Blessing of a Home

Blessing of a Home

Blessing of a Home from the Roman Ritual

Another Prayer of Blessing for a home or building

Blessing of Holy Water

Rite of Blessing of Salt from Roman Missal

Rite of Blessing of Holy Water from Roman Missal

Blessing of Holy Water from Roman Ritual

Rite of Blessing of Holy Water from the Rite of Exorcism

Prayers for Protection and Deliverance

Prayer to St Michael the Archangel | Anima Christi

The Psalms | Texts from the Gospels

A personal prayer | Litany of the Most Precious Blood

Prayer against Every Evil | Prayer for Inner Healing | Prayer for Deliverance

Blessing of a Home

The Rite of Blessings contains a formula for the Blessing of a Home. If demonic presence or activity is suggested, then the adaption of the Blessing of a Home is offered below. Another option is taken from the Roman Ritual and is given below. The blessing of a home may be accompanied with specific prayers of minor exorcism if required.

Peace be with this house and with all who live here.

R/ And with your Spirit..

Blessing of Holy Water (if required).

[Continue with Blessing of a home] 

Blessing of Holy Water

Holy Water is a sacramental that can be used to bless people, objects and homes. The blessing of Holy Water done in the presence of the people helps them understand the significance of the use of Holy Water. The water once blessed can be then left with the people. The formula for the blessing of Holy Water is found in the Roman Missal.

Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3

Rite of Blessing of Salt from Roman Missal

The Missal includes the formula for the blessing of salt and can be used in conjunction with the blessing of Holy Water. The Blessed Salt in poured into the water to be blessed.

Almighty God,
we ask you to bless + this salt
as once you blessed the salt scattered over the water
by the prophet Elisha.
Wherever this salt and water is sprinkled,
drive away the power of evil,
and protect us always
by the presence of your Holy Spirit.

Rite of Blessing of Holy Water from Roman Missal

There are two options:

Dear friends,
this water will be used
to remind us of our baptism.
Ask God to bless it,
and to keep us faithful
to the Spirit he has given us.

God our Father,
your gift of water
brings life and freshness to the earth;
it washes away our sins
and brings us eternal life.
We ask you now to bless this water,
and to give us your protection on this day
which you have made your own.
Renew the living spring of your life within us
and protect us in spirit and body,
that we may be free from sin
and come into your presence
to receive your gift of salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

[return to Blessing of a home] or Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3

Or:

Lord God almighty,
creator of all life,
of body and soul,
we ask you to bless this water:
as we use it in faith,
forgive our sins
and save us from all illness
and the power of evil.

Lord, in your mercy
give us living water,
always springing up as a fountain of salvation:
free us, body and soul, from every danger,
and admit us to your presence in purity of heart.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

[return to Blessing of a home] or Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3

Blessing of Holy Water from Roman Ritual

The Blessing of Holy Water found in the older Roman Ritual is more expressive of the use of the water to counteract the presence and activity of evil spirits. The blessing begins with the blessing of salt.

I command you in the name of the living, + true + and holy + God, of God who ordered you to be cast into the water by the Prophet Elisha, thus to make the stagnant water drinkable. May you be salt free henceforth from all evil, ministering to the well-being of all who believe. May you give health of mind and body to all who partake of you; and from any place where you are sprinkled may all evil fantasies depart, and all wickedness, and all the cunning scheming of Satan. May every evil spirit flee away, at the command of him who is to come to judge the living and the dead and world by fire.

R/ Amen.

Let us pray.

We humbly beg of your unbounded clemency, almighty and eternal God, in your goodness to bless + this salt which you have created and given to human beings for their use. Let it bring health of mind and body to all who partake of it. Let no uncleanness nor any onslaught of the powers of evil come near anything that shall have been touched or sprinkled with it. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I command you in the name of God the Father + almighty, in the name of Jesus + Christ his Son our Lord, and in the power of the Holy + Spirit. Be water now no longer in the power of our enemy, but availing rather to put all his power to flight, to dislodge that enemy, with all his rebel angels, and to rid the earth of them; through the power of that Jesus Christ our Lord who is to come to judge the living and dead and the world by fire.

