It’s been a busy fall for women across the church: retreats, conventions, gatherings and more. I’ve always thought that if you can walk away from an event with at least one new idea it’s been a productive time together in community. So, today I’m sharing one idea. Perhaps it will inspire a new ministry for you.
I first saw prayer squares at the Ninth Triennial Gathering where the women of the Northeastern Minnesota Synodical Women’s Organization (SWO) gave them out. When I visited the Eastern North Dakota SWO convention in September I picked up directions for both the knit and crochet version of the prayer squares. And just this past weekend, prayer squares were a dinner favor at the New England SWO convention.
So what’s a prayer square? It’s a piece of knitted or crocheted cloth, less than 5 or so inches square that can function as a small version of prayer shawl–made in prayer, with prayer, for prayer (as we say in my congregation’s prayer shawl ministry). Placed in a pocket or backpack or purse, the prayer square serves as a reminder: a reminder to pause and prayer and also a reminder that someone has already prayed for you. Download the directions for prayer squares here.
What new idea did you encounter this fall? All who read this blog want to know!
This adapted Throwback Thursday blog by Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director of Women of the ELCA, first ran in October 2014 as “Fall findings.” It’s been one of our most popular blogs.
reply
retweet
favorite
My sister and I would love to be part of this ministry. How do we join?
It’s all local. You can start knitting or crocheting and look for local outlets. Start in your congregation and just give away the squares. Invite others to make squares too.
I crochet would live to join this ministry! Loy of different color yarn!
Lord of Life – Schaumburg has had these available for anyone for a number of years. Thank you to those who do this kind of handiwork.
lovely idea for prayer- thanks for sharing
In my congregation, we fill a basket with prayer squares and have them available in our fellowship hall with a help-yourself-kind-of message. With all the people coming in and out of our building (different groups who use the building beyond our own congregants), we are constantly refilling the basket. It’s such a simple outreach tool that seems to touch many people.
And for those looking for a pattern, there’s a link in the blog. But you can easily type in “prayer square patterns” in your search engine and all kinds of patterns will show up.
I was gifted a prayer square during my cancer journey. I tied it to my Kindle which was with me alot. I’m surprised that I didn’t put a hole in my square as much as I rubbed it in prayer. I still have the square on my Kindle.