A simple blessing for a new home

Blessing a house is an old practice and a plain one. There is nothing superstitious in it — you are not clearing anything out, you are dedicating something. Naming what a place is going to be for, in front of God and whoever else is standing there.

The whole thing takes fifteen minutes

Do it before the furniture arrives if you can. An empty house is easier to be honest in.

• Open the windows. Even in winter, even for a minute.
• Start at the front door. Read Joshua 24:15 — as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord — and mean it, or do not say it.
• Walk each room. In each one, say out loud what it is for. The kitchen is for feeding people. This room is for sleeping and for forgiving each other before we do. Out loud matters; it is a different thing than thinking it.
• If you want to, mark the doorframes with prayer oil. A thumbprint is enough.
• End in the kitchen with the Aaronic blessing — Numbers 6:24–26 — over everyone who will live there.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

Then

Close the windows. Light a candle on the counter and leave it burning while you unpack the first box. You have now been in every room on purpose, which is the entire point.