Can you touch a prayer? Can you pull it close and feel its comfort? You can if it's part of a prayer quilt.

So often we hear of someone in our Covenant Community who is suffering in body or mind and we offer them our prayers. The gift of a prayer quilt is a tangible reminder of those prayers that the recipient can see, touch and wrap themselves up in.

The idea behind these quilts is simple, yet powerful. A heavy thread is used to take stitches through the quilt layers, and the ends are left free to be tied with a square knot. As each knot is tied, a silent prayer is offered for someone in need of comfort or healing- someone who has asked the members of our Covenant Community to pray for them. The quilt is then given to that person. What makes each quilt so special is not the pattern, color or workmanship, but the fact that prayer is symbolically tied into each one. These comforters are a statement of faith, and a testimony to our belief in God and in the power of prayer.

Prayers & Squares, an interfaith outreach ministry that offers support and guidance to over 900 Prayer Quilt Ministries worldwide, was started in 1992 at Hope United Methodist Church in Rancho Bernardo, CA. St. David's is Member #916 of Prayers & Squares (www.prayerQuilt.org).

As a chapter of Prayers & Squares, our Prayer Quilt Ministry agrees to adhere to the Prayers & Squares Three Commandments:

1. Remember the Prayers & Squares Motto: “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 tying 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 is unable to communicate, a loved one may do this. We would also like to know how best to 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 a quilt for another should be obligated to the Prayer Quilt Ministry in anyway.

Adult and teen quilts are approximately 42”x 54” while baby/children quilts are 28” x 28”. If you would like to request a prayer quilt for yourself, a family member, Covenant Group member or any member of our Covenant Community who is in need of comfort or healing, please be mindful of Commandment #2, that is, to be sure the recipient is a willing one, and contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone (703)771-8887 or contact the church office. If possible, please give at least 1 week notice to make the quilt and set arrangements for tying of the quilt on Sunday morning.

In addition to prayer quilts, the Prayer Quilt Ministry also has available 12” Prayer Squares. These are available in situations where a prayer quilt has not been requested, but we know the individual is in need of prayer, or when time is a factor. These are not presented during service on Sunday morning for tying by the congregation, but rather can be tied by members of a Covenant Group, Prayer Team members, Church Staff, family and friends, or even left wholly or partially untied so that the recipient can ask family and friends to tie prayers into the square. As of September 2009, we have given out 7 Prayer Squares and have heard from the recipients how touched they were to get them and still hold them close. There is a stack of untied 12” Prayer Squares available as needed in the Church Office. Please contact the office directly, or stop by the office to pick one up.

“Pocket Prayer Quilts”, small 4” quilts, each with a cross quilted inside, are available at the prayer table in the Narthex and also in the Church Office. Please help yourself to as many as you wish! God Bless! Each one is tagged with this sentiment:

“This Pocket Prayer Quilt was made especially for you to slip in
your pocket or purse. Throughout the day when your fingers touch
the cross that is tucked inside the quilt, be mindful of God's love and
grace for you. Keep it as a tangible symbol of God's peace, or if you
prefer, say a prayer for someone else and pass it along in the form of
this tiny gift.”

If you are interested in donating some of your time, talents, fabric or other supplies to the Prayer Quilt Ministry, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Whatever your hands find to do, do with your might. Ecclesiastes 9:10