Prayer Cloth Ministry / Pocket Prayer Cloths

I came across this very interesting website today. The title of the site is Prayerfully Yours/Sending Troops Prayers ~ Prayer Cloth and Shawl Ministries: "Prayers you hold onto", http://www.prayerclothministry.com/. I had never heard of prayer cloths or pocket prayer cloths. Here is the history of this particular ministry:

"Prayer cloths originated as an old practice of spreading prayers that can be found throughout Christian history and in the Bible. Traditionally, prayer cloths were taken from the clothing of the saints and apostles, even Jesus Christ Himself. These prayer cloths or "handkerchiefs" were believed to have the power of Jesus flowing through them. In other scriptural beliefs, Jesus healed a multitude of sick and diseased people by simply allowing them to touch a piece of his clothes. One well-known Biblical story in Luke 8:40-48 tells of a sick lady who approaches Jesus, thinking "But if I touch the hem of His garment I shall be cured." And that's exactly what happened as Jesus felt His miraculous power flow through the garment to cure the woman. However, it is not the cloth that is responsible for the healing. Prayer cloths themselves are powerless. It is the faith of the Believer who receives the cloth that brings healing and comfort. That faith is in the power of prayer and ultimately in the healing power of God, symbolized by the cloth. Many prayer groups offer and sell prayer cloths as a simple cloth with holy oil applied to it. However, the Prayer Cloth Ministry is more similar to the prayer shawl ministries around the country. Given free of cost; prayer cloths, like prayer shawls, are made in the same manner with a prayer in every stitch, not bought or sold. Inspired by Acts 19:11-12, prayer cloths can be knitted, crocheted, loomed, or sewn.

Prayer cloths can be used in many different ways. You can place the prayer cloth on a special table and place prayer requests or pictures of those who are in need of prayers on the cloth. The prayer cloths may also be placed directly on the sick person or held while praying. Prayer cloths can be used to comfort the dying, the ill, those recovering from sickness, the aged, and the lonely and fearful. People needing spiritual comfort, going through depression , family difficulties, trials or tribulations can find comfort from receiving prayer cloths. They can even be given to mark special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries. Pocket prayer cloths are used in the same way but are made small enough to be tucked away into such places as wallets, purses, backpacks, pockets, and in the case of the military, in their helmets. I have even been told of patients facing surgery tucking a small prayer cloth in their hospital gown to be able to carry the prayers into surgery!" Source: Prayer Cloth & Shawl Ministries.

You might like to browse this website. There are patterns and stories, and nine other categories, all of which offer a clear insight into this blessed ministry.