For nearly 10 years, prayer warriors and skilled crafters of the Houston Northwest Salvation Army church in Texas have been employing a ministry begun by another denomination.

“Prayers & Squares” was started in 1992 at the Hope United Methodist Church in San Diego, CA. In the 30 years since its inception, chapters have emerged all around the world- including quilters at the Houston Northwest Church who took up the ministry about a decade ago. The purpose of Prayers & Squares is to promote prayer and provide comfort through the construction and distribution of handmade quilts.

The way the ministry works is simple. Prayer requests are submitted, then a quilt is prepared with dozens of loose stings left across the stitching. One at a time, each quilt is placed on display in the church foyer until it’s deemed completed. On Sundays, the church family has the opportunity to learn about the prayer requests and then come and add a knot to the quilt. “As each knot is tied, a prayer is offered for the person in need.

The result is a beautiful quilt with many tiny knots, each symbolizing a prayer said for the recipient.

Scores of quilts have been given out as a source of hope for many going through cancer treatments, grieving the loss of a loved one, or those facing difficult circumstances.

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