A Prayer Shawl is a simple shawl created with love and prayer to be given to someone in need. When recipients use a shawl it envelopes them in warmth and prayers from the community of First Lutheran. Below are some answers to some frequently asked questions:
Who Are Prayer Shawls For?
There are no set guidelines for receiving a prayer shawl from the church. Often times, people of First Lutheran hear of someone with a particular need and that person sees that the one in need gets one. Sometimes a family member will ask if their loved one could have one. Prayer Shawls are given to people of all ages. Our hope is that anyone who is in need of prayer, hope, comfort and love of a community may have a shawl.
How Are The Prayer Shawls Made?
Prayer Shawls are knit or crocheted by people of First Lutheran. As they are being created, the craftsperson prays for the healing of the future recipient. In this way, prayer is literally woven into the shawl as it is made. There is a formal "Prayer for Healing" that is used and may be prayed with the recipient when the shawl is given. A sample pattern for knitting and for crocheting is on the back of this brochure.
How Can I Share In This Ministry?
If you would like to make Prayer Shawls, share in the next meeting of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. At these gatherings, knitters and crocheters gather for Bible study, to encourage one another and pray together, create shawls and share stories of the ministry. If you are interested in supporting this ministry, but don’t knit or crochet, you may give a monetary donation that will be put toward the purchase of yarn. If you would like to make a shawl, but don’t know how to knit or crochet, please come to one of the Prayer Shawl Ministry meetings and we will connect you with a mentor who can assist you in learning. If you would like to learn more about First Lutheran’s Prayer Shawl Ministry, contact the office. For more information about prayer shawl ministries, explore the website: www.shawlministry.com or the book Knitting Into the Mystery: A Guide to the Shawl-Knitting Ministry by Susan S. Jorgensen and Susan S. Izard.
How Are Prayer Shawls Given?
Since this is a new ministry at First Lutheran, we are still developing regular routines. We have a supply of Prayer Shawls available so that anyone who knows someone in need can select one and deliver it. When delivering the Prayer Shawl we suggest that the giver explain that the shawl was made with prayer and to also pray with the recipient. A "Prayer for Healing" card will be attached to each shawl for this purpose. A "Prayer Shawl Delivery" book is also available to fill out. This book allows us to keep track of and pray for prayer shawl recipients.
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In the beginning, creating God, you formed our being.
You knit us together in our mother’s womb.
To our flesh and blood you gave the breath of life.
O Loving One, renew us this day in your love.
Grant us life as gift of your faithfulness;
Grant us light to journey by;
Grant us hope to sustain us.
May this mantle be for us a sign of your healing presence.
May it warm us when we are weary;
May it surround us with ease of our suffering;
May it encircle us with caring when we are in pain.
O Christ who healed the broken in body and spirit,
Be with us and all who suffer this day.
Be with the doctors, nurses, technicians, chaplains and
All who care for the suffering.
Be with families and friends of those abiding with and
comforting those in need.
May your gentle, yet strong touch reach out to heal all
The broken and hurting people and places in our world.
(Adapted from a prayer by Cathleen O’Meara Murtha in Knitting Into the Mystery p.116)
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