Prayer Shawl Information
Prayer shawls are seen in varying contexts, depending upon the wearer of the shawl or the shawl creator. Some people perceive the prayer shawl as a garment given to those who seek comfort, while other prayer shawls are steeped in religious tradition and used in formal prayer. All prayer shawls, however, are inspirational and offer the hope for God's mercy to those who make them and those who wear them.
Other People Are Reading
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Tallit
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The Tallit is a Hebrew prayer shawl worn while praying in the morning, during the weekday prayers and on Jewish holy days. Worshipers drape the tallit over their heads and shoulders while praying. For this reason, it is known as a prayer shawl. The tasseled fringes, called tzitzit, are located at the corners of the shawl and represent God's commandments. The fringes are reminders to the Jewish people to obey the laws of God throughout each day.
Healing Shawl
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Prayer shawls bring comfort to those in need. The healing shawl is a prayer shawl that is crafted by charitable knitters whose goal is to offer thoughts of peace, hope and healing to those who suffer from various illnesses. The prayer shawl is sent to the sick person with a prayer card and words of comfort. While knitting the prayer shawl, prayers are recited for the recipient's physical healing and spiritual peace.
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Charity Shawl
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Prayer shawls are donated to the homeless. The charity shawls are knitted to be presented as gifts to those in need. Recipients of the charity shawl include people in homeless shelters, battered women shelters, those who are mourning the loss of a loved one, or to local charitable organizations. The charity prayer shawl offers encouragement to people suffering from physical and mental abuse. The recipients of the prayer shawls realize that they are not facing their troubles alone but are prayed for by many thoughtful people.
Special Occasion Shawls
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A baby wrapped in a prayer shawl for baptism Prayer shawls are often given for special occasions, such as: weddings, the birth of a baby, Christenings, anniversaries or engagements. These prayer shawls are for joyful occasions, offering blessings and prayers to the recipients. Many times, people who receive the prayer shawl continue the tradition by knitting one for someone else. The tradition of passing on God's blessing to others continues with each prayer shawl.
Prayer Shawl Blessing
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The prayer shawl blessing is the most important feature of knitting or crocheting a prayer shawl. The prayerful thoughts of the knitter are passed on to the person in need as the shawl is created. The art of knitting, holding the yarn in the hands, passing it over and through the needles while reciting prayers is a sacred form of meditation. Knitting the prayer shawl not only comforts the recipient but offers the creator of the shawl spiritual fulfillment and the joy of knowing her prayer shawl will give warmth and hope to those in need.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit hand and knitting image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com boy in a blanket 2 image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com Pobreza image by albahabla from Fotolia.com mother with baby in church image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