R/ Amen.

Let us pray.

O God, who bringing salvation to mankind made water the foundation of the great symbolic rites, give kindly ear to our prayer. Pour the strength of your blessing + into this element, many times purified to receive it. May this your creature be your servant now in religious rites. May it have henceforth the power, which divine grace can give it, to drive out devils and to ward off diseases; so that in the homes of the faithful and wherever the faithful may be, all that this water touches may be unsullied and wholesome. May no breath of contagion linger there, no taint of corruption. May the snares of the lurking enemy fall asunder. And if anything threatens the safety or the peace of those who dwell there, may it be banished by the sprinkling of this water. Thus may that well-being, which they sought when they called upon your holy name, be shielded from every assault. Through Christ our Lord.

R/ Amen.

He puts some of the salt into the water in the form of a cross, saying,

May this salt and this water mingle and blend together, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

R/. Amen

The Lord be with you.

R/. And with your Spirit..

Let us pray.

O God, whose power is unconquerable, whose empire will never be overthrown, whose final victory will be great and glorious, you hold in check the powers opposed to you; you bring the raging enemy to his knees and subdue with a mighty hand the wickedness ranged against you. In awe of you yet in need of your help we ask of you your favour, begging of you to look kindly upon this mingled salt and water. Let your loving gaze enliven it and freshen it, and your goodness like dew from heaven sanctify it. Where it is sprinkled and your holy name invoked may unclean spirits cease from troubling us. Like a venomous reptile may the devil be banished and terrify us no more. And wherever we are who ask your mercy, may the Holy Spirit in his goodness be with us. Through Christ our Lord.

R/ Amen.

[return to Blessing of a home] or Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3

Rite of Blessing of Holy Water from the Rite of Exorcism

13. There is also a version of blessing of Holy Water given at the beginning of the Rite of Exorcism and this formula more particularly refers to the use of Holy Water against evil spirits, and so could be usefully employed when blessing Holy Water explicitly for minor exorcism

O God, for the salvation of all people
you have ordained the great sacrament of Baptism
under the form of water:
mercifully be present with us when we call upon you;
and pour upon this water the power of your + blessing,
that in the service of your holy mysteries
and by your divine grace
it may avail to cast out demons and to drive away sickness.

May whatever is sprinkled with this water among your faithful people
be delivered from harm,
may no evil spirit have its dwelling there
and may all the snares of the hidden foe depart thence:
and so may your people be safe from harm
and by the invocation of your holy name
be delivered from all assaults.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R/ Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

A reading from Sacred Scripture follows.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark [1:21-28]

They went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the Sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the Scribes, he taught them with authority.

In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit, and it shouted, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God”. But Jesus said sharply, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. “Here is a teaching that is new”, they said, “and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him. And his reputation spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.

The Gospel of the Lord  

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus

Mark 16:15-18 - The Commissioning of the Eleven

Luke 10:17-20 - The Return of the Seventy-two

Luke 11:14-24 - Jesus and Beelzebul

John 1:1-14 - The Prologue

Suitable Psalms

Psalm 90 (91) | Psalm 3

Psalm 10 (11) | Psalm 12 (13)

Psalm 21 (22) | Psalm 30 (31)

Psalm 34 (35) | Psalm 53 (54)

Psalm 67 (68) | Psalm 69 (70)

Alternative readings may be selected. The readings can be followed by a brief homily.

Prayers of Intercession

After the homily Prayers of Intercession are said.

The Son of God, Lord of Heaven and earth, came to deliver us from the power of the Evil One. Let us call upon him saying:

R/ Lord, hear our prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, by your life with Mary and Joseph you sanctified the life of the home; dwell in this home, and let your blessing and protection be upon who live here. Lord hear us.

R/ Lord, hear our prayer

Deliver this home from all snares of the demons and keep all who dwell here safe under the protection of your wings. Lord hear us.

