Bless This House

A dear friend of mine lost her home to fire late last year.

It was an horrific, devastating event, as you may imagine. The good news is that the house and many personal effects (dishes, paintings, jewelry, etc.) were able to be salvaged. 

The house has been completely renovated and they have finally settled back into 'normal' life - with all of its challenges and surprises and lots of stuff that never gets considered to be 'normal' but is, actually, the very stuff we miss most when we don't have it any longer.

My friend asked me to help her put together a 'house blessing' which would be the event that would call together all of their friends who helped in so many and varied ways, to pray with them, to thank them, to have a feast and make festival together. 

Not entirely happy with the Order of Service from the Episcopal Book of Occasional Services for this particular occasion and family, I put together this resource.  

We then adapted it even further for this home, personalizing it with the names of the members of the family, including only those prayers the family liked, and ordering the blessing of the rooms to conform with the layout of her house.

I can hear some of you saying, "Bless a home? Isn't it blessed by the people living in it?"

In Christianity, blessing a home is an ancient tradition that can be found in Anglicanism, Protestantism, Orthodox Christianity, and Roman Catholicism. In fact, when I was in Thailand, the monks at the local Wat (Temple) were seasonally busy, blessing homes. You could always tell because they left a small piece of gold leaf on the door frame.

In the Christian tradition, house blessing are usually performed by a priest who sprinkles holy water - a sign of our baptism - as she walks through every room of the house, accompanied by the occupants of the house and their family and friends. Sometimes, incense is also used.

There is a great tradition in the Anglican Church to bless homes during the Season of Epiphany, which I especially love. 

Many Christians, when moving into a new home or after renovating an old one, like to offer the house to God and ask for a blessing on those who live within it or might visit. 

The order of this service is adapted from The Book of Occasional Services, Church Publishing, Inc., 2000, and A New Zealand Prayer Book. The prayers are adapted from the "Prayers of Iona, Human Rites: Worship Resources for an Age of Change," as well as the Corrymeela Community, a few Traditional Celtic Blessings and prayers from other individuals as noted near the prayers. 

(I want to note especially that the original refrain of the blessing prayer was , "By the cleansing fire of your Holy Spirit. . . ." Given that the damage was done by fire, I elimated that word."

Since this is a rather large house, I added a Taize Chant for a little "traveling music, but certainly this service is not restricted to either Taize or that particular chant. Or, you may simply not want any musical interlude, which is, in fact, what this family chose. Another alternative might be to sing a hymn at the beginning or end of the blessing service.

Depending on the home and the wishes of the presider and family, the house and each room may be blessed with water and/or incense. In the past and at a particular individual's request, I have used a Native American 'smudge stick' instead of incense which was lovely, in its own way. 

Please feel free to borrow and/or adapt, with proper attribution, of course.
 

A House Blessing

The Gathering

+The grace of Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
And also with you.

We have come together
to celebrate the gift of this home
and to ask God's blessing on it,
and to ask God’s continued blessing
on those who live in it.
 

We have come together
to renew friendship
and to make festival together
to dedicate ourselves and this place
to the pursuit of peace, justice and wholeness
and to the care of God,
Creator, Word and Spirit.

Unless the Lord builds the house
They labor in vain who build it.
Unless the Lord protects the city
The Watchers guard it in vain.
Our hope is found in Jesus Christ
God's building block and corner stone.

(Adapted Prayer form the Iona Community, published in Human Rites: Worship Resources for an Age of Change compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, London: Mowbray, 1995, p.74-75)

Prayers and blessings 
Let us now bless this house in the name of God and with our love and prayers.

(A short space of silence is kept during which prayers may be offered in silence or out loud.)

Be present, Spirit of God, within us,
your dwelling place and home,
that this house may be one where
all darkness is penetrated by your light
all troubles calmed by your peace
all evil redeemed by your love
all pain transformed
and all dying glorified.
Amen.

(Adapted Prayer by Jim Cotter, published in Human Rites: Worship Resources for an Age of Change compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, London: Mowbray, 1995, p.76)

May God give blessing
To this house and all who come here.
May Jesus give blessing
To this house and all who come here.
May Spirit give blessing
To this house and all who come here.
May all who come here give blessing
To this house and to all they meet here.
Both roof and frame
Both brick and beam.
Both window and timber
Both foot and head.
Both gate and door
Both coming and going.
Both man and woman
Both parent and child.
Both young and old
Both wisdom and youth.
Both guest and host
Both stranger and friend.
Peace on each window that lets in light
Peace on each corner of the room.
Peace on each place that ushers sleep
Peace on each plate that cradles food.
Peace of the Creator, Peace of the Word
Peace of the Spirit, Peace of the One.

