My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
During prayer time in the Monday Night services, I’ve shared that we Christian men should try to ask more mature questions in prayer. Instead of crying out “Why me? Why this? Why now?”, perhaps we ask “What are you showing me through this, Lord? What are you trying to teach me? Please help me see it”. Some people say “everything happens for a reason”, and I’ll add “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8.28). We may never see a reason or cause for something, but we need to take it on faith.
For example, I’m curious why He’s kept me out of prison the last 2 Monday nights. Last week was sickness, this week I lost my voice. Not knowing the reason won’t keep me up at night, but makes me wonder. Perhaps the men needed to hear something another prayer warrior spoke during the prayers. I may never know, but I’ll keep waiting on the Lord in hopes to get back with the team soon. Prayer requests from a few 1-1 sessions Thursday are below. Erwin and Bill covered the prayer times in the two services last night (thanks guys!), and the prayer requests they collected are below also.
Andy L’s message in 1st service was quite applicable to those in depression like Drake – no doubt by God’s providence. He talked about tough times and facing despair. Andy’s thrust was there’s only one LifeSaver when troubles come – the Lord, who can deliver us from any challenge if He is the Lord of our lives. Andy referenced Psalm 107, and talked about 4 types of people: The Lost, Prisoners, Fools, and those who seem successful, but have lost their courage due to trusting in the wrong thing. God allows troubles to His ultimate glory by their restoration. The path to salvation is always the same – Cry out to the LORD!
In 2nd service, Andy D preached about faith – not what it looks like or how strong, but who is the focus – Jesus! He used the example of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28, looking for Jesus to heal her daughter. Love for her daughter drove her to risk everything crossing social, racial, and religious lines to plea with Jesus for her life. She knew He was the answer, and her faith was modeled by humility, persistence, and patience. She trusted ultimately in the love of God. Our faith must be centered on a Holy God who loves us completely, hears our humble prayers, and will answer in His way and His timing which is perfect.
God always provides! He’s proven it over and over in the Bible, in this ministry, and in our lives. For some reason, He often likes to include us in how He provides for others. We thank God for each of you, and how God has included you to provide for the men and women of Chester County Prison. We pray you find it a blessing to be part of this ministry – we sure do! Have a wonderfully blessed week!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (Inmate sessions):
- José– huge praise that his program came through- taking a weekly class that will allow him to get out in 5 weeks! Thankful that girlfriend Haley and her daughter Juliana (6) had fun at HersheyPark. Prayers for those that need a push and some guidance- they need Jesus. I want to help people find Jesus, and I want to get through these next 5 weeks peacefully.
- Keith– court date got pushed to Friday 8/9, prayers that something good gets worked out. Prayers for my family and our great country.
- Kenny– very excited with all the reading I’m doing – devouring Bible and several study guides – can’t get enough. The guy running the Bible study on the block got moved, so now I’m running it. Praying for God’s help and wisdom to run the Bible study. Pray my family is doing well, and prayers for the family of my Dad’s friend Pablo (42) who just died of pancreatic cancer. Pray for my time to so smoothly. Big praise that I’m moving to a new block where I’ll get to work in the kitchen, and also get to attend the second Monday night service.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Erwin– for Rick to feel better soon, his healing, and to be restored to Monday night’s soon.
- John – for his daughter to know how much he loves her.
- DJ– for everyone in jail, and for the non-English speaking attendees to somehow comprehend the message.
- Daeron – for his friend who was brought into CCP on Friday, his first-time at jail.
- Raymond – leaders of our country, for his wife having back surgery on Tuesday or Wednesday, for Kyle looking for his son, and for the volunteers.
- Ryan – for people to get into programs, to change his life, and for his family who depends on him, and for his buddy having a kid.
- Phil T– for Cowboy’s wife facing a host of health issues (Cowboy is a friend of my future son-in-law). For son Kyle, who moved up his wedding in front of my daughter’s wedding, causing heartache to her and her fiancé, and strife for the entire family.
- Derrick – his family and for his mom with cancer, and his dad with dementia.
- Jack– for the A/C on the block to be fixed.
- Taylor – for his brother traveling to his sister’s wedding this weekend, and for Taylor’s reconciliation with his family.
- Zack– for grace and mercy.
- Also please pray for Drake. He usually sits up front and encourages other inmates, but didn’t sit in usual place – he sat in the far back. He was withdrawn, disconnected, and when asked if he was okay, he didn’t even respond. Seems to be suffering from profound depression.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- John: That Jorge’s transition out of prison this week would go smoothly, and for John’s family.
- Clarence: For us, and for men on the block who didn’t/couldn’t come out, for Family – comfort in loss of Aunt, for successful housing search for fiance, for his children, for closure on his case and Jeremiah’s case.
- Jorge: cellmate Jeff for successful court case today, for family, children, his baby’s Mom, and smooth transition out of prison.
- Rick C: healing of viral symptoms.
- Kellimel: family, grandma with health issues, patience, fellow inmates, better situation at prison.
- Jeff: for a hearing with new Judge, protection for his family, especially his daughter going through a tough time.
- Rob: Restoration of A/C system in the block.
Prayers from Onesimus Prison Ministries
- Prison staffing shortage and high turnover rate impacting operations and causing stress for staff members and supervisors.
- Our prison chaplains – Jack Crans, Heinrich Botes, and Rhonda Soland.
- Wellbeing of prison leadership, prison staff, and their families.
- To allow expansion of Chapel schedule to enable more prolific use of volunteers.
- Recently released men and women to stay in the Word, continue their faith journey, engage in a Bible-preaching church, and find the spiritual support/accountability they need.
- God bless the Aftercare ministries assisting inmate transitions 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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