Dorm Room Prayer and Blessing

Daily Prayer

It’s back to school for the first (or final) time! Is this year feeling a little more daunting than others? Are you hoping to be more focused on your spiritual life this semester? This daily prayer is a wonderful way to start your day and invite God’s presence into all that you have in front of you today, this week, this year!

God of wisdom and love,

Thank you for another day of discovery and opportunity.

Bless all of us who want to learn and grow with the tools needed to do well.

Give us strength to commit to our studies;

Give us patience to persevere in our endeavors;

Give us joy to foster good relationships;

Give us courage to reflect well on all that happens today.

May we prosper by what we learn and what we share this day.

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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Dorm Room Blessing

You’re back to (or new to) college and getting settled into your digs. Does your dorm room feel like it needs a little spiritual intervention? You can use this dorm room blessing to invite God into your college living quarters. You can pray this with your roommates or even gather together the people who live in your hallway and go from room to room to bless each space. There’s an option to use holy water in this blessing if you happen to have some. And remember, this Dorm Room Blessing is for everyone! Unlike other blessings, this blessing doesn’t need to be performed by a clergy member, nor do you need any advanced theological training to bless your dorm room for the coming year.

Greeting

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May the God whom we glorify with one heart and voice enable us, through the Spirit, to live in harmony as followers of Christ Jesus, now and forever. Amen.

Scripture Readings

(You may read one or both.)

2 Samuel 7:28-29

And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant;now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you; for you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.

1 Timothy 4:4-15

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer. If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance.For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. These are the things you must insist on and teach.Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

Intercessory Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you have made your home with us. Confident in your loving grace and power, we come to you with our prayers, saying:

(Ask everyone to respond with “Lord, hear our prayer.”)

King of Kings, dwell with us in this dorm room, that we may honor you always as the Savior and Head of our lives, we pray … Lord, hear our prayer.

Gracious Lord, help us in our academic pursuits for the good of our development and for the good of all whom we encounter, we pray … Lord, hear our prayer.

Almighty Savior, let your grace help this dorm room to always be a light of your hope, peace, and love for all who enter in, we pray … Lord, hear our prayer.

Wonderful Counselor, dry all tears, calm any fears, alleviate our worries, and allow us to sleep in your consoling peace, we pray … Lord, hear our prayer.

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Prayer of Blessing

Lord, we have prepared a place for you here.

Be with all of us who will live in this dorm room this semester,

We ask for your presence and your blessing.

Shelter us when we are at home,

Walk with us when we are away,

And welcome every guest with us.

And, when our life’s journey is done,

May we dwell with you in the place you have prepared for us in God’s House,

Where you live forever and ever.

Amen.

Sprinkling Prayer

(If you have holy water, say this before sprinkling. If you don’t have holy water, move on to the Final Blessing.)

Let this water call to mind our baptism into Christ, who has redeemed us by his death and resurrection. Amen.

Final Blessing

May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and may the word of Christ in all its richness dwell in us so that whatever we do in word and in work, we will do in the name of the Lord. Amen.

[Note: This Dorm Room Blessing has been adapted from the “Order for the Blessing of a New Home” found in the USCCB’s “Book of Blessings” and is appropriate for anyone to use.]

Fr. Steven Bell, CSP, is a Paulist priest who leads parish missions, retreats, revivals and workshops, all of which consider the importance of reconciliation and healing. Fr. Steve previously served as associate director of Newman Hall / Holy Spirit Parish at the University of California at Berkeley and associate director of St. Thomas More Newman Center at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. Prior to this assignment, Fr. Steve was the associate director of Busted Halo. Ordained in 2008, Fr. Steve served at St. Austin’s in Austin, Texas, where he led lessons on faith for school-aged kids at summer camp and motivational talks for African-American professionals. He also led retreats and missions for young adults and other groups in the church.