael, and for forgiveness.
- Troy– thankful I got to see my wife Beth last week- first time in 9 months, and she's coming tomorrow. Pray for blessings on my whole family, and forgiveness.
- Scott– for Jack Crans and our families.
- Jim M– for my friend Steve with stage 4 lung cancer. Thankful for all the guys coming out tonight, pray for everyone to know Jesus.
- Anthony– I have an autistic brother, my court date on the 12th, pray I can be released and free to take care of family.
- Erwin– my wife Rena with health issues, and my sister with cancer.
- Dan T– my brother-in-law to continue to grow in Christ, and protection of all new Christians.
- Greg– was supposed to be released 2 weeks ago – feeling trapped, but finding freedom through prayer and writing things down.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (7:30pm Monday service):
- For continued healing of our brother volunteer Bill Harkins.
- Dave – His healing for his mom who fell and is having back pain
- Brad – That he would grow closer to God, and for health and protection for his family
- Steve – That he would find a good home church when he gets out of prison
- Elias – For his mom Who is scheduled to have surgery soon
- Cameron – For his youngest son Noah who is in pain due to eczema flaring up
- Andy – Unsaved family members
- Merlin – God would take care of his family
- Robert – no problems in prison, and that God would keep his friends and family safe
- Ryan – Strong relationship in his journey with God
- Al – That God would take care of his mom who’s in a nursing home, and for his son’s mother Dawn for healing from cancer.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For all Volunteers ministering within Chester County Prison.
- For the Warden and all leaders within CCP, may this ministry continue to find favor with them.
- 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, grant them wisdom and insight for the future of the ministry.
- For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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