Saturday, May 15, 2010

SPIRITUAL SUNDAY 2010 #7 - Prayer Shawl

I am once again participating in Spiritual Sundays. Go HERE to read other great Spiritual based posts.

My friend, Sandra, started a Prayer Shawl Ministry at our Church in February. Go here to read all about it. The main thrust of this Ministry is presenting Prayer Shawls, made by members of our Church, to sick & ill people who need healing. The very first one that Sandra made went to a young woman in our church who had just been diagnosed with stage IV liver cancer. To date 25 Prayer Shawls have been given out with many others in the process.

This is such a wonderful ministry and I wanted to participate and be part of it. As I was purchasing my loom and yarn the Lord impressed upon my heart that I was to make my first Shawls for my 4 children. Thank God none of them are ill or need physical healing but none of them are serving the Lord. I "knew" I was to pray for them as I made the shawls that they would return to the God of their Father and serve The Lord with all their heart, mind and soul.



Here is my first shawl and it was made for my 2nd daughter, Jacque. Many of you know that Jacque and her daughter (our oldest grand daughter), Jessica, lost everything in hurricane Katrina. They both now reside in Tulsa.



This is how the finished shawls are presented to the person receiving them. The card reads: "This Prayer Shawl was handmade and prayed over by the congregation of Coweta Assembly of God Church. It represents tangible evidence of prayer and love for you. We asked the Lord Jesus for you to receive His healing, His love, and His hope. As you wrap yourself in this shawl, may you find His comfort as it represents His arms around you. Isaiah 53:4-5 - Mark 5:25-34 You are invited for personal corporate prayer at Coweta Assembly of God, Coweta, Oklahoma and the phone #."


It took me 2 months to make this first shawl. I took it to my Tuesday night Bible Study class last week, along with my annointing oil, for this group of Third Day Sisters to pray over.


The card that will accompany these shawls to my children reads: "This Prayer Shawl was handmade and prayed over by your mother, Susan Errett Joyce, in 2010.
It represents tangible evidence of my prayer and love for you, my child. I ask my Lord Jesus for you to receive His healing, His love, and His hope. As you wrap yourself in this shawl, may you find His comfort as it represents His arms around you.Jeremiah 31:16-17 - Psalma 33:11 - Proverbs 22:6"



My second shawl, which is a solid burgandy red, is being made for my 1st daughter, Suzette. I started it two weeks ago and am more than 1/2 way finished.



Thank you for letting me share this wonderful Ministry with you. How many of you have similar ministries in your congregations? I would love to hear comments on your thoughts about this.




HAVE A BLESSED SABBATH


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21 comments:

Mari said...

This is a wonderful ministry and something our shurch does also. The person who makes the shawls prays for the person recieving it, then our prayer team meets and prays for the person again before it is presented. What a blessing to recieve something like this! And - it's a blessing to give too!

A Busy Single Mom said...

A great ministry!

Anonymous said...

A church with a prayer shawl ministry donates these to the residents of the skilled rehab center where I work. They have touched and blessed many people who are lonely or in pain.
It is a wonderful way to say, "Jesus loves you."

Sandra said...

I think your children are going to cherish these. They will be able to feel their mother's love everytime they pick the shawl up.

Musings of A Minister said...

Beautiful! Keep praying and encouraging prayer. God bless you and your ministry of love.

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful representation of your love for your kids. I know your heart. My mom's heart is heavy once again and longing for that intervention from the Lord that is so badly needed. I know He hears.

Yes, our church as a similar ministry. I'm pretty sure I would be of no use to it though on the crafting end ;)

Charlotte said...

What beautiful shawls, and what a beautiful ministry. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Blessings,
Charlotte

RCUBEs said...

What a big blessing it and how comforting it must be to the receiver! To know that the warmth that special shawl would give came from the hearts of the many prayer intercessors, heard by the good God we serve. God bless you and your ministry.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

these are really nice...In Jewish we have prayer shawls but it's for the men to wear.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Wonderful ministry you are partaking in. I pray that your prayers for your children will be answered. Have a beautiful Sunday.

Blessings,
Sandi

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

I think your prayed over and blessed shawls are a wonderful ministry.You made is beautifully. My ministry other than this Blog is by giving my professional services as a counsellor for free to whoever needs...and plenty come. God bless you.

michelle said...

what an example of love...

Fitter After 50 said...

The shawls are beautiful but the heart of the one who made them even more so.

Joan Hall said...

A precious gift - not only having a handmade shawl from their mother, made with love, but the gift of prayer.

Blessings,
Joan

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

I LOVE this idea! I think that it's so perfect that your going to make one for each of your grown children. It came out beautiful.
Blessings,
Ginger

Renee said...

What a wonderful ministry and what preciosu gifts for your children. Members of our congregation made a wool one for me that I use. God bless your work for Him..

Momma Roar said...

I think this is such a wonderful ministry and I've wanted to do something similar, but I cannot knit fast enough to finish one. I never thought about using a loom. I'd love to see a picture of your loom or if you could just email me the info of what brand and where you purchased it, that would be so appreciated.

Susan B said...

Thank you for sharing about this wonderful ministry. My church has a prayer shawl ministry also. Your shawls are beautiful. Your children will surely treasure them.

Dawn said...

What a wonderful ministry and beautiful shawls. I trust the impact on your children will be life changing!

retha said...

Would like to know how your daughter received this. And looking forward to hearing about the changes you look are looking to see.

Evening Shawls said...

The shawls looks beautiful. I'm sure they really touch the ill and the sick that you're donating them too and let them know they're loved.