Travelling can be stressful, especially if you’re traveling by air or sea or crossing dangerous territory. Everything is ready and organized, but there is a nagging feeling at the back of your mind that assumes the worst could happen. Delayed flights and big waves are common, but what if, this time, it’s something more? What if an accident happens during our journey? Would it be better if we just stayed here, where we would be safe?
Have you ever watched the news and seen a report on a car accident or plane crash? Some might have had goosebumps and thought, ‘That could have been me while I was driving’ or ‘that could have been the plane I was on a few weeks ago’. Whenever a faraway disaster strikes, we often wonder what the odds are that it could happen to us, that it could have been us.
Travel anxiety can plague you before you set off, and it can take away the excitement of a vacation or the anticipation of a beautiful, exotic destination. This Catholic prayer for travel will help soothe your nerves and remind you that God is watching over us.
Catholic travel prayer
Merciful Heavenly Father,
Your carefully crafted creations never fail to amaze me. From steep mountains and vast oceans to the mysteriously dark canvas of a night sky splattered with stars, Your majesty and glory ring throughout the world. Your Name has been reverently whispered by generations, and the story of Your miracles has slowly unfolded through the millennia.
I come to You in repentance and shame, for I have sinned. I beg You to wash me with Your blood that was shed on the cross so that I may be purified and renewed. I have accepted Jesus as my one and only path to salvation, and I know that with my unquestionable faith and trust in You, I will one day have everlasting life in Heaven where there will be no pain and sorrow, only happiness and beauty. I am saved by Your grace.
Thank You for the wonderful world I get to see every day: for the melody of the birds and the caress of the wind, for the sounds of laughter and the taste of delicious food, and for the nature that surrounds me. Thank You for every beautiful sight that has blessed my eyes: for the grandeur of the mountains, the expanse of the oceans, and the untold mysteries of the universe. I thank You that I get to see love and friendship in the people around me. It is through these sights that I am motivated to see the world that You have created for all of us.
I pray that You will grant me safety and protection as I set off into the world. Give me peace knowing that You are always with me. This is my humble prayer, O Lord.
May Your Name live on forevermore.
Amen.
Short Catholic prayer for travel
Dear God, please protect me as I am about to embark on this journey. It may be risky and perilous, but I have peace knowing that You will guard me against danger during my travels. I pray that my journey will bring me a fresh perspective and that there will be plenty of wonderful views to admire. Keep me safe, O Lord, and warm me with Your loving embrace. May You deliver my fellow travelers and me safely to our destinations.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
The Word of God
for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’
Luke 4:10 NRSVUE
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
Psalm 121:7-8 NRSVUE
Intercessory prayer to Saint Christopher
Saint Christopher, you are the blessed and holy patron of travelers and drivers, and it is your face that they look upon when seeking protection before setting off. You are the guardian that God assigned to protect them during their journeys. In your life, you were kind and devoted to service. You tirelessly carried people safely across rivers, and while the weight of your noble acts has worn your back, you carry great honor and integrity.
Carry my pleas of repentance to the Lord so that He will lift the burden of sin and guilt that I carry on my back. May He cleanse me of my sins and guide me on a better path, a path that will lead me away from evil and toward heaven.
Saint Christopher, I offer my thanksgiving to the Lord in the form of praises and service. I know that my sins are great, but His love for me is greater. I fully put my trust in Jesus as my one and only savior, and now I strive to live a life of service just as He serviced the people when He was still on Earth.
Please deliver this prayer for protection while traveling to His doorstep. May He keep me safe in His embrace and shield me from any harm that may come my way. May He guide me through whatever path I choose, always looking out for me.
Saint Christopher, pray for all of us. Amen.
Further reflection
Our safety isn’t guaranteed when we travel, and I’m sure you’ve heard about countless plane crashes and boat sinkings. It’s because of this that people are often too scared to travel. However, it’s also important that we get to see the world and change our environment every now and then. After all, we only live once, and we might as well make the most out of life. Offering a prayer for safe travels to the Lord will help protect us from any harm and will also help calm our nerves.
There have been miraculous instances where prayers and faith saved people from harm and even death. One example is a testimony by Xueying from Malaysia, who was driving around the outskirts of her hometown when another car from the opposite direction veered into her lane and collided head-on with her car. While the driver suffered from minor injuries, it was not so easy for Xueying and her passenger, who died that night. While Xueying was unconscious for months, her parents earnestly and diligently prayed to the Lord every day until she woke up and even continued to do so as she recovered slowly.
Xueying’s words are a testimony to God’s power