The creation of cars is one of man’s greatest innovations. From the simple mechanics of wheels and gears, it has become a vital instrument to the economic growth and stability of a populace. Without cars, we cannot imagine how inaccessible and difficult life would be. We would still be traveling on our horses or donkeys, on the road for days. Thanks to man’s intuitiveness and ingenuity, we now have cars to carry goods which allow us to travel long distances comfortably. We also thank God for providing the riches of the earth as materials in the production of cars. Advancements in technology will hopefully abolish the environmental downsides of our cars in the near future.
We offer this moment our prayer for protection for cars and driving. We offer our thanksgiving for the blessing of accessibility to such a wonderful instrument. With our cars, we are able to travel long distances, carry goods to those in need, reach deserted areas, and meet various people everywhere. Our cars may become a sign of our vanity, but we hope that they could be an instrument of charity in the propagation of God’s word to the nations.
Prayer for car protection
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
When You were still within the womb of Mary, she and Joseph had traveled miles on foot, fulfilling God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. They were obedient and patient to undergo the expedition before and after You were born. They experienced the toils and afflictions of journeying on foot in an arid desert, and they endured all of it for the sake of Your welfare. Throughout their tumultuous journey, God was with them.
Dear Jesus, in Your public ministry, You went out to tirelessly proclaim God’s word, mercifully cured the sick, and generously provided for the poor and the needy. You never failed to reach each corner of every place You visited. You shone like a bright light in a dark room, shunning the darkness of ignorance and sin and filling it with Your wisdom and greatness. How beautiful are the feet which traversed the dusty roads of the earth and never wavered in fulfilling God’s plan. On the way towards the cross, You willingly journeyed through the path of suffering and humiliation, towards Your abasement and unjust persecution. Yet, in this difficult journey, God was with You.
With confidence, I pray to Your powerful name to protect me and my car in every journey that I undertake. Shine Your guiding light before me so that I may steer away safely from any accidents. Grant me an alert mind that I may observe traffic regulations properly. Implant in me a patient spirit whenever I interact with my fellow motorists. May You keep my passengers safe from any risks or accidents when I am driving. Allow me to bring them safely to their destinations. May we remember our responsibility as motorists in matters of road safety and of care of our common home. May we strive to reduce our carbon footprint by being mindful of our emissions in using our vehicles. In patronizing and supporting sustainable and renewable energies, may we lead a life that values and respects the biosphere.
I confess, in my humility, the times when I chose to value my car over other, more important things. In times when it has become a symbol of my vanity, let me realize that it is a great blessing to receive from You. In times when I become boisterous on the road, remind me of the mercy I receive from You every day. In times when I feel lost, I hope to feel Your presence closer to guide me throughout my journey.
Amen.
Short Prayer for car protection
Take the wheel, O Lord Jesus Christ, in the long drive of my life. I entrust to You all of my cares and worries to be my surety in this journey called life. Amen.
The Word of God
“Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge shall come before your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all of your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”
Psalm 91:9-12 NRSVUE
Prayer to Our Lady of the Way for car protection
Our Lady of the Way, our morning star, guide us in our journey in life. Protect my passengers and me as I put myself behind the wheel to drive us toward our destination. May we arrive safely and fulfill what awaits us. Let our journey be free from harm, and our purpose be grace-filled.
Dear Lady, you have always been the guiding star among the saints. Particularly, Saint Ignatius of Loyola sought your powerful intercession during his battle when he was still serving as a soldier. Once in Rome, the devotion to your heavenly title gathered your devout children, soldiers, and pilgrims under your mantle of protection and light of guidance. Under this title, You became the patroness of the Jesuits, the priests, and brothers of the Society of Jesus who continue to propagate and lead your children back to Jesus.
In this drive that I will take, may you be my guiding star amidst the perils of the journey that I will make. Abound in me the grace of patience and understanding for any inconvenience that I may experience. Grant me the grace of alertness and mindfulness in driving. May I be reminded that I am also a fellow pilgrim on earth who longs to reach my ultimate destination, that is, to be in the loving presence of the Father. May I never stray for God’s way and ever direct myself towards the unfailing star which draws everyone close to Him.
Our Lady of the Way, pray for us. Amen.
Further reflection
Life can be a long and difficult journey. Some people try to look for shortcuts in life but, unfortunately, meet with their demise. Some people can be too cautious to decide or even afraid to try, which could end up with unfulfilled dreams and regrettable life choices. We should not be too careless or, on the other extreme, too scared to move. Experience life as it is, my friend. Truly, difficulties and challenges do come in our everyday life. But these inconveniences allow us to grow within, to learn more about ourselves, and to mature in our faith in God.
Take, for example, how we maintain our vehicles, especially our cars. Once we experience problems along the road, we try our best to fix the problem. We anticipate the problem to recur in preparing any preventive measures that it’ll happen. Thus, making us more knowledgeable about its issues and giving us the upper hand in preventing such problems from happening. The problems that we encounter in our journeys are milestones of learning in life.
Friend, strive not to hurry, nor be too cautious in doing what makes us happy in life. The journey matters more than the final destination. And yet, what we accumulate or learn in our journey directs our ultimate end. We hope that in everything we do, in anything we choose, and with anyone we love, we allow Christ to be part of it. Let the love of Christ urge us to be more charitable and to be more lovable. Eventually, we can all see each other on the other side of life: a life full of joy, a life free from any pain, and a life spent eternally with our Father in heaven.
