It’s a simple concept, but organizers are hopeful that their Lenten prayer ribbons initiative will have a big impact. Beginning on the first day of Lent, Wednesday, Feb. 17, there will be a box of purple ribbons and pens in front of the big red front doors of St. Michael’s Church on Hope Street. All members of the community are invited to take a ribbon and pen and write a prayer intention on the ribbon for someone or something that needs the community’s prayer, and then securely tie the ribbon to the wrought-iron fence in front of St. Michael’s, in a visible, public expression of hope.

It’s an idea that was developed by members of the congregation after one of them saw a similar initiative in a news story out of New York City. Canon Michael Horvath claims he did not have to do a thing to make this happen. “It’s really special when the groundswell comes from the congregation,” he said.

The prayers or intentions can be for anything — intercession, gratitude, thanksgiving — and they can be personal, or global.

“This allows us to pray with people we don’t know and may never meet; the power of prayer is real, and it enables us to tap into our hopes and dreams,” Canon Michael said.

Canon Michael emphasizes that this is something St. Michael’s hopes will resonate with people outside their congregation, especially in these days when many people are finding there is a lot going on that might inspire prayer.

“It takes some of the weight off your shoulders,” he said. “A problem shared is a problem halved.”