Prayer Shawls
Here at DulceBella Designs, my mission is to encourage, uplift, bless, and pray for each visitor. In John 17, Jesus sets an example for us to pray for one another. A prayer shawl ministry reaches out to others who are hurting, suffering, discouraged or going through a difficult time. The beauty and faith of a crochet prayer shawls ministry is touching the lives of others and letting God use your talent for His glory.
Shawls … made for centuries universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, 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…” Janet Severi Bristow.
Creating prayer shawls for those who are in need of blessings, comfort, strength, wisdom, healing, and protection not only benefits the recipient, but also the giver. But, let’s not limit the power of prayer and the gift of the shawl to just comfort, protection, and healing. The power of praise and thanksgiving through prayer is also needed. A prayer shawl given in times of celebration and thanksgiving, like celebrating a graduate, a new marriage, or the birth of a new baby, also expresses to the recipient that we care.
Prayer Shawls for healing, comfort, loss, unity, and forgiveness
Typically, we gift prayer shawls for those who are hurting in one way or another. People hurt because of physical pain from illness or injury, the loss of a loved one, or emotional hurt inflicted by another. Hurt not only damages the physical aspect of a person, but the emotional, spiritual, and mental aspects of oneself. Through the power of prayer and the presenting of a prayer shawl, we can ease the discomfort of that pain. In James 5:16 it says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR HEALING
One of the most commonly thought of times to share a prayer shawl is when someone is in need of healing. These patterns bring warmth and comfort to those suffering from pain or injury. They remind those seeking the healing power of God that He will never leave nor forsaken them. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR THE HEALING OF CANCER
Cancer has affected each of us in one way or another. Whether doctors diagnoise you with a form of cancer, you have lost a loved one from cancer, or a family member or friend currently suffers from cancer, each one of us finds it all too real. Cancer affects and touches each of us in some way or another. God calls his people to lift others up, for He hears the cries of His people.
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR LOSS, COMFORT AND PEACE
Another common time prayers are lifted up is in the event of the loss of a loved one. We seek God’s mercy, grace, and peace to be bestode upon the mourning loved ones. Lossing someone dear to us can crush one’s spirit, bring on depression, or… Receiving a prayer shawl brings comfort and peace to the recipient. The warm, embrace of that shawl around one’s shoulders gives a sense that God is there wrapping His arms around them. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed spirit” Psalms 34:18
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR FORGIVENESS
It is unfortunate that people hurt people. Sometimes we hurt unintenionally, while other times one intends to hurt. Either way, God instructs us to forgive even as we have been forgiven. People often times struggle with forgiveness. A shawl, blessed with the power of prayer, comforts one hurt by another, giving them the continued strength needed to forgive. God does not expect us to forgive in our own strength, but through His power. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR UNITY
Unity is important in many aspects of life. Unity is needed for a team to play a sport, for a church to spread the Gospel, for a family to stay together, or for a country to survive and prosper. Our ultimate unity is with Christ, as He is the glue that provides unity. When praying for unity we are praying for His guidance. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” Colossians 3:14.
Prayer Shawls for Special People
God calls us to pray for each other. He demands that we lift each other up daily, whether it be your child, parent, grandparent, or your local police officer, firefighter, or EMT. God calls us to lift them up in prayer daily. Through the gift of a prayer and prayer shawl, these special people in our lives and community can feel the love of God and the appreciation that we have for what they do for us.
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR SPECIFIC FAMILY MEMBERS
Family is also sacred to God. It is our duty to protect, guide, teach, and strengthen the family unit.
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR THOSE WHO PROTECT
God has ask that we protect ourselves from evil. We have people in our lives that take on this responsibilty in a greater role. Police officers, firemen, military personel, and EMTs are some of those people who haven taken this responsibilty to another level. They risk their lives daily to protect the lives of others, both friends and family, as well as total strangers. It is important that we recognize, honor, and pray over these protectors, asking God to protect them as they protect us. ” There’s no greater gift than love that he lay down his life for another” John 15:13.
Prayer Shawls for Blessings and Thanksgivings
In I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 God says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” So let us not forget to give prayers of thanksgiving. Prayer shawls with a prayer card is a great way to celebrate the joyous occassions throughout life. In James 1:17 God says every good and perfect gift is from above, so let us praise him for those wonderful gifts through prayer.
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR THE GRADUATE
Graduation is a great time of celebration. It celebrates the academic and extra curricular accomplishemts of the a son or daughter. As parents, we are filled with excitment, yet have concerns about their future and how he/she will handle being out in the world on their own. This is one of those times in which we give praise and thanksgiving. Sending them off with a Prayer Shawl, asking for protection, strength, courage, and guidance not only put the parents at ease, but also gives the student a refuge to seek when they are alone. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11.
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR MARRIAGE
Marriage is a scared union between man and woman. It is a time of celebration, for two people are coming together as one, for a life time. In today’s soceity, we do not hold it to be as sacred as God had intended. Therefore, many marriages fall apart and end, leaving families broken and hurt. If more marriages were showered with love and prayer, they would be come stronger. We have the opportunity to shower them with prayer through the gift of a prayer shawl. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh” Matthew 19:5.
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR NEW LIFE
Celebrating a new life coming into the world brings much joy and excitement! God wants us to include Him in the celebration of life, for He, afterall, is the One and only Creator of life! But with this new life, comes lots of new responibilities, routines, and challenges. No matter how much preparation new parents take, a couple can never be fully prepared for the responsibility of raising a child to love God. Many times the joy and excitement turns into fear and frustration. God teaches us to bring up our children knowing Him. This is one of the most important roles of parents. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6.
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR FRIENDSHIP
God places friends in our lives for various reasons. Some friends are there only for a short time, while others last a life time. God uses the people in our lives to help us grow and change. He also uses them to guide us down a particular path. “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul” Proverbs 27:9.
PRAYER SHAWL PATTERNS FOR LOVE
God instructs us to love one another as He first loved us. I John describes how God firstloved us and that shall be our example to love one another. When we focus on God’s love for us, it is easier for us to love others. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” I John 4:7-8. He also describes in I Corinthains 13:4-6, what true love looks like. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