(Prayer form the Iona Community, published in Human Rites: Worship Resources for an Age of Change compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, London: Mowbray, 1995, p.76-77)

May this home be glowing with warmth
in the chill of winter
And a cooling shade
in the heat of the summer sun,
May it be a place
where one awakes with eagerness,
And a haven from stress,
when the work of the day is done.
 

May God, our Mother,
safely cradle this house in her strong arms,
And breathe the comfort of her love
through every room.
May God, our Father, fire the minds
of those who dwell here with hopeful dreams
And give them the strength
to make those dreams come true.
May God, our Companion,
fill this home with laughter
And weave a satisfying peace
in times of solitude.
 

May the cupboards be forever full,
And the table spread with welcome cheer.
May friends come often through the door,
But yet the need for privacy
be respected here.
May the wild beauty of God,
May the indwelling peace of God
May the surprising mystery of God
Inhabit this home.
Amen.

(Prayer by Jean Gaskin, published in Human Rites: Worship Resources for an Age of Change compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, London: Mowbray, 1995, p.91)

The Procession through the House

    (Sung) Ubi caritas et amor. Ubi caritas Deus ibi est. (Taize Chant x 3)


At the Entrance
 
Hear the Word of God:
“The LORD will protect you
as you come and go, now and forever.”

Blessed are you, Welcoming God.
As your people come and go from this door,
be their constant companion on the way,
and welcome them upon their return,
so that coming and going
they may be sustained by your presence.
Bring to this door both friend and stranger
who come in peace,
and guard it from any who come in hostility.
May every grudge or malice be left at the door,
and may those who brought them
be so touched by grace here,
that they forget to collect them when they leave.

By the cleansing of your Holy Spirit,
purge and heal this entrance
of every spirit of fear and despair
that clings to it from past terrors,
and transfigure their legacy
into inspirations for justice, peace and joy.

(Sung) Ubi caritas et amor. Ubi caritas Deus ibi est. (Taize Chant x 3)

In the Living Room
 
Hear the Word of God:
“How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when God’s people live together in harmony.”

Blessed are you, Gracious God,
for you have provided this place
for unwinding and enjoying company.
Give your blessing to all who share this room, 
that they may find joy in their relaxation,
and always be generous hosts.
May all who gather here
be knit together in fellowship on earth,
and find a first taste here
of the communion of your saints in heaven.

By the cleansing of your Holy Spirit,
purge and heal this living room
of every spirit of fear and despair
that clings to it from past terrors,
and transfigure their legacy
into inspirations for justice, peace and joy.

(Sung) Ubi caritas et amor. Ubi caritas Deus ibi est. (Taize Chant x 3)

In a Couple’s Bedroom
 
Hear the Word of God:
“You will be happy together,
drink deep, and lose yourselves in love.”

Blessed are you, Passionate God,
for when you join two people
in a covenant of love and desire,
they are no longer two but one.
Bless those who lie down here,
with a holy passion and delight in their loving,
and with deep rest in their sleeping,
that they may rise to serve you
all the days of their life.

By the cleansing of your Holy Spirit,
purge and heal this bedroom
of every spirit of fear and despair
that clings to it from past terrors,
and transfigure their legacy
into inspirations for justice, peace and joy.

In the Couple’s Bathroom
 
Hear the Word of God:
“I will sprinkle clean water on you
and make you clean
from all that has defiled you.”

Blessed are you, Creating God,
for you made us as whole persons
— bodies, minds and spirits —
and you called us good.
Give us a proper respect and love for our bodies,
keeping them clean and healthy,
so that we may glorify you in them,
as we confidently wait for you to clothe us
in robes of righteousness.

By the cleansing of your Holy Spirit,
purge and heal this bathroom
of every spirit of fear and despair
that clings to it from past terrors,
and transfigure their legacy
into inspirations for justice, peace and joy.

(Sung) Ubi caritas et amor. Ubi caritas Deus ibi est. (Taize Chant x 3)

In the Kitchen
 
Hear the Word of God:
“I am going to give you grain
and wine and olive oil,
and you will be satisfied.
Be glad, and rejoice at what
the LORD your God has done for you.”

Blessed are you, Plentiful God,
for you supply
according to your great riches.
May this kitchen always be filled
with the produce of the earth,
and may the preparations here
be filled with pleasure and love.
Bless the hands that work in this place,
and fill us with gratitude for your provision.

