Blessing of a New Home in a New Place

By Rev. Matt Clark

Nepali believers at the house blessing

Purchasing and moving into a new home is a significant landmark event for any family. But imagine how much more exciting a move into a new house is, when that house is in a new nation! I recently had the privilege of sharing in the joy of Chattra and Shiva Gurung as they and their children—Saraswoti and Samuel—moved into their new home not far from Morgan Ford Road.

The family graciously invited me to their housewarming party specifically to bless their home. As Christians, the Gurung family recognized the importance of their new home being blessed by the Word of God and prayer. The Word of God we read together was from Matthew 7, where Jesus gives a picture of a wise man who built his house on the rock. It’s a fitting reminder of the importance of a family’s home, and lives, being built on Jesus and His words.

I wasn’t the only one invited to this celebration. The new home was filled with family members as well as others from CFNA and Ascension Lutheran Church. We sang together, laughed together, and many of those at the event ate together. With the help of our Nepali Ministry Facilitator, Gagan Gurung, we also prayed together in English and Nepali. We prayed, “Lord God Almighty, bless this home. Drive from here the evil one and send Your holy angel to guard all who dwell here. Mercifully hear their prayers and, when their last hour comes, grant them haven in Your heavenly mansions; in Jesus’ name, Amen.”