R/ Lord, hear our prayer

You taught your followers to build their houses on solid rock; grant that the members of this family may hold fast to your teachings and, free of all discord, serve you with their whole heart. Lord hear us.

R/ Lord, hear our prayer

Aided by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and of St Michael the Archangel may all who dwell in this home experience peace and joy. Lord hear us.

R/ Lord, hear our prayer

Lord our God hear our prayers and we seek your protection over all who dwell in this house. We ask you to drive out all unclean spirits and free this house from any evil presence or attachment. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

R/ Amen.

The Blessing

Following the prayer the priest moves through the house blessing each room with Holy Water.

Lord's Prayer

Once the blessing is complete the members of the household assemble for the Lord’s Prayer and a final prayer. All recite the Lord's Prayer.

At the Saviour's command, and formed by Divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses;
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

St Michael Prayer

Invocation of St Michael the Archangel can be said together.

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle;
be our defence against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host;
by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan
and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Concluding Rite

Concluding prayer is now said.

O God, creator and saviour of all people, look with kindness on us as we have invoked your protection over this home.
Grant that the spirit of evil may no longer dwell here and that those who live here may experience the goodness and peace of the Holy Spirit.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R/ Amen

The Lord be with you

R/ And with your Spirit.

Bow down for the Blessing.

May the Lord bless and keep you.

R/ Amen

May his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

R/ Amen

May he look upon you with kindness and give you his peace

R/ Amen

May almighty God bless you,
the Father and the Son + and the Holy Spirit.

R/ Amen

Blessing of a Home from the Roman Ritual

The Roman Ritual offers the following formula for the blessing of a home.

Peace be upon this house.

R/ And upon all who live here.

As he sprinkles the principal room he says:

Purify me with hyssop, Lord, and I shall be clean of sin. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Ps. 50.1)
Have mercy on me, God, in your great kindness.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Purify me with hyssop, Lord, and I shall be clean of sin. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord, heed my prayer.

R/ And let my cry come to you.

The Lord be with you.

R/ And with your Spirit.

Let us pray.

Hear us, holy Lord and Father, almighty everlasting God, and in your goodness send your holy angel from heaven to watch over and protect all who live in this home, to be with them and give them comfort and encouragement; through Christ our Lord.

R/ Amen.

An alternative formula

Our help is in the name of the Lord.

R/ Who made heaven and earth.

The Lord be with you.

R/ And with your Spirit.

Let us pray.

God the Father almighty, we fervently implore you for the sake of this home and its occupants and possessions, that you may bless + and sanctify + them, enriching them by your kindness in every way possible. Pour out on them, Lord, heavenly dew in good measure, as well as an abundance of earthly needs. Mercifully listen to their prayers, and grant that their desires be fulfilled. Be pleased to bless + and sanctify + this home, as you once were pleased to bless the home of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Within these walls let your angels of light preside and stand watch over those who live here; through Christ our Lord.

R/ Amen

The home is sprinkled with holy water.

Another Prayer of Blessing for a home or building

This prayer is given by Fr Gabriel Amorth at the end of his second book, An Exorcist: More Stories. This prayer may be useful to conclude a blessing of a house or building where there has been some demonic activity.

O Father, come and visit our home (shop, office, and so on) and protect us from the lures of the enemy; may your holy angels come to guard our peace and may your blessing remain with us forever. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles, “In whatever home you enter, greet it, saying, ‘Peace be in this home’”, let this same peace, we pray abide in this place. We beseech you to sanctify it by the merits of our trusting prayer.

Pour your blessings on it, and make it a place of peace. May salvation enter our abode as it entered the house of Zacchaeus, when you graced it with your presence.

Entrust your angels to guard it and banish from it every evil power.

Grant that all who live in it may please you with their good works, and so receive from you, when their time comes, the reward of your heavenly home.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

R/ Amen

Prayers for Protection and Deliverance

The following prayers are more general prayers and could be used by lay people as well as by priests.

