Prayer shawl knitting

Camy here, talking about knitting (yes, again!).

I’ve been hearing more and more about prayer shawls knitted for people. I have to admit, the concept interests me.

What I especially like about it is that if you know who you’re making the shawl for—or even if you don’t—as you knit, you pray that the person wearing it will feel God’s presence and hear His voice and find comfort.

I’m hesitant to make prayer shawls for my friends because honestly, would any of them actually use a shawl as they pray???

Maybe once or twice. And maybe in a dark closet. Because really, who grabs a shawl and throws it over them (or is it worn over their head?) just before the pastor’s prayer on Sunday?

Not in my church, anyway.

It also makes me wonder how many people have dedicated prayer times at home each day? I have a hard time carving out prayer time myself, and it’s usually about 10 or 15 minutes. Or it’s prayer in my head as I’m doing something else, like driving or walking or doing something mindless.

A prayer shawl seems like a nice concept, but I know I wouldn’t be able to easily fit it into my life, if at all. So would it fit into any of my friends’ lives, they who have children under the age of eighteen? Would it just be a waste of my time and money for the yarn (because a prayer shawl can take up a lot of yarn)?

What’s the purpose of a prayer shawl? To keep you warm as you pray? To give a sense of isolation from the rest of the world as you pray? To block out the world so you can focus on God?

Can anybody add to this weird conversation with myself?

Camy Tang lives in San Jose, California. She previously worked in biology research, and she is a staff worker for her church youth group. She runs the Story Sensei critique service, and her new Asian chick lit novel, Only Uni, is out now. Join her newsletter YahooGroup for monthly Christian fiction giveaways!

Comments

[Melinda Smith]

Prayer shawls are usually knit or crocheted for people with cancer. The person usually spends a lot of time at hospitals or treatment centers where it's cold. Plus, with all the drugs in their systems, their body chemistry changes & they're cold most of the time. Having a beautiful shawl to wrap up in that was made by someone who prayed for them while making it is such a comfort. I made one for my MIL last year while she was undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer.

[Camy Tang]

That makes sense! I didn't know that. Thanks, Melinda!
CAmy

[Tabitha]

I've struggled with the same thing. A friend wants a prayer shawl and I like the idea but who would use it.

Thanks Melinda for sharing the purpose of one.

[Melissa's Cozy Teacup]

I can't remember if I showed you this before or not. Here is a mini tea cozy. This lady knitted it with pins!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitpurr/326131475/

[Camy Tang]

OH MY GOSH THAT'S AMAZING!!! Thanks for posting the link!
Camy

[Cheryl Klarich]

Hi Camy. I was crocheting a really cute shawl in a lightweight pale green yarn and about halfway through I felt impressed that it was for a lovely young wife of an airforce special forces officer that I know. It helped that she happened to look like the model in the picture... I really enjoyed praying for this adorable couple as I finished the shawl. I explained in a note that there were no rules- that she could wear it with jeans or a sundress- or not... It turned out that cute.
Bottom line: I got so blessed and felt like the act of creating something for them was worth it. It was a prayer that I needed to release.