By the cleansing of your Holy Spirit,
purge and heal this kitchen
of every spirit of fear and despair
that clings to it from past terrors,
and transfigure their legacy
into inspirations for justice, peace and joy.

          (Sung) Ubi caritas et amor. Ubi caritas Deus ibi est. (Taize Chant x 3)


In a Guest Bedroom
 
Hear the Word of God:
“You will lie down
and go to sleep in peace;
for the LORD keeps you perfectly safe.”

Blessed are you, Sheltering God,
for you are the true rest of your people
and you cover each person
with the soft shelter of your wings.
Bless to your people
their hours of rest and refreshment,
that sleeping they might rest in peace,
and waking they may rise to serve you
all the days of their life.

By the cleansing of your Holy Spirit,
purge and heal this bedroom
of every spirit of fear and despair
that clings to it from past terrors,
and transfigure their legacy
into inspirations for justice, peace and joy.


In an Artist Loft
 
Hear the Word of God:
God has filled Bezelal [Bez-e-lal] with divine spirit, 
with skill, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, 
to devise artistic designs . . . .: in every kind of craft.

Blessed are you, Source of all Inspiration,
for you have blessed us with your impulse to create
as you have created us.
Bless those
who give expression to thoughts with images,
that this may be a place
of skill, imagination, beauty and peace.

By the cleansing of your Holy Spirit,
purge and heal this artists loft
of every spirit of fear and despair
that clings to it from past terrors,
and transfigure their legacy
into inspirations for justice, peace and joy.


In a Guest Bathroom

Hear again the Word of God:
“I will sprinkle clean water on you
and make you clean
from all that has defiled you.”

Blessed are you, Creating God,
for you made us as whole persons
— bodies, minds and spirits —
and you called us good.
Give us a proper respect and love for our bodies,
keeping them clean and healthy,
so that we may glorify you in them,
as we confidently wait for you to clothe us
in robes of righteousness.

By the cleansing of your Holy Spirit,
purge and heal this bathroom
of every spirit of fear and despair
that clings to it from past terrors,
and transfigure their legacy
into inspirations for justice, peace and joy.

    (Sung) Ubi caritas et amor. Ubi caritas Deus ibi est. (Taize Chant x 3)

In the Office/Work Area
 
Hear the Words of Jesus:
“Like the days of a tree
shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy
the work of their hands.”

Blessed are you, Creator God,
for your Son Jesus sanctified our labor
as he crafted wood with his hands.
Be present, we pray,
with those who work in this place,
that, laboring as workers together with you,
they may share the joy of your creation

By the cleansing of your Holy Spirit,
purge and heal this office/workroom
of every spirit of fear and despair
that clings to it from past terrors,
and transfigure their legacy
into inspirations for justice, peace and joy.

In the Dining Room
 
Hear the Word of God:
“You will have plenty to eat,
and be satisfied.
You will praise the LORD your God
who has done wonderful things for you.”

Blessed are you, Inviting God,
for you welcome us at your table
and call us to share in the banquet of life,
giving us food and drink to sustain our lives
and make our hearts glad.
Fill us with gratitude for all you give us
and with a hunger to hasten the day
when all the world will enjoy such blessings.

By the cleansing of your Holy Spirit,
purge and heal this dining room
of every spirit of fear and despair
that clings to it from past terrors,
and transfigure their legacy
into inspirations for justice, peace and joy.

Concluding Prayers and Blessing

We dedicate this house to you
and your work as the God of Peace.
May it be a place of joy, laughter and freedom,
A place of renewal and refreshment
for those who are weary,
A place of hope
for those who have become disillusioned,
A place of healing and comfort
for those broken and hurt,
A place of forgiveness
for those who seek a new way of life,
A place of encouragement
for those who hunger and thirst
for peace and justice,
A place of vision and inspiration
for all those who seek a new and better way
for our country.

(Dedication Prayer from munity, published in Human Rites: Worship Resources for an Age of Change compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, London: Mowbray, 1995, p.90)

Let us gather up our prayers
into the prayer Jesus taught us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the Kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.

May the eye of God be dwelling with you;
The foot of Christ in guidance with you;
The shower of the Spirit pouring on you;
And be the Sacred Three
To save, to shield, to surround
The hearth, the house, the household,
This day, this night
and every day and night.
Amen .


(Traditional Celtic Blessing, published in Human Rites: Worship Resources for an Age of Change compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, London: Mowbray, 1995, p.78)

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