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Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Last night we were reminded anew just how stressful living in a prison environment can be. Similar to enlisting in the military, you land in a strange place, wearing strange (issued) clothing, among groups of people you wouldn't normally be around (and likely wouldn't choose to be around), all the while being told what to do, what not to do, and forcefully corrected when you cross the line. Feeling trapped 24/7 in a situation where you have no control. Everyone feels it, and everyone is on edge.
We all seek peace in our lives – we take vacations, we're “working for the weekends”, and sometimes we just want to be left alone. But when your location is restricted to a cell or cell block, peace is often in short supply, even in a prison church service. Like when you're intently listening to a Biblical message, and the guy next to you won't stop talking and trying to have a side conversation with you. We noticed this as an inmate who is normally cool, calm, and collected almost lost it on another inmate with apparent mental issues.
Thankfully the service was soon over and I was able to get over there and pray with him for peace and the ability to just let it go. He thanked me, saying he really needed that, and prison will drive you crazy if you're not careful. The peaceful Spirit of the Living God is very welcome in the hearts of many inmates who won't find peace anywhere else. Perhaps that's what God is teaching them. I freely admit my gladness that I'm not being taught that lesson like that.
How do you find peace? I'll bet one way is through prayer. Please pray for the peace of each inmate on each cell block in Chester county prison – we hear of the unsettled craziness all the time. Thank you for praying for that, for them, and for so many prayer requests that come in each week. And may God's peace surround you and your family as you seek Him with your whole heart. Blessings!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (Inmate 1-on-1 sessions):
- William– Father passed away in late August, Mom had passed years before. Interested in attending church services, not sure when they are. Spending time each day in prayer and in my Bible, and keeping mostly to myself in here. Interested in continuing to meet 1-1.
- Troy– praise God I have a court date on 10/20 – my 5th time scheduled, but haven't been called up yet, pray I'll actually be called up to go to court this time. My CT scans showed lymph nodes ok, but maybe emphysema, will have CT scans for lungs in a few weeks. Been here since 12/2/25, hope to talk to a lawyer about rules regarding release if no court date after 9 months.
Prayer Requests from 6:00pm Monday service:
- Dan– I have a scan Tue at 2pm as part of my cancer treatment, pray for me as I'm very claustrophobic and the scan involves laying inside a narrow tube.
- Mark– to actually get called up Wed and get to court, and for the process to get moving.
- Ariel– for my family, healing for my brother, for my sister, my Mom, and my Father, for all the men here, and for every single life on this earth. Pray all goes well with court date on 10/5, thanks for answered prayer – judge would not grant new lawyer, but now I have new lawyer. For my ex-wife, I made a mistake divorcing her, pray she has a good life. And for my brain cyst.
- Troy– for my wife (Beth) and my kids (Stephanie, Tyson, and Lexus), and my entire family that supports me. For everyone in here to successfully get out and walk with the Lord, for my court date 10/20 finally, and I have a scan on my lungs coming up.
- Cory– to hopefully get out after my court date 10/19 – that I would get time served. And for my sister who got suspended from school, she's back now, but pray she will do well and not get expelled.
- Greg– couldn't see my family last week due to busy schedules – haven't seen them in a year, pray we can visit soon.
- Phil– my cousin Dotsy was put on hospice, praying for the opportunity to share the Gospel with her. Also for my eldest daughter Brooke whose husband travels a lot and she's with kids all the time, and her kids are a handful – pray for her peace and strength.
- Jim– for every last person in this prison to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
- Troy– thankful for volunteers coming out here, even on their birthdays. And for Erwin who I haven't seen in a couple weeks- pray he and his family are doing well.
- Rick– for my daughter (Ali) and her husband (Aaron) having difficulty trying to conceive, pray that God would bless them with a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
- Ben– thankful for God showing me miracles all around me, and blessing me beyond imagination – pray I wouldn't be prideful for how much I'm blessed.
Prayer Requests from 7:30pm Monday service:
- Rick: for our brother, volunteer Bill Harkins undergoing cancer treatments. Continued healing and good reports.
- Dave– elderly mother broke her back and needs to rest, trial coming up next week
- Steve– find a church in the Philadelphia area when I get released
- Brian– 5 children to have a relationship with God, grandmother (Lynn) was in a car accident, family, friends and inmates here
- Matt– wife (Brenna) comfort and peace while I'm away from her
- Billy– volunteers/church, ALL families have happy successful lives
- Troy– son Zack, approval from Google/Apple for the app he created
- Andy– I lost my glasses on vacation-they get returned to me
- Matt– unsaved family members, be more like Jesus and less like myself
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For the organizing and ticket sales of Onesimus Benefit Dinner at Green Street Grill on Nov 13.
- For Onesimus Ministries Board of Directors, wisdom and insight for the future of this ministry.
- For Chaplain Rhonda, in her ministry to female inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Heinrich, in his ministry to male inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Jack Crans, leading chaplaincy at Chester County Prison among both inmates and prison leadership, and for his personal strength and healing from cancer.
- For all Volunteers ministering in Chester County Prison.
- For the Warden and leadership at CCP, may ministries continue to find favor with them.
- For the Families of each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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