My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As most kids head back to school this week, it’s another missed milestone for those in prison which tends to trigger depression. Our hearts are with the downtrodden, and we pray in agreement with several inmates who are looking for better days ahead.
Last week we kicked off prayer time with the first half of Psalm 34, this week we read the second half:
The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous face many troubles,
but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.
For the LORD protects them from harm —
not one of their bones will be broken!
Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
But the LORD will redeem those who serve him.
Everyone who trusts in Him will be freely pardoned. (Psalm 34:15-22)
Erwin’s 1st service message “Prisoners and Jesus” used God’s Word to encourage the men as he read several scriptures highlighting how Jesus loves them more than they can imagine. Jesus not only spoke of loving and visiting those in prison, he consistently befriended people labelled thieves and criminals by religious leaders, like tax collectors Zacchaeus and Matthew. Jesus waits for us to invite Him in, like these men had Jesus over to dinner with their friends. Erwin spoke of the call on Christians to come into prisons, like in Mt 25 where Jesus describes what we do for “the least of these” is actually what we do for Him. He ended with assurance that God has a plan and a place for each of us, don’t lose hope – trust in Jesus!
Marty walked through Luke 15 for the men in 2nd service, using parables to emphasize how God not only exists, but is a real Father who seeks to save the lost, even the one, who strays away. All heaven rejoices when the lost are found in Christ, like straying sheep, lost coins, and like prodigal sons. Sin drives us away, and for some, keeps them away from a relationship with the God of creation who loves us and wants us to know Him personally and intimately. Like the prodigal son’s father, He stands ready to welcome us with open arms no matter what we’ve done. It’s the best offer we’ll ever get in life, don’t pass it up!
The loving Father image portrayed throughout the Bible may be a foreign concept to some, but is so true we continue to preach it to hurting men. The Holy Spirit takes it from there, and we pray every week for every one of these guys to take Him up on the offer and join the family of God as one of the redeemed. Thanks for continually praying alongside of us. Your partnership is crucial to the mission of this ministry. God bless you for all you do in His name!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Service, plus Inmate sessions):
- Eric– family, strength and understanding, get through my time in rehab.
- John– I go home in a few weeks and need the Holy Spirit to continue to guide me outside of here, help me stay in God’s word, and lead me to the right place – I need housing.
- Kenneth– my trial is next month, need to keep the faith – my mind is playing tricks on me [more likely under attack by the enemy].
- Kellimel– when I get out I need help to stay focused to stay in God’s will, and to stay strong for my kids and family. Pray for all of the men here, and thankful for the volunteers.
- Bart– for others to see us as fathers, brothers, as people in a bad situation and not judge us. Thankful for the volunteers coming in each week.
- Kenny– pray for family to all be doing well, it’s Mom’s birthday tomorrow (8/23), pray all is well at home. Praying for my friends Frances and Jimmy, and my girlfriend all doing well, pray for my grandparents are OK – grandmom had a stroke but seems better now – pray for her peace as she gets stressed easily. Pray for my peace and sanity and to keep a positive mindset, that my time would go smoothly, and for God to continue to show me the right way.
- Keith– pray I can get back to Maryland soon to get my time started there, and that I can go to camp center (work release program) versus just sitting in prison. I have 17 months left and need to figure out next steps in starting over – need God’s help and guidance for a solid plan and to keep me out of old habits, old routines, and old places.
- José– pray for my Dad (José Sr.) who is stressed out with some tough times – he is looking for answers but doing too much weed, and his live-in stepdaughters don’t help out at all – he needs guidance on how to handle all that. I have 3 weeks left and feel like I’m being targeted on recent cell searches – help me through this time of testing and for guidance for life outside of here. I want to be a changed person and help others. Pray for my girlfriend and family. Thankful she is coming to visit me today.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Drake– pray that I can access materials to pursue an associate’s degree, and for glasses so I can see.
- Anthony– pray for something to come together for me next week, I’ve been here a long time and paid my debt- it’s time to go. Also pray for Grandmother who’s getting old – she’s always been my backbone but we’ve been out of touch lately, I pray she’s OK.
- Ross– pray for Bernard who went up state, for Cody, and for Lawrence. Pray for everyone with upcoming court dates, those with parole dates coming up, all the guys here and in this prison, and in prisons across the country.
- Johnny– I’m innocent in my case, pray for the judge to see that. [I prayed that the facts of the case would be accurately represented and the truth would be clearly seen]
- Theron– For better days ahead, and for my family and friends. Also for a better relationship with God.
- Derek– my Mom has cancer, for my family, all the guys here, and all the kids in the youth detention center next door.
- Jim M– for my son Jacob, and for all those who are lost to come to Christ while there is still time.
- Dan T– for Mario who was released today and suffers from alcoholism – he lost everything because of it – pray he gets his life back together. Also for my brother-in-law to overcome whatever roadblock is in his way of accepting Christ.
- Andy L– for my niece living in a dangerous situation – her absentee husband is making threats against her life.
- Phil T– for peace and reconciliation for everyone – between people, groups, nations, and between God and mankind.
- John– for the health and wellbeing of daughters, and for my wife to have healthy pregnancy.
- Zach– pray for my Mom (Yulanda) is going for a job, getting through lots of background checks.
- Rick C– praise God for Dan’s quick recovery from covid, and pray for the many who are suffering from a recent spike in covid cases, especially older folks who risk complications.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Clarence– thanks for volunteers blessing us with the Word, pray for the guys back on the block, my court situation, my brother Jeremiah and all he’s going through, and for Matt and his ministry to men.
- Lamont– my Mom is being incarcerated right now for something she didn’t do – may the truth be found out. Also pray for families of the 13 servicemen and women killed 3 years ago in that Airport in Afghanistan.
- Justin– for my peace of mind – I’m having issues with anger – pray for a calm and peace.
- Darren– for my ex-girlfriend Amy- her father has cancer, for her family, and for my ex-wife and her family, pray my kids are doing OK, bless them. Pray for my Mom (Leanne) taking care of the whole family, and her fiancé Tim who’s been in and out of hospital with congestive heart failure- for his healing and both of them to stay strong, and for anyone who is struggling to get through their struggles.
- Raymond– thankful for volunteers, lift up the presidential election and pray for those in leadership and that godly men and women would get into office. Pray that God would touch the hearts of all the men here, and that we could take our rightful place in our homes as the men God calls us to be, help us stay disciplined to pray and stay in your Word. For everyone’s families and children who are our future. Help me surrender to God’s will over my own, give me strength, and for my court date Wednesday.
- Michael– for my wife Jenny in Indonesia, and that we can be reunited soon.
- Matt R– pray God would stir the hearts of leaders of institutions like this prison to put policies and programs in place to help inmates. Also pray for Lancaster County prison which is worse.
Prayers from Onesimus Prison Ministries
- For success in spreading the word and selling seats for our first-ever Benefit Dinner at Green Street Grill on Oct 25 (see www.onesimusministries.org).
- Blessings upon our outstanding Chester County Prison Chaplains- Jack Crans, Rhonda Soland, Heinrich Botes.
- For the families of all the staff and inmates at Chester County prison.
- Pray for prison leadership in dealing with staff shortages and high turnover which impacts daily operations and causes stress for supervisors, staff, and volunteers.
- For recently released men and women to stay in God’s word, continually seek His guidance, engage in local churches, and find all the support they need to successfully transition back into society.
- God bless the people and resources of the Aftercare ministries across Chester County.
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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