Enfolded in one of the prayer shawls made by East Congregational Church, Violet Pinola brings the handmade work in for a blessing.
Photo courtesy of East Congregational Church, UCC
Reverend Sara Marean turned off the car and looked over at the bulky gift bag on the seat beside her. The bag contained a prayer shawl that had been woven by women in her East Congregational Church in Milton. It was beautiful—a soft, navy blue wool that seemed to absorb the early morning sun. When it was finished, every one of the nine women in the group had laid her hands upon the shawl and offered a prayer asking God to help the person for whom it was intended. Does prayer heal? Read the full story in Sep/Oct issue of The Saturday Evening Post.
To learn more about prayer shawls, visit shawlministry.com.
11 Comments
Do you have any patterns for crochet prayer shawls??
Hi Donna,
You can find instructions for a prayer shawl pattern here: http://www.shawlministry.com/instructions.html. Please feel free to share with us how it turns out.
I would like pattern for Prayer shawl using knitting needlesI
Beautiful article. We started a Prayer Shawl ministry in our Catholic church in 2006 with 3 people. We’ve grown to over 50+ members and how awesome it is to group and also share with those in need. Thanks Satyrday Evening Post for spreading the WORD!
Margaret, there are many knitted prayer shawl patterns at the Prayer Shawl website and there are several books on knitted prayer shawl available at Barnes and Noble stores, barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com, online.
What a joy to see your article on prayer shawls! Dr. Mary Spann (deceased) initiated a prayer shawl ministry at our church, Aldersgate United Methodist, Huntsville, AL, over 5 years ago. Our shawls are made for adults, children and babies. They are made in beautiful colors, and each one is fringed, bears a hand crocheted cross in a coordinating color, and an identifying label on back. Each shawl is individually blessed for the receiver, packed in a white box with tissue paper, and a prayer shawl blessing card for the receiver. We have blessed over 200 shawls and given them to people all over America and the world; Japan, Canada, Peurto Rico, and all denominations! The ministry is such a blessing, not only to the receiver, but to those individuals who make the shawls.
Alice Bunnell
Huntsvlle, AL
I was diagnosed with breast cancer Sept 10,09 had breast surgery Sept 29,09 followed by treatments . This past Aug both my parents were diagnosed with cancer. Dad (Pete) with prostate cancer and mom ( Margaret ) with lung cancer which has spread. We all believe in GOD’S DEVINE HEALING. and the POWER OF PRAYER.
How may I get a healing shaw for my mom. I will donate.Thank you Rhonda.
I was given a prayer shawl by a church in Sharon, MA in April 2007 after major surgery. I wanted to start this ministry in my own church, Faith Community, Longmont, CO, and we met for the first time in Aug. 2007. Now, Oct. 1, 2010 about 30 ladies have made 695 shawls and given out nearly 640. We also make prayer scarves for all our graduating seniors. We meet once a month to pray over completed shawls, share patterns, etc. We knit, crochet, quilt and weave our shawls. We average distribution of about a dozen shawls per month to church members for themselves or for requests from them for loved ones.
Marsha Tollefson, Longmont, CO
Years ago I started knitting because I wanted a shawl. Knitting was satisfying, and it was a natural progression to want to do this for others. I made my first prayer shawl for my Mother, and then two more quickly followed for two favorite aunts who were ill, one who lived halfway across the country. More followed for other reasons – for those going off to college. (A cozy cover for late night study and a connection to those who love them).
Prayer heals!
Someone made me a beautiful prayer shawl about 5 years ago. I didn’t have a physical illness, but I was going through a difficult season of life. The shawl gave me such comfort that I learned to knit so I could make one for someone else.