Over the centuries, shawls have come to symbolize shelter, peace and spiritual sustenance. Since the inception of the Prayer Shawl Ministry in 1998, the members of this organization have lovingly donated their time and talents by creating hand-knitted and crocheted shawls, filled with the power of prayer, for those in need.

• Free Crochet Pattern: Homespun Prayer Shawl - Healing Shawl

• Free Knitting or Crochet Pattern: Prayer Shawl - Healing Shawl

The blessing of the Prayer Shawl provides healing and comfort to the sick, the lonely and the elderly, or shares in the accomplishment of the graduate, newlywed, and newborn. Like all acts of generosity, the presentation of a Prayer Shawl enriches the giver as well as the recipient.

Card Download Instructions:

Click any link below to download free note card designs to add that special touch to your prayer shawl.  The cards are in the format of a Microsoft Word document.  Use the blank template and you'll find your message is formatted to print at exactly the right place on the inside of the card! Tree of Life design (2 cards) Shared Warmth design (2 cards) One card of each design Blank template (Use this to format your sentiments for the inside of your cards)

Card design courtesy of Michelle Edwards1

Please wear this shawl knowing that it was knit with my sympathies for what you've been through as well as with my hopes for your future happiness.

I send this shawl with the hope expressed by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper that "the shadows bear the promise of a brighter coming day." May your shadows soon turn bright.

This shawl was knitted with my deepest sympathy for what you have lost, along with my most fervent hopes for a brighter tomorrow.

I send you this shawl as one member of the human family to another. I am as grieved by your losses as if you were my sister. I am also full of hope for your future -- may it bring you all that you need and more besides.

May you wear this shawl to comfort you and keep you warm as you face the future -- a future I hope will bring you security and happiness.

Please accept this shawl as the symbol of my sympathy and concern for your troubles. May it keep you warm as you head into "a brighter coming day."

Like so many others in this country, I grieve for what you have been through. I hope this shawl will warm you inside as well as out, knowing that others care so much about you.

Do's

• Express your sorrow or concern or sympathy for the person's plight in a somewhat unemotional way. To talk too much about how bad YOU feel minimizes the other person's feeling. It is the other person's tragedy, not ours.

• Mention the hopes for their future in some realistic way. Things will probably NOT be made "all better" very soon, but one can look forward.

Don'ts

• Do not give any advice ("Be strong" or "Keep your eyes on the future") or in any way tell or suggest how the other person should cope.

• Do not catastrophize. Although this has indeed been a catastrophe, it does no good to say how truly dreadful things are; the other person knows this.

• Do not assume the other person shares your philosophical or religious feelings. It is better to keep to general feelings such as sympathy and concern.

• Do not use clichés such as "Every cloud has a silver lining" or "Everything has a purpose" or "This was obviously meant to be." These are not comforting to people in distress.