What is a house blessing?

Answer  
  

A house blessing (also referred to as “house healing” or “house cleansing”) is a ritual performed by a religious leader with the intention of protecting those who live in the house from hardships and trouble. Many religions have some form of house blessing that is a part of their regular practices or traditions.  
  

In Christianity, a house blessing is an ancient tradition. In Protestantism and Orthodox Christianity, the blessing usually takes the form of a prayer over the house, but practices vary from each region and religion to the next. Sometimes the blessing takes the form of hanging a framed picture of Christ with a prayer printed on it. Catholic priests perform house blessings for their church members by sprinkling holy water in each room while praying for the inhabitants of the house. Priests will often do house blessings on [Epiphany](three-kings-day-epiphany.html) (January 6\) to commemorate the Magi visiting Jesus and bringing Him gifts (Matthew 2:11\).  
  

In the Bible, God blessed the houses of His servants for His purposes and glory (Genesis 39:5; Ezekiel 44:30\). There is nothing that indicates that a ritual preceded the blessing. God simply blessed His people who were following in obedience to Him.  
  

There is nothing overtly sinful or unbiblical about a house blessing. It is a tradition of man. The Bible does not require any ritual in order for God to bless a home, nor does it list any rules about how a house blessing should be done. As a tradition, a house blessing is something we are free to choose or not choose to do. To avoid trusting in superstition, we should remember that it is God who blesses, not a picture in a frame or water from a shaker.  
  

