The Power of a Prayer Shawl

Last week I was informed that a family friend (Roy) had emergency surgery for a brain tumor. His daughter and son were planning to go to the hospital in Pittsburgh that weekend to visit him. I stopped at church that day and picked out a prayer shawl and dropped it off at his daughter’s house to take with them and gift to their father. At their visit, she sent me a photo of her father with the shawl draped over him and the biggest smile on his face. What a sight! I was certain gifting the shawl was well received. Then, a couple of days later, I received a voice message on Messenger from Roy. It was an emotional message thanking me for the shawl, saying it was “an inspiration all day and makes me feel wonderful.” Roy has some very difficult days ahead of him in treating this aggressive cancer, but I have no doubt the shawl provides him a spiritual connectedness to God and those who are praying for him, and will be a powerful part of his treatment.

Do you have a story to share about gifting a prayer shawl to someone? We’d love to hear it!