Prayer to St Michael the Archangel

This prayer was composed by Pope Leo XIII, 1878-1903, for the use of the faithful and was included in the prayers at the end of Mass prior to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defence against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host; by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Anima Christi

This ancient prayer has been mistakenly attributed to St Ignatius Loyola who used it in his Spiritual Exercises. It has an earlier origin and reflects a solid Eucharistic theology and draws on the devotion to the Five Wounds.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me;
within your wounds hide me.
Let me never be separated from you.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me
and bid me come unto you
that I may praise you with your saints
and with your angels,
forever and ever.
Amen.

The Psalms

A number of the psalms are very suitable as prayers of deliverance. Psalm 90 (91) is particularly appropriate. Other psalms include Ps. 3, 10 (11), 12 (13), 21 (22), 30 (31), 34 (35), 53 (54), 67 (68), 69 (70).

Psalm 90 (91)

Psalm 3

Psalm 10 (11)

Psalm 12 (13)

Psalm 21 (22)

Psalm 30 (31)

Psalm 34 (35)

Psalm 53 (54)

Psalm 67 (68)

Psalm 69 (70)

Texts from the Gospels

Texts of Holy Scripture can be read in association with prayers for deliverance. The Rite of Exorcism identifies the following Gospel readings –

Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus

Mark 1:21-28 - The Cure of the Demoniac

Mark 16:15-18 - The Commissioning of the Eleven

Luke 10:17-20 - The Return of the Seventy-two

Luke 11:14-24 - Jesus and Beelzebul

John 1:1-14 - The Prologue

A personal prayer

This prayer of unknown source is one of many that can be appropriately used by a lay person seeking personal protection from evil spirits. It could be adapted by a priest to apply to a particular person or situation.

Lord, almighty, merciful and omnipotent God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
drive out from me all influence of evil spirits.
Father, in the name of Christ, I plead you
to break any chain that the devil has on me.
Pour upon me the most precious blood of your Son.
May His immaculate and redeeming blood
break all bonds on my body or mind.
I ask you this through the intercession of the Most Holy Virgin Mary.
Archangel St Michael, intercede and come to my help.
In the name of Jesus I command all devils that could have any influence over me, to leave me forever.
By His scourging, His crown of thorns, His cross,
By His blood and Resurrection, I command all evil spirits to leave me.
By the True God, by the Holy God,
by God who can do all,
in the name of Jesus, my Saviour and Lord, leave me.
Amen.

Litany of the Most Precious Blood

The use of litanies can be most helpful both in personal prayer for protection and in prayer for others. The Litany of the Most Precious Blood is particularly appropriate.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, save us.
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, save us.
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, save us.
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony, save us.
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, save us.
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, save us.
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, save us.
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, save us.
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, save us.
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, save us.
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy, save us.
Blood of Christ, victor over demons, save us.
Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs, save us.
Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors, save us.
Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins, save us.
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, save us.
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened, save us.
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow, save us.
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, save us.
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, save us.
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, save us.
Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life, save us.
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory, save us.
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honour, save us.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V/ You have redeemed us, O Lord, in your Blood.
R/ And made us, for our God, a kingdom.

Let us pray.

Almighty and eternal God, you have appointed your only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by his Blood.
Grant we beg of you, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation, and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life, so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven.
Through the same Christ our Lord.

R/ Amen

Prayer against Every Evil

Fr Gabriel Amoth, exorcist of the Diocese of Rome, in his book, “An exorcist tells his story”, offers a number of prayers of deliverance suitable for lay people to use. The Prayer against Every Evil, Prayer for Inner Healing and Prayer for Deliverance are included here. These prayers can be recommended to lay people experiencing evil spirits, or can be adapted by priests to pray with such people.

Spirit of our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Most Holy Trinity, Immaculate Virgin Mary, angels, archangels, and saints of heaven, descend upon me.

Please purify me, Lord, mould me, fill me with yourself, use me.

Banish from me all the forces of evil, destroy them, vanquish them, so that I can be healthy and do good deeds.

