Many people ask me what this ministry is all about. They question its intentions and why a donation is requested. Well, as everything else, the cost of yarn has risen and the cost goes directly back into the ministry to buy more speciality yarns!
All the prayer shawls are hand crafted with unique techniques and patterns! Usually folks knit or crochet prayer shawls. They do this solo or with a group of friends. The difference between a prayer shawl and other shawls is that each crafter infuses their work with prayers for the recipient. This is why completing a prayer request sheet is a vital step when you order your shawl.
My group takes the prayer shawls and anoints them with essential oils. Each oil is created using homemade recipes. God has gifted me with plenty of recipes. You can read about them in any of my backyard books. Some, videos are available on YouTube too.
These activities are directed by the Holy Spirit and soothes the crafter as they work. Moreover, it perhaps gives energy to the item itself, which is then gifted to a recipient who can feel the love and care that went into the piece.
Ways to Make Any Shawl Pattern a Prayer Shawl
Any knit or crochet shawl pattern can be a prayer shawl. It’s all in the process of crafting. Here’s how people make a shawl into a prayer shawl:
- Choose a prayer before beginning the craft project.
- Choose a project recipient as well. This might be a specific person that you know. Alternatively if you make prayer shawls for charity, then it might be a general person but try to picture them in your mind’s eye.
- Repeat the prayer before you begin crafting.
- Repeat the prayer aloud or in your mind as you stitch. This works best for knit and crochet shawl patterns that are repetitive and don’t require a lot of focus.
- When the piece is finished, gently fold it, reciting your prayer as you do.
- Some people choose to include a handwritten version of the prayer as a note when gifting a prayer shawl.
In other words, you simply turn your attention to the prayer as you craft. The idea is that you are spending your time and energy handcrafting a shawl for someone you care about. They can feel that intention when they receive the item. They know that you’ve been praying for them, which is comforting. And each time that they wrap the shawl around themselves, they feel that again.
You Can Make a Prayer Shawl for Yourself?
Well, I have! & You can too!
Here are five Bible verses that prove that God hears our prayers.
1. John 9:31 – “We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.”
2. 1 Peter 3:12 – “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
3. 1 John 5:15 – “And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”
4. Jeremiah 29:12-13; “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
5. Psalm 66:17-20 – “I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!”
We’ve talked a lot about making a knit or crochet prayer shawl for others. However, you can heal yourself through craft as well. If you’re going through a tough time, making your own prayer shawl is a great way to practice self-love, self-compassion, and gentleness with yourself. Each time that you sit down to craft the piece, infuse it with the messages of love, care, and wellness that you wish you felt even if you don’t feel them right now. Have conversation after conversation with God about what troubles you! He will love sitting with you. There is nothing like being in the presence of the Lord.
Finally, write a letter to yourself and a prayer message to God! Store the letters with the shawl, when it’s not in use; thus, reminding you of the message and it serves as proof God hears your prayer. Each time you wear the shall feel the reassurance of God wrapping His arms around you. God cares and loves for each one of us. He seeks a relationship with you and making a pray shawl can build this relationship.
