Home Blessing

Home Blessing Gathering Jesus says, “Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” We have come together to seek God’s blessing and presence in this house and home. This house is a place to protect and nurture our bodies, minds and souls. Affirmations 1. Affirming the Presence of Jesus [have a candle lit on the table] We affirm that Jesus is the light of the world and we ask that he would be present and welcomed in this home. May this family be like Martha who opened her home to Jesus and like Mary who sat at his feet, 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Prayer: May [names of family members] daily find times to welcome you Jesus and sit at your feet. Amen. 2. Affirming the Word of God [have a Bible placed on the table] We affirm that the word of God is a guide to establishing a faithful home. Listen to Moses speaking to the people who are about to settle in a new land and build new homes, 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Prayer: God encourage [names of family members] to seek and live by your word. Amen.

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3. Affirming our Call to Hospitality We affirm our call to love our neighbour as ourselves and that in doing so we love God. Remember Abraham who invited three strangers into his home and in doing so received a message from God, 1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 3 He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way —now that you have come to your servant." "Very well," they answered, "do as you say." 6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get some of our finest flour and knead it and bake some bread." 7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. 9 "Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. "There, in the tent," he said. 10 Then it was God who said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Prayer: May those who enter this home be received as Christ. Amen. 4. Affirmation of God’s Sovereignty and Confession of our Sin We affirm the sovereignty of God in the world and now we affirm it in this space. We ask the Spirit of God now to bless this space and protect those within it from the forces around and within us that seek to destroy and divide what is good. At this time we also confess the sins that bind us and that can hurt our home, Merciful God, we have not loved you with out whole heart, nor our neighbours as ourselves. Forgive what we have been, accept us as we are, and guide what we shall be.

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Have mercy on us, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy erase our transgressions. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within us. Listen now to the promise given by the Psalmist of the one who watches over your home, 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Prayer of Thanksgiving We give thanks to you God, healer of wounds and forgiver of sins. We give thanks to you God who calls us out of darkness into your marvellous light. We give thanks to you God for providing a house and home. We give thanks to you God, for in you is our hope and trust. Amen.

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Prayer of Blessing May God Bless this home All who live here And all who visit here. May your home be filled With God’s love and the love You share with one another. May peace, harmony, and laughter Be yours in abundance As long as you live. May you be granted fulfillment and abiding joy. May God’s Spirit Watch over the newborn, The growing sons and tender daughters, And all your friends and family. May your home tend the sick, Rest the weary, comfort the dying, Calm the suffering, pity the afflicted, Protect the joyous ones. May God’s presence Bless your home Until you reach your final home in heaven. Amen.

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