Prayer Shawl Ministry

“Shawls… made for centuries universal and embracing,
symbolic of an… unconditionally loving, God.
They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace,
mother, hug, shelter and beautify.
Those who have received these shawls have been
uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to
fly above their troubles…”
Written in 1998 by: Janet Severi Bristow
Words of the Prayer Shawl Ministry
Making a Prayer Shawl
We like to keep our cabinet stocked with prayer shawls for anyone who is facing hard times and could use a reminder that they are loved and thought of. If you know how to knit or crochet (or are interested in learning—there are lots of Youtube videos to get you started), please consider making a shawl or two for our cabinet.
There is no one specific pattern to use for prayer shawls. If you do an internet search you will find many, many different options to choose from, from very basic designs to more intricate designs, rectangular or triangular. Feel free to choose one that speaks to you and pull yarn from the cabinet or use your own. The most significant part of a prayer shawl is the thoughts and prayers that are part of making it and shared with others before gifting it. You can pray your own prayer especially for the recipient or you can choose from a variety of prayers specific for this ministry found at these sites:
- https://prayerist.com/prayer/prayershawl
- https://shawlministry.com/prayers.htm
- https://praypedia.com/prayer/prayershawl.html
Pattern Options:
Knit:
- The Original Prayer Shawl https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-original-prayer-shawl-knit
- Family Dinner Night Prayer Shawl https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52368347e4b06413e74e02e0/t/5abaeaee1ae6cf78143fbebe/1522199279818/Alice%27s+Embrace+-++Family+Dinner+Night+-+Prayer+Shawl.pdf
- Slip Stitch Prayer Shawl https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/slip-stitch-prayer-shawl
- Journey Prayer Shawl https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52368347e4b06413e74e02e0/t/592608ef29687fab3eb91836/1495664880438/Alice%27s+Embrace+-++Journey+-+Prayer+Shawl.pdf
- Lacy Prayer Shawl (crochet edging) https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacy-prayer-shawl-2
Crochet:
- Basic Prayer Shawl https://discover.hubpages.com/art/How-To-Crochet-A-Prayer-Shawl
- Cascading Shells Shawl https://www.madeinamericayarns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CascadingShells.pdf
- Amazing Grace Prayer Shawl https://beatriceryandesigns.com/2013/10/21/amazing-grace-prayer-shawl-free-crochet-pattern/
- XO Prayer Shawl https://www.skiptomylou.org/xo-prayer-shawl-pattern/
Prayer of Blessing for Completed Shawl:
“May God’s grace be upon this shawl, warming, comforting, enfolding, and embracing,
May this mantle be a safe haven…a sacred place of security and well-being,
Sustaining and embracing in good times as well as difficult ones.
May the one who receives this shawl be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace,
and wrapped in love.”
More in NMC Blog
January 29, 2025
Prayer Shawl MinistryJanuary 14, 2025
New Beginnings - 2025August 21, 2024
Let’s talk politics…