Prayer Shawl Ministry

Also, see Prayer Shawl Ministry Home Page

Prayer Shawl Ministry Guidelines

Thank you for volunteering to make a prayer shawl. The following are guidelines to make a prayer shawl and a prayer you may say while knitting or crocheting.

Please knit or crochet when you are in a pleasant/happy/content mood. Let a place of happiness be your creative environment. With such a pleasant environment, the prayers for God's love to grant comfort, healing, and spiritual well-being will naturally weave into the shawl.

Suggested patterns:
The shawls should be large enough in size to wrap around a person approximately 24" by 68". (Note: please purchase soft yarns.)

For knitting:
Cast on 57 stitches and knit, knit stitch only, knit 3 skeins of yarn using size 11 or 13 needles, bind off - this will make a large rectangular wrap. Fringe is optional.

For crocheting:
Using K hook, Chain 57. Switch to J hook, ch 2, turn. Double crochet in 3rd chain from hook and in every chain stitch across chain row. *Ch 2, turn. Dc into every dc.* Repeat from * to *, to desired length (approximately 24" by 68") Finish off. Add fringe if desired.

Suggested prayer while creating the shawl:

Father, you gave the children of Israel the skills needed (Exodus 28:3) to make garments for Aaron and his sons to wear in their service as priests.

Thank you for giving me the ability to use my hands to make a prayer shawl to express the comfort of your everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). Please heal the recipient of this shawl (Numbers 12:13) and give medical helpers the wisdom and willingness to find and follow your plans for their lives and their patients' lives (James 1:5).

Thank you for the knowledge and generosity of the one who taught me this skill, empowering me to do this work with my hands, so that I am able to minister in your name to those in specific need of your healing presence (Ephesians 4:28).

Amen

(Below is a letter to be given with the shawl)

Dear Prayer Shawl recipient,

The shawl you have received has been created by Good Shepherd's Prayer Shawl Ministry. While making the shawl, the knitter/crocheter has said prayers to grant you comfort, healing, and spiritual well-being. These prayers have been interwoven in the shawl and when you wear the shawl, may the presence of God's gracious and loving arms be felt as the sincerest of hugs.

Prayer Shawl Prayer by Bette Shellhorn

Dear Heavenly Father,
you formed my being.
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
To my flesh and blood you gave the breath of life.
O Loving God, renew me this day in your love.
Grant me hope to sustain me.
May this prayer shawl be for me a sign of your healing presence;
May it warm me when I am weary;
May it surround me with comfort to ease my suffering;
May it encircle me with caring when I am in pain.
Oh Jesus Christ, who healed the broken in body and spirit,
be with me and all that suffer this day.
Be with doctors, nurses, technicians, and everyone who cares for the sick.
May your gentle yet strong healing touch reach out to heal all the broken and hurting people and places in our world.

Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for each new day.
I wear this prayer shawl and pray in Jesus' name.
Amen

Bless you,
Good Shepherd's Prayer Shawl Ministry

Back to Good Shepherd entry page

Copyright © 2000-2008 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, ELCA, Waukesha, Wisconsin.
If you have any questions or comments concerning this Web site, e-mail the webmaster, George Corliss, webmaster {at} goodshp.org.