In October 2005, I found myself seeking purpose— an acceptable way to spend my time. Six years earlier, my husband had accepted a job, carrying us from the capital city of North Carolina to Wingate, North Carolina, a small university town outside Charlotte. 

It was a massive change. I had been working as a commercial real estate broker in Raleigh. In that profession, my thoughts were consumed by my clients, properties, and negotiations, and truthfully, it was satisfying. From that, I went on to being a stay-at-home wife, which seriously challenged my Type A personality. 

I took up knitting, something that had long been absent from my list of activities. In the final months of 1999, I made six sweaters to give as Christmas gifts. 

Afterwards, I wanted to keep knitting. But seriously, how many sweaters, scarves, lap robes and hats does one person need?

In September of 2005, I happened upon an article explaining the concept of a prayer shawl ministry. The idea was that a shawl– lap robe, scarf or hat– would be knitted or crocheted. While it was being created, the person knitting would be in prayer for the recipient whose shoulders that shawl would eventually cover. They would do this even if they didn’t know who the recipient would be. 

They may have a cancer diagnosis, be grieved over losing a spouse or loved one, expecting a baby, or simply be in physical, mental or spiritual need. 

When the shawl is gifted, a note accompanies it, communicating that they were being wrapped in prayer and love– a hug from God.  The recipient will likely never know who made the shawl. But they will know they are covered in love and prayer.

I liked the idea. It spoke to my sense of how God’s spirit works and was a means of keeping my hands and mind busy. It is giving to others and sharing kindness. It was a win-win.

In typical form, I identified people in our little church to be recipients of my handiwork. I figured if no one else would join me, I could do it myself— one shawl at a time.  I went shopping for beautiful, soft (and expensive) yarn to begin my first prayer shawl.

I submitted a note for the church newsletter asking if anyone would be interested in joining. To my astonishment, some of those I had identified as possible prayer shawl recipients were knitters who wanted to participate. 

They didn’t want a shawl, they wanted to make them for others! They wanted to be a part of a mission effort that could be done from the comfort of their homes. I couldn’t believe it. 

Then, a precious older friend who was not a knitter asked how to join this ministry. I thought about it and called her back.

“How would you like to be the administrator of the Prayer Shawl Ministry of Wingate Baptist Church?” I asked her.  When she realized it meant organizing our meetings, delivering and mailing shawls, and calling participants about meeting locations and times, she said that was perfect for her.

The first prayer shawl went to a Wingate resident named Mildred, who wrote the following note:  “To your wonderful prayer shawl group: I am so honored to receive your prayer shawl. It’s beautiful! I will especially enjoy wearing it during my 3-hour chemo treatments in a very cool room. Thank you so much for your kindness and all your prayers. I am grateful for your love and concerns and prayers on my behalf. Love, Mildred (October 16, 2005).”

One rainy evening, I received a call that a member of Wingate Baptist Church had lost her son in a terrible automobile accident. We quickly wrapped up a shawl and took it to her. 

She was in tears as she held it close around her. We learned later that she slept with the shawl every night. 

At the funeral I was brought to tears when she walked in wearing that shawl. 

She wrote:  “I really don’t know how to say what I want to tell you…other than to say that when I am wrapped in my shawl, what love and comfort I feel. Knowing the love and prayer that goes into every stitch made, that hands are laid on and prayers lifted over each shawl assures the receiver of the love not only of friends but of God. May God continue to bless this ministry.”

One of the ladies in the church wrote:  “My head thought it understood your ministry. My head appreciated your skill and devotion to your craft; my head recognized your work and the time involved in making the shawls. What my head did not know was the comfort that your shawls bring when the head does not hurt but the heart does. So, from my heart, I am so thankful for your ministry. Your shawl is helping my heart heal. Thank you. Thank you.”

The pastor of Wingate Baptist was very supportive of this ministry.

One afternoon, as his adult son finished a round of golf and was getting in his car, he was brutally attacked. His injuries were so severe, he was hospitalized in ICU. The prayer shawl group immediately sent him an afghan. 

The pastor was moved to tears when he visited the hospital to find his daughter lying beside her brother, covering them both with the afghan. His words to the group were that one never wants to be the recipient of one of our offerings, but it became a blessing beyond measure when they were.

A friend from the Greensboro area asked us to send a prayer shawl to her good friend who was trying to adopt a child from a third-world country. We sent the shawl with a note of encouragement. 

Later, we heard from this recipient that the adoption had been delayed. During that time, her husband had decided to divorce her.

She went to see the child and covered him with the prayer shawl. She assured him that the adoption would happen and returned home to use that shawl to wrap around her shoulders whenever she began to feel depressed. Her husband left her, but the shawl encouraged her. 

The adoption happened and joy filled her life. She told us the prayer shawl had been a lifeline and that she felt the prayers knit into it every time she touched it.

We never expected the little ministry’s impact on so many’s lives. 

That was 19 years ago. Since then, the Wingate Prayer Shawl Ministry has made and distributed more than 900 shawls. They are still going strong. 

Only two of the original members are still in the group. Some have passed or moved away. Some who moved have started new groups in different churches and towns.  

The hug from God goes on. The blessing of the prayer shawls continues. 

To God be the glory!

This story is submitted by Carol Boseman Taylor, author of I Promise. Rejoice!—a devotional book published by Nurturing Faith Publishing and available through Good Faith Media.