5519 State Park Road - Fairway, Kansas - 913-262-1040
at the Shawnee Mission Parkway & Mission Road
at the Shawnee Mission Parkway & Mission Road
Prayer Shawl Ministry
How God Can Use Leftover Yarn
Prayer Shawl Ministry at Old Mission
By Michele Bowen
The shawls began, piece by piece. We would knit 7X9" pieces out of our leftovers and some 'Grammie' yarn. (Grammie LOVED yarn and when she died, there was LOTS of unused yarn). The crocheter in our group would take these pieces, arrange them in ways that made the shawls look like they were planned that way, and attach them to form a rectangular shawl. Little by little, we began making one piece shawls - and here we are, 2+ years later, still praying and knitting/crochetting. We finally got bins to house the shawls, and just when we seem to be running low on our supply, Father seems to know, and our inventory shoots up again.
Our shawls have been made from all colors and yarn types, in all shapes and sizes, and the recepients range in age from the pre-born to 95 year olds. Homespun brand makes the softest shawls - but it's also one of the more expensive yarns and we don't require it's use. This is a volunteer ministry and most of us buy our own yarn. We do have people who donate yarn, as well as people who donate money to our ministry, and when that happens, we try and hit the sales on Homespun brand.
We've encouraged the children of the church to join us in this ministry by making fleece tie blankets to give to other kids. As they cut and tie the knots, they say a prayer over each knot they tie. Two such tie blankets went to brothers who were both diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (one age 3 and one age 7) within months of one another. Children are all about something to hold onto - but no more so than grown-ups when times are difficult or challenging.
It never ceases to amaze us how these shawls have touched lives. We have a sack full of thank you's and emails from grateful receipients. The pastors come back with story after story about what an impact these shawls have on the lives of those who receive them. They tell of visiting people in the hospital and find them 'covered in prayer' with their shawls. One pregnant Mom who'd already lost one baby used to sleep with the shawl over her tummy when she got pregnant with her now healthy infant daughter. They tell stories about those who go into a procedure or a surgery, holding onto the shawl until they are unconcious; stories of comfort and peace the shawls bring when a loved one has died; stories of those who sleep with them or wear them while around the house. These shawls are something tangible for people to hold onto when their world is not quite right. It's tangible evidence that someone cares enough to pray for them; that their needs are being taken to the One who listens, hears, comforts, strengthens and heals.
I would encourage anyone who has a needlework group to begin in prayer. The rewards are many - too many to be written here. Prayer can move mountains and touch lives in ways untold. The shawl is something to hold onto when your world just isn't what you'd like it to be. It's evidence that Someone cares and is listening. It's awesome and we recommend it highly.