Baby Prayer Blankets

We are pleased that you have decided to start a Blanket Ministry with your church, for we believe that families long to be encouraged in the spiritual nurture of their children from the beginning of each new life.

Children come into this world connected to God, from whom they have so recently arrived. The holiness of each child is this spiritual connection. You are becoming involved in a ministry which acknowledges the holiness of children and the fact that every child is a gift of God.

The Rev. Bob Wade, Fairmont Presbyterian Church, Dayton, Ohio, and his granddaughter with her prayer blanket.

The Baby Prayer Blanket Ministry is one which encourages parents to spend time with their infants in the presence of God, praying and enjoying God’s love, assurance and light.

The Baby Prayer Blanket booklet has a variety of suggestions for praying with a baby. It also offers an understanding of the relationship with God, out of which each of us is born, which is nurtured by prayer and a description of the Baby Prayer Blanket and Blessing.

The Baby Prayer Blanket is one which may be a gift of your ministry to new parents. It is suggested as the sacred space for prayer time with the baby. While preparing the space for prayer with the blanket, the parent begins to settle mind and spirit and turn toward a time of holiness – the acknowledgement of God’s presence in the growing parent/child relationship.

We suggest you pray for each person to whom you give a booklet and blanket. In providing this special gift you too begin a new relationship – with the receiving parent and infant. Keep track of those who are given blankets and try to check on them periodically. Let them tell you how they are doing. Offer to pray for them and their families. In this way, each family will be aware that they are special to someone who cared enough to help them start out well as the spiritual nurturers of their children.

Praying with Your Baby booklet – This booklet is available from The Blessing Center, free of charge. Contact info@blessingcenter.org .

A presentation copy of the booklet is available for a minimum $5.00 donation. These are suitable for including in gift bags. Contact info@blessingcenter.org for more information.

Baby blanket – Blankets can be made from a variety of materials. We have found that colorful fleece blankets with silky binding are preferred by those who give the blankets and the parents who receive them. In addition, they can be quickly and economically made by people in the church. (We have been delighted with the volunteers we have for this portion of the ministry!)

A Caring Coordinator – This is a person who will keep track of the program: arrange to have blankets made and given to members with new babies; take donations from people picking up a blanket for a non-member; copy and staple booklets; keep a list of receivers and donations.