4 Easy Prayers for Travel

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My pre-trip checklist has become somewhat of a ritual: check the destination weather, overpack my suitcase, and check-in for my flight. Lately, I have also tried to make prayer a priority in my routine. I’ve found that praying for a destination beforehand keeps my focus on God during my trip. It also broadens my perspective and encourages me to be a more mindful traveler. Here are four simple pre-trip prayers for travel.

Pray for the Locals

As a traveler, I don’t often get the full picture of a destination. By nature my visits are short and therefore I don’t get to interact with a majority of the populations who make up a whole place. Pray for all the locals, from the marginalized and at-risk who are normally hidden from visitors to those in the tourism industry who represent their place and interact with outsiders regularly.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

James 5:13

Pray for the Country

In Jeremiah 29, God instructed the exiles to pray for Babylon, a place where they were held captive. Although we are blessed with the freedom to come and go, we can take after Jeremiah’s example with his instruction to seek the welfare of the city. Pray over the government leaders, the economy, and the social justice issues that might be affecting the destination. This is also a great opportunity to do some research on those topics to prepare you before you leave.

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Jeremiah 29:7

Pray for Other Travelers

These days “tourist” has become a dirty word. Although I tend to want to be labeled as a traveler rather than a tourist, we are all just visitors blessed with the privilege of exploring God’s creation. I found that praying for fellow travelers gives me more grace with others- grace I especially need in crowded touristy areas, long lines, and during transportation delays. Pray to see God in others and to have patience and grace with anyone you encounter.

With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness.

James 3:9

Pray for Yourself

Oftentimes I see what I want to see based on my expectations about a place. This is a great prayer for shifting perspectives and discovering more than what you are looking for. Ask God to move your heart to align with His, and be open to seeing the beauty in His creation.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Romans 8:26

I hope these prayers for travel help you focus on God during your adventures. If you liked this guide or if travel has deepened your faith, check out some of my other Christian travel posts. I would love to hear how the Lord has used travel to influence your life!

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