Archangel in the Alleyways: Cleansing Kings Cross

Moving to Elizabeth Bay, on the edge of Potts Point and Kings Cross, I found myself in a place layered with stories—some bright, many shadowed, all in need of healing. Kings Cross, once infamous as Sydney’s red-light district and the city’s beating heart of nightlife, still hums with echoes of its past. The neon signs may have dimmed, and the crowds may have changed, but the Cross remains a crossroads of humanity: a place where the lost, the hopeful, the weary, and the searching all pass through.

Most mornings, I walk to the train station, a five-minute journey through the Cross. I move quietly among the early risers, the shift workers, the traveler's with heavy bags, the souls who seem burdened by more than just the day ahead. I do not pray aloud, but in the silence of my heart, I lift them up—entrusting each face, each story, to the realms of heaven. I ask for peace, for protection, for hope to break through. I trust that God hears these silent prayers, moving in unseen ways through the streets and hearts of Kings Cross. Even a simple walk becomes a sacred act, a reminder that every step can be a meeting place between heaven and earth.

Recently, I have felt the presence of Archangel Michael accompanying me—a steady, unseen companion as I settle into my new congregation at St James. By what some might call coincidence, but I prefer to call a “God instance,” St Michael is one of the Archangels especially venerated by the Church.

The angels are God’s messengers, and Michael, the great protector, is named in Scripture as the defender of heaven and of human souls. He is the one who stands against the darkness, the warrior who defeats the devil. In this city, in this season, I feel his presence as a sign of God’s providence and care.

My new home is an older building, and soon after moving in, I found myself holding a bottle of Fatima water—holy water from the Sanctuary in Portugal. With the guidance of the Anglican Rite of Exorcism, as a lay person I prayed over my space, asking for cleansing and blessing. It was not superstition, but a declaration of faith: that Christ’s authority is real, that his peace can fill every corner, that no darkness is too deep for his light.

The rituals of exorcism and blessing, as preserved in the Exeter Report, are not just relics of the past but living acts of faith. The report, a careful Anglican examination of exorcism, details how the Church has always prayed for protection “from the crafts and assaults of the devil,” and for deliverance from “all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil.” These prayers are woven into the Book of Common Prayer, the baptismal rites, and the liturgies for the sick and the dying. They remind us that the Christian life is a journey of renouncing darkness and embracing the light of Christ.

When a place is to be exorcised and blessed, the ritual is both practical and deeply spiritual. The community gathers, prayers are said, and the exorcist moves from room to room, invoking the peace of Christ and the presence of holy angels. The ritual includes the Lord’s Prayer, confession, readings from the Gospels, and the sprinkling of holy water. The exorcist prays:

“God, the Son of God, who by death destroyed death, and overcame him who had the power of death, beat down Satan quickly. Deliver this place from all evil spirits; all vain imaginations, projections and phantasms; and all deceits of the evil one; and bid them harm no one but depart to the place appointed them, there to remain for ever. God, incarnate God, who came to give peace, bring peace.”

One of the most beautiful and ancient parts of the ritual is the blessing of salt and water. Salt, a symbol of purity and preservation, is first exorcised and blessed:

“I exorcize you, creature of salt, by the living God, so that you be fit for the healing of mind and body of all who use you. Wherever you are sprinkled may all evil and wicked thoughts depart, all works and deceits of the evil one be driven away, and all unclean spirits be cast out, by him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Amen.”

Then the water is exorcised and blessed, and the salt is poured into the water:

“May this mixing of salt and water be done in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

The holy water is then sprinkled throughout the home, a tangible sign of God’s blessing and protection.

These rituals are not “Christian magic,” but visible prayers—symbols of the Church’s faith in God’s power to heal, cleanse, and protect. They are acts of hope, rooted in the authority of Jesus Christ, who gave his followers power over unclean spirits and called them to bring peace wherever they go.

The Bible is clear about the reality of evil and the authority of Christ over it. Jesus confronted Satan in the wilderness and cast out demons throughout his ministry. He gave his followers authority over unclean spirits, saying:

“Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness... As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.” (Matthew 10:1, 7–8)

“The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 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.’” (Luke 10:17–19)

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:8)

Exorcism, deliverance, and spiritual cleansing are not relics of the past, but living ministries founded in the authority of Jesus Christ. Whether you are seeking freedom for yourself, your family, or your home, remember that God’s power is greater than any evil. Through prayer, faith, and the ministry of the Church, we can experience true deliverance and peace. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

After Easter, as we celebrate the Risen Lord, these ministries take on even deeper meaning. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate sign that darkness, sin, and death have been defeated. When we pray for deliverance or participate in exorcism, we do so not out of fear, but out of confidence that Christ has already won the decisive battle. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us and in the world. When we pray for deliverance, we are standing in the truth that Christ’s resurrection has broken every chain. The rituals of exorcism and spiritual cleansing are expressions of this hope. They are ways the Church continues the ministry of Jesus, setting people free and bringing peace where there was once turmoil. As we move forward from Easter, let us remember that we are people of the resurrection, empowered to live in freedom and to help others do the same, trusting always in the victory of Jesus.

In the Cross, in every city, in every heart, the light still shines.

Almighty God, you govern the courses of this world by means too wonderful for us to comprehend: give us reverence before the mysteries of your providence, and grace to know the messengers of your will. Amen

A word of caution:
These rituals and prayers are not to be undertaken lightly or without proper spiritual guidance. I share my experience as someone who has been licensed by another church and has received theological training. Before performing any form of exorcism, deliverance, or spiritual cleansing, always consult with a minister or priest who is experienced in this ministry. Before undertaking any of these prayers or rituals, I also prayed St. Patrick’s Breastplate—a traditional prayer for protection. Please seek guidance and never attempt these practices alone or without the blessing and support of the Church.