Banish from me all spells, witchcraft, black magic, malefic, ties, maledictions, and the evil eye; diabolic infestations, oppressions, possessions; all that is evil and sinful, jealousy, perfidy, envy; physical, psychological, moral, spiritual, diabolical ailments.

Burn all these evils in hell, that they may never again touch me or any other creature in the entire world.

I command and bid all the powers that molest me – by the power of God all powerful, in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, through the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary – to leave me forever, and to be consigned into everlasting hell, where they will be bound by Saint Michael, Saint Raphael, our guardian angels, and where they will be crushed under the heel of the Immaculate Virgin Mary.

R/ Amen

Prayer for Inner Healing

This prayer can be said by or with a person experiencing spiritual burdens associated with demonic influence.

Lord Jesus, you came to heal our wounded and troubled hearts.
I beg you to heal the torments that cause anxiety in my heart;
I beg you, in a particular way, to heal all who are the cause of sin.
I beg you to come into my life and heal me of the psychological harms that struck me in my early years and from the injuries that they caused throughout my life.

Lord Jesus, you know my burdens.
I lay them all on your Good Shepherd’s heart.
I beseech you – by the merits of the great, open wound in your heart – to heal the small wounds that are in mine.
Heal the pain of my memories, so that nothing that has happened to me will cause me to remain in pain and anguish, filled with anxiety.

Heal, O Lord,
all those wounds that have been the cause of all the evil that is rooted in my life.
I want to forgive all those who have offended me.
Look to those inner sores that make me unable to forgive.
You who came to forgive the afflicted of heart, please, heal my own heart.
Heal, my Lord Jesus, those intimate wounds that cause me physical illness.
I offer you my heart, accept it, Lord, purify it and give me the sentiments of your Divine Heart.
Help me to be meek and humble.

Heal me, O Lord,
from the pain caused by the death of loved ones, which is oppressing me.
Grant me to regain peace and joy in the knowledge that you are the Resurrection and the Life.
Make me an authentic witness to your resurrection, your victory over sin and death, your living presence among us.

R/ Amen

Prayer for Deliverance

This can be a prayer used as intercession for a person suffering under demonic influence.

My Lord, you are all powerful, you are God, you are Father.
We beg you through the intercession and help
of the archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel
for the deliverance of our brothers and sisters
who are enslaved by the evil one.
All saints of heaven, come to our aid.

From anxiety, sadness and obsessions,
we beg you: free us, O Lord.
From hatred, fornication, envy,
we beg you: free us, O Lord.
From thoughts of jealousy, rage and death,
we beg you: free us, O Lord.
From every thought of suicide and abortion,
we beg you: free us, O Lord.
From every form of sinful sexuality,
we beg you: free us, O Lord.
From every division in our family, and every harmful friendship,
we beg you: free us, O Lord.
From every sort of spell, malefice, witchcraft and every form of the occult, we beg you: free us, O Lord.

Lord, you who said, “I leave you peace, my peace I give you”, grant that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, we may be liberated from every evil spell and enjoy your peace always.

In the name of Christ, our Lord.

R/ Amen

Appendix - Scripture texts

Texts from the Gospels

Texts of Holy Scripture can be read in association with prayers for deliverance. The Rite of Exorcism identifies the following Gospel readings –

Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus [NRSV]

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,
saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ”
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mark 1:21-28 - The Cure of the Demoniac [NRSV]

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mark 16:15-18 - The Commissioning of the Eleven [NRSV]

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Luke 10:17-20 - The Return of the Seventy-two [NRSV]

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Luke 11:14-24 - Jesus and Beelzebul [NRSV]

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

John 1:1-14 - The Prologue [NRSV]

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

The Gospel of the Lord.

The Psalms

A number of the psalms are very suitable as prayers of deliverance. Psalm 90 (91) is particularly appropriate. Other psalms include Ps. 3, 10 (11), 12 (13), 21 (22), 30 (31), 34 (35), 53 (54), 67 (68), 69 (70).

