This service of blessing and exorcism was created in direct response to a request of a terrorised and frightened neighbour at Mfanefile, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

It has been used, with slight modifications, in other homes in Mfanefile, South Africa; Plumtree, Zimbabwe; and London, United Kingdom.

Home dwellers consider their residence to be ‘haunted’ or ‘possessed.’

The distress in the homes has been considered to arise from a variety  of causes including deceased relatives, vindictive neighbours, violent foster youth and just bad luck.    — Ana Gobledale, UK

Blessing of a Distressed (haunted) Home PDF

Blessing of a Distressed (haunted) Home WORD

Supplies:

• Water (bring in bottle or jar)
• Bowl for water
• Candle, holder, matches
• Copies of scripture readings to give to readers
• I often take a small wooden cross, heart or dove which I attach with blue-tac (sticky-stuff) and leave inside above the front door.

Gather information: 

• Names of residents:
• What disturbances have there been?
• When are you bothered? Afraid?

Emphasis:

Depending upon the beliefs of the family, optional language for the ‘God’ is suggested.  Substitute as is helpful.

Opening words

Today we gather in this home, asking the Spirit of Goodness and Light to enter and reside here from this day forward, overcoming evil and darkness, filling it with light and peace.  Making this a home where God’s presence is powerful and almighty, known and felt around the table, in the conversation and in the depths of sleep.

Today we will share some words from scripture, some prayer, and waters of blessing to proclaim for all to hear that this is the home of [God’s] faithful people, where Peace [God] is welcome and where Love [God] abides.

Light Candle

We light this candle to banish all darkness, to bring in the Light of Love and Peace [Christ’s light] which destroys all evil.

Scripture: Ask family members to read.

Hear [God’s] promises in scripture.

Revelation 3:20

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking.

If you hear my voice and open the door,

I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.

John 14:21-23

They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me;

and those who love me will be loved by my Creator,

and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’…

Those who love me will keep my word, and the Eternal One will love them,

and we will come to them and make our home with them.

Starting out — moving through the home

Let us move through the house, visiting the rooms with the power of the Spirit, starting at the front door.

At the front door

Let us swing the door open releasing all evil, and claiming this as Love’s [God’s] passageway, that all evil may remain outside, and only good may enter.

Let us pray: Spirit of Love [Almighty and everlasting God], grant to this home the grace of your presence, that you may be known to all who live here.  May your peace and power be present in this place.  Banish from it all that is unclean, making of it a secure place for all those who dwell within.

[Sign of cross/heart/dove above door with water]

Watch over all those who enter in and go out from this place, particularly _____________________.

Spirit of Light, shine on us, we pray.  Amen.

In the Living/Sitting/Front/Main Room:

[Sign of cross/heart/dove above door with water]

Give your blessing, Eternal Love, to this space and all who visit it.  Cleanse it of all evil and frightening things.  Fill it with peace and love.

Spirit of Light, shine on us, we pray.  Amen.

In the Kitchen:

Bless this room that all shall eat in plenty and be satisfied.   Remove all that would cause harm and discomfort.

[Sign of cross/heart/dove above door and on table with water]

Satisfy hearts and stomachs with food and gladness.  Each day, in the breaking of bread at this table, may those who eat here sense your abiding presence with them.

Spirit of Light, shine on us, we pray.  Amen.

In a Bedroom: 

Guide  _________’s waking and guard her/him while sleeping, that awake she/he may watch with Love [Christ], and asleep she/he may rest in peace. 

[Sign of cross/heart/dove above door with water]

Grant peaceful and sweet slumbers to ____________.

Spirit of Light, shine on us, we pray.  Amen.

Return to Front Room

Closing Prayer & The Disciples’ Prayer

Spirit [God] of home and hearth, of love and family,

may your light always defeat the darkness here, even after the flame of this candle is extinguished.

Visit this home with the gladness of your presence.

Bless ____________ with the gift of your abiding love.

May they/she/he grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you.

Guide, comfort, and strengthen her/him/them, and preserve them/her/him in peace, each day of their/her/his life.

May this be Love’s [your] home, a house of peace, goodness and prayer, as we join our voices today filling these rooms with the words of the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples, saying:  [or another familiar prayer; one might suggest saying ‘Spirit of Love’ instead of ‘our father’]

      Spirit of Love [Our father] who art in heaven… [words of family’s chosing]

Peace and Love [The peace of God] be with you all,

And in this place today and always.  Amen.

Candle may be extinguished.  It may be presented as a gift.