Blanket Cards

Dear blanket recipient,

This blanket has been donated by Love Fulfilled Prayer Blanket Ministry in memory of my dad, Charles Edward Gutrick. Sickness is not something the Lord wants us to have to endure but some of us will. I believe in the power of prayer and that the Lord answers our prayers. It might not always be the answer we hope for but know that God does answer and you are not alone. He is there to help you endure your circumstances and to give you peace; all you have to do is ask him.

The week before Christmas was very hard for us seeing my dad in ICU helpless and not being able to do much else besides stay by his side and pray to the good Lord for his will to be done. Yes, our hearts were heavy but we knew we served a wonderful God. What touched me were the two women from Pastoral Care who spoke with us and prayed with us at my dad's bedside. Marcy had a conversation with my dad that she relayed to us which gave us comfort before and even more after his passing. Maggie's time, concern, and prayers helped us and let us know that we were not alone. I could not help but be touched in my heart. Maggie also covered my dad in a prayer blanket that someone crocheted. I remember fixing the blanket over daddy and thinking to myself, "What a comforting gift, a prayer blanket." It was a reminder that someone else believed in the power of prayer as we did and they went a step further in covering him with the blanket as if they were symbolically blanketing him in prayer.

When my dad passed at Methodist Hospital on December 19, 2013, I prayed over him with my mom and daughters saying, "Daddy, I am going to make a prayer blanket and give it back in your name just like the one you're covered in now." I began collecting blankets and yarn for future blankets that I would make and donate to hospitals in his name. So this blanket, I give to you with hope that God will be with your loved one, that his will be done, and that he will give you peace in the midst of what you are going through right now. In Jesus name, Amen.

Love in Christ, Sherri C. Walker

Scriptures to read:

Matthew 6:9-13 -After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

James 5:13-14- Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Psalm 23 -The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.