A few ladies started an informal quilting group at their church in 1992 in Ranch Bernardo. Their only purpose was to have fun making quilts together. Then, a group member’s 2-year-old grandson ended up in a coma following heart surgery. His doctors were very pessimistic about his chances for recovery. The ladies decided to make a quilt for him. With no time to quilt it, the layers were tied together as silent prayers were said for him. “There must be a prayer tied with each knot” someone remarked. The group’s first prayer quilt was rushed to the hospital. Even before he was fully conscious, his little hands were touching the knots on his quilt. After coming out of the coma, the quilt became so important to his recovery that doctors wrote in his medical chart that the quilt was not to leave his side. The Prayers and Squares Prayer Quilt Ministry was born.

Prayers & Squares is an interfaith outreach organization that combines the gift of prayer with the gift of a hand-tied quilt. Unlike many other groups that make quilts for charitable causes, the purpose of Prayers & Squares is not to make and distribute quilts, but to promote prayer through the use of quilts. Our motto is: "It's not about the quilt; it's all about the prayers."

Each Knot Re[resents a Prayer

The idea behind these prayer quilts is simple. 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 – someone who has asked us to pray for them. The quilt is then given to that person. What makes each quilt unique 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.

If you would like to request a quilt you can stop by the Parish Office, or download the request form. To submit your request form or for more information about Prayer Quilt Ministry, contact MJ Heggeness at theheggs@hotmail.com.