What is Prayer Shawl Ministry? The Prayer Shawl ministry was founded in America in 1998 by Vicky Galo and Janet Bristow (www.shawlministry.com). In their words: “Compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Many blessings are prayed into every shawl”.
A request for a shawl usually comes from a Minister or pastoral visitor, but can come from other members of the congregation if they feel an individual would feel supported by prayer in this form. The Prayer Shawls are seen as a tangible representation of ‘I will be praying for you’ or ‘I have been thinking about you’.
The reasons for requesting a shawl can range widely – from illness to celebration, from worrying or stressful circumstances to individuals rising to new challenges. The knitter is told something of the reason for the request, and pray for the intended recipient while knitting the shawl. The finished shawl is attractively wrapped and delivered to the recipient with a personalised prayer card. The church will periodically pray for the recipients (anonymously) during our intercessory prayers.
The recipients do not need to be members of this congregation as this is also a form of prayer outreach to the wider community.
Anyone interested in supporting this ministry is welcome to participate in a number of ways:-
- Volunteering to add their name to the list of knitters willing to knit or crochet a shawl*
- Donating money for the team to buy wool and materials for the shawls*. ( all shawls* are given as gifts)
- Praying for the makers and recipients of these prayer shawls*
(*prayer shawl is the generic name we are using, but this also includes, throws, scarfs, lap rugs and even socks; whatever is appropriate for the recipient, male or female.