Prayer is a powerful tool that God has provided for us.  But can you touch a prayer?  Can you pull it close and feel its warmth and comfort?  How many times has someone said to you “I’ll keep you in my prayers” and you wonder if they did?  Well, you can answer these questions with a definite “yes” if it is part of a Prayer Quilt!

So many times when we hear that someone is either ill or experiencing difficulties, we offer our prayers.  The Prayer Quilt Ministry is a way to combine the gift of a quilt with the gift of prayer for someone in need.  This is a meaningful way to reach out to others in prayer when it seems there is nothing we can do to help.  What better way to help someone in need than with the power of prayer.

The Prayer Quilt Ministry is an interfaith outreach ministry.  This ministry is currently being offered in Methodist, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Catholic, and interdenominational churches across the U.S. including Hawaii and at least four other countries.

The purpose of the Prayer Quilt Ministry is not to make and distribute quilts, but to promote prayer through the use of quilts.  The quilt is simply the prayer carrier.  This is not just a gift of a quilt—it is a gift of love and prayer. It is a statement of faith in God and in His power to comfort, strengthen, and heal.  As a special gift of love, the quilts can be made for sick babies, for adults, teenagers, and children facing health-related problems, or for anyone facing a personal crisis.  There are many circumstances when the gift of a Prayer Quilt is appropriate, as each quilt is done for someone in special need of prayer.  However, a prayer quilt is not appropriate as a congratulatory item.

Many Prayer Quilt Ministries are organized under the auspices of Prayers & Squares, a non-denominational organization which provides support, suggestions, and advice, as well as being a source of labels and other supplies.  Prayers & Squares was founded in 1992 at Hope United Methodist Church in Rancho Bernardo, CA.

In May 2008 Wesley’s Prayer Quilt Ministry was initiated by Sunni Bond Winkler, who had experienced a similar program at St. Andrew by-the-Sea UMC, Hilton Head Island, SC, which she attends when she is wintering on the Island.  This program had been run for six years by Daisy Sulyk who was a great source of information and suggestions as we got started.  Wesley is Member #787 of Prayers & Squares (www.PrayerQuilt.org).

Knowing that it was necessary to have quilts in inventory before announcing the ministry to the members of Wesley, Sunni recruited ladies in the congregation to help her make these “whole-cloth” quilts.  The first to volunteer was Carol Strong.  Others who have made quilts for Wesley’s ministry include Wanda Farmer, Connie Pence, Jane Brill, Mary Chicchirichi, Charlotte Webster, Phyllis Kirkman, Julie Savia, Joann Bingham, Flor Rojas,  Mary Ann Burks, and Sandra Bowles.

There are Three Commandments that must be adhered to in a Prayer Quilt Ministry that is part of Prayers & Squares:

1. The Prayers & Squares motto is “It’s not about the quilt, it’s all about the prayers.”  The goal is to encourage and involve as many people as possible to participate in the prayer effort, not merely to make and give away quilts.
2. Before preparing a prayer quilt for an individual, that person must have agreed to accept the gift of prayer in the form of a quilt.  In the case of a child, or if the person in need of prayers in need of prayers is unable to communicate, a loved one may do this.  We also would like to know how to best direct prayers for that person.
3. No payment can ever be accepted for a prayer quilt.  It cannot be sold; it is a gift.  Neither the person who receives the quilt, nor the person who requests the quilt for another should be obligated to the Prayer Quilt Ministry in any way.

This ministry relies on donations and other fund-raising events.  In getting started at Wesley, we had an “angel” who agreed to furnish all the necessary supplies for the ministry for one year.  We also received donations of fabric from several members of Wesley as well as the donation of several bedsize quilts which could be cut down to the appropriate size and re-used.  Of utmost importance is the prayer support of the congregation.

As stated previously, prayer quilts are given to those persons in physical, emotional, or spiritual crisis.  We do not make judgments concerning either the validity of a request or whether someone is “deserving”.  God’s grace is available to all.

Adult and teen quilts are 45” x 60” while baby/children quilts are 45” x 45”.  While we generally make “whole-cloth” quilts, that is, the front is one piece of fabric (usually in a colorful pattern) and the back is another piece of fabric (either a solid color or a complementary pattern), we have created some quilts that are “patch-work” in nature.  We have also made some quilts using pre-quilted double-sided fabric, but these are not as fluffy and cuddly as those made using the poly-fil.

These prayer quilts are not actually quilted, but rather are held together by multiple threads which are attached to the quilt, leaving two long strands for the formation of a double knot as a prayer is said for the recipient.  A quilt rack which will hold two quilts was donated to Wesley in the fall of 2008; in addition, we use the front pew dividers, and, if necessary, the altar rail (except on Communion Sunday).

Our first quilt was in the sanctuary for prayers and knots on July 7, 2008.  By the end of 2008, we had distributed 45 quilts, a wonderful beginning for a ministry that can mean so much to so many, not only the recipients of the prayer quilts, but also the members of the congregation who participate in the prayers and knots.  We have also made available “Military Prayer Squares” which have a patriotic theme and are small enough that active-duty personnel can put them in their helmets or inside their shirts to remind them that family and friends are praying for their safety as they defend our country, whether they are state-side or overseas.  The quilts and prayer squares have been sent to locations throughout the United States and overseas as well.

In April 2009, another phase of this ministry was introduced in the form of a “personal prayer reminder”. Personal Prayer Reminders are a way for your family and friends to know that you have said a special prayer for them and that they are always in your prayers. It is also a way for you to be reminded that someone has prayed for you. These small purse/pocket-size pieces of fabric with ties can be given to anyone you wish. Tell that person that you know they are having a difficult time with health….personal issues, whatever, or simply that you want them to know you care about them. Say a prayer, tie a knot, and now the individual has something in their possession to constantly remind them of your prayer. You can ask the person to say a prayer for you and tie a knot. Isn’t it a wonderful thing to be able to reach into your pocket or your purse and “feel” a prayer! A smaller version of our Prayer Quilts, these are available in the narthex each Sunday in fabrics for men or women, boys or girls, and in various shapes and sizes. Please help yourself to as many as you wish! God bless!

If anyone is interested in joining Sunni Winkler, Carol Strong, and Sandra Bowles in making prayer quilts, please contact Sunni at 703-848-2663 or prayer.quilt@wesleyvienna.com.  The making of prayer quilts is a constantly ongoing activity.

If you desire a prayer quilt for yourself, a family member, a friend, a neighbor, a work colleague, or anyone, just remember Commandment #2, that is, be sure the recipient is a willing one, and contact Sunni at the phone number or e-mail previously given.  You can request a quilt in the recipient’s favorite color(s), but we cannot guarantee that request can be met—it will depend on what we have in inventory.

We have received strong support for this ministry from our minister, Ray Brill.  Rev. Ray feels, as do we, that a request should be met as soon as possible, and so we try to see that a prayer quilt is in the sanctuary the very next Sunday after a request is made.  We prefer to be able to have information in the bulletin about each request, and so it is best if we can have any requests by Thursday of a given week; however, we take last-minute requests as well.

We are also fortunate to have the assistance of Dave and Mary Ann Burks who make sure quilts are in the sanctuary in a timely fashion when our lead coordinator is unavailable to do so.  Without such support and the ongoing interest of dedicated quiltmakers, this ministry could not continue.