Psalm 90 (91) NRSV

God’s Eternity and Human Frailty
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You turn us back to dust,
and say, “Turn back, you mortals.”
4 For a thousand years in your sight
are like yesterday when it is past,
or like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep them away; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning;
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.

7 For we are consumed by your anger;
by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;
our years come to an end like a sigh.
10 The days of our life are seventy years,
or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;
even then their span is only toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.

11 Who considers the power of your anger?
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
12 So teach us to count our days
that we may gain a wise heart.

13 Turn, O LORD! How long?
Have compassion on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us,
and as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be manifest to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands—
O prosper the work of our hands!

Psalm 3 NRSV

Trust in God under Adversity
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.

1 O LORD, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying to me,
“There is no help for youa in God.” Selah

3 But you, O LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
4 I cry aloud to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
6 I am not afraid of ten thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Rise up, O LORD!
Deliver me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Deliverance belongs to the LORD;
may your blessing be on your people!

Psalm 10 (11) NRSV

Song of Trust in God

In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to me,
“Flee like a bird to the mountains;
2 for look, the wicked bend the bow,
they have fitted their arrow to the string,
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD’s throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.
5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked,
and his soul hates the lover of violence.
6 On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur;
a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the LORD is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.

Psalm 12 (13) NRSV

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I bear pain in my soul,
and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God!
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;
my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 21 (22) NRSV

Plea for Deliverance from Suffering and Hostility

To the leader: according to The Deer of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night, but find no rest.
3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried, and were saved;
in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.
6 But I am a worm, and not human;
scorned by others, and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock at me;
they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
8 “Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver—
let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”
9 Yet it was you who took me from the womb;
you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.
10 On you I was cast from my birth,
and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
11 Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
12 Many bulls encircle me,
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs are all around me;
a company of evildoers encircles me.
My hands and feet have shriveled;
17 I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O LORD, do not be far away!
O my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
my life from the power of the dog!
21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!
From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me.
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he did not despise or abhor
the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me,
but heard when I cried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the LORD.
May your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the LORD;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
28 For dominion belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations.
29 To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
and I shall live for him.
30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord,
31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,
saying that he has done it.

Psalm 30 (31) NRSV

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

1 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
6 You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the LORD.
7 I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have taken heed of my adversities,
8 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,
and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
a horror to my neighbors,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—
terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.
17 Do not let me be put to shame, O LORD,
for I call on you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be stilled
that speak insolently against the righteous
with pride and contempt.
19 O how abundant is your goodness
that you have laid up for those who fear you,
and accomplished for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of everyone!
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from human plots;
you hold them safe under your shelter
from contentious tongues.
21 Blessed be the LORD,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was beset as a city under siege.
22 I had said in my alarm,
“I am driven far from your sight.”
But you heard my supplications
when I cried out to you for help.
23 Love the LORD, all you his saints.
The LORD preserves the faithful,
but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the LORD.

Psalm 34 (35) NRSV

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me!
2 Take hold of shield and buckler,
and rise up to help me!
3 Draw the spear and javelin
against my pursuers;
say to my soul,
“I am your salvation.”
4 Let them be put to shame and dishonor
who seek after my life.
Let them be turned back and confounded
who devise evil against me.
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the LORD driving them on.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 For without cause they hid their net for me;
without cause they dug a pit for my life.
8 Let ruin come on them unawares.
And let the net that they hid ensnare them;
let them fall in it—to their ruin.
9 Then my soul shall rejoice in the LORD,
exulting in his deliverance.
10 All my bones shall say,
“O LORD, who is like you?
You deliver the weak
from those too strong for them,
the weak and needy from those who despoil them.”
11 Malicious witnesses rise up;
they ask me about things I do not know.
12 They repay me evil for good;
my soul is forlorn.
13 But as for me, when they were sick,
I wore sackcloth;
I afflicted myself with fasting.
I prayed with head bowed on my bosom,
14 as though I grieved for a friend or a brother;
I went about as one who laments for a mother,
bowed down and in mourning.
15 But at my stumbling they gathered in glee,
they gathered together against me;
ruffians whom I did not know
tore at me without ceasing;
16 they impiously mocked more and more,
gnashing at me with their teeth.
17 How long, O LORD, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my life from the lions!
18 Then I will thank you in the great congregation;
in the mighty throng I will praise you.
19 Do not let my treacherous enemies rejoice over me,
or those who hate me without cause wink the eye.
20 For they do not speak peace,
but they conceive deceitful words
against those who are quiet in the land.
21 They open wide their mouths against me;
they say, “Aha, Aha,
our eyes have seen it.”
22 You have seen, O LORD; do not be silent!
O Lord, do not be far from me!
23 Wake up! Bestir yourself for my defense,
for my cause, my God and my Lord!
24 Vindicate me, O LORD, my God,
according to your righteousness,
and do not let them rejoice over me.
25 Do not let them say to themselves,
“Aha, we have our heart’s desire.”
Do not let them say, “We have swallowed you up.”
26 Let all those who rejoice at my calamity
be put to shame and confusion;
let those who exalt themselves against me
be clothed with shame and dishonor.
27 Let those who desire my vindication
shout for joy and be glad,
and say evermore,
“Great is the LORD,
who delights in the welfare of his servant.”
28 Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness
and of your praise all day long.

Psalm 53 (54) NRSV

To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “David is in hiding among us.”

1 Save me, O God, by your name,
and vindicate me by your might.
2 Hear my prayer, O God;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For the insolent have risen against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they do not set God before them. Selah
4 But surely, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
5 He will repay my enemies for their evil.
In your faithfulness, put an end to them.
6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.

Psalm 67 (68) NRSV

Praise and thanksgiving

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm. A Song.

1 Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered;
let those who hate him flee before him.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
as wax melts before the fire,
let the wicked perish before God.
3 But let the righteous be joyful;
let them exult before God;
let them be jubilant with joy.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds—
his name is the LORD—
be exultant before him.
5 Father of orphans and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
6 God gives the desolate a home to live in;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious live in a parched land.
7 O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain
at the presence of God, the God of Sinai,
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad;
you restored your heritage when it languished;
10 your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.
11 The Lord gives the command;
great is the company of those who bore the tidings:
12 “The kings of the armies, they flee, they flee!”
The women at home divide the spoil,
13 though they stay among the sheepfolds—
the wings of a dove covered with silver,
its pinions with green gold.
14 When the Almighty scattered kings there,
snow fell on Zalmon.
15 O mighty mountain, mountain of Bashan;
O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with envy, O many-peaked mountain,
at the mount that God desired for his abode,
where the LORD will reside forever?
17 With mighty chariotry, twice ten thousand,
thousands upon thousands,
the Lord came from Sinai into the holy place.
18 You ascended the high mount,
leading captives in your train
and receiving gifts from people,
even from those who rebel against the LORD God’s abiding there.
19 Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. Selah
20 Our God is a God of salvation,
and to GOD, the Lord, belongs escape from death.
21 But God will shatter the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crown of those who walk in their guilty ways.
22 The Lord said,
“I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 so that you may bathe your feet in blood,
so that the tongues of your dogs may have their share from the foe.”
24 Your solemn processions are seen, O God,
the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,
between them girls playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,
the LORD, O you who are of Israel’s fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in a body,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
28 Summon your might, O God;
show your strength, O God, as you have done for us before.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings bear gifts to you.
30 Rebuke the wild animals that live among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.
Trample under foot those who lust after tribute;
scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Let bronze be brought from Egypt;
let Ethiopia hasten to stretch out its hands to God.
32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;
sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel;
and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God in his sanctuary,
the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

Psalm 69 (70) NRSV

Prayer for deliverance

To the leader. Of David, for the memorial offering.

1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me.
O LORD, make haste to help me!
2 Let those be put to shame and confusion
who seek my life.
Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who desire to hurt me.
3 Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!”
turn back because of their shame.
4 Let all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you.
Let those who love your salvation
say evermore, “God is great!”
5 But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay!