The Prayer Blanket

While repairing my house, I slid off the roof, caught my foot in the ladder and hit the patio decking. I did not know if I had broken any bones, but I knew I was hurt. Ginger, my wife of 50 years, heard the thud and came running. I later learned that I had torn a tendon in my foot.

Before I had surgery, members of my church made a prayer blanket for me. When church members, friends and family prayed for me, they tied a knot along the edge of the prayer blanket. I took my prayer blanket to the hospital and asked my medical team to tie a prayer knot in my blanket. Some tied a braided knot. My surgeon tied a surgeon’s knot, used to tie stitches. Most people tied a granny knot. 

Some prayed for me aloud; others closed their eyes and prayed silently. A woman from El Salvador prayed in Spanish and cried as she prayed. Their prayers were uplifting. I could feel the spirit of the Lord moving with each tied knot. Sometimes, when I was feeling a lot of pain, I held the knots in the blanket, knowing that each knot represented someone’s prayer for me. My recovery will take nine months. During that time, I will continue to pray for those who prayed for me, counting each knot as I do.

Prayer: Dear God, give us the courage and desire to pray for others. Teach us to ‘pray without ceasing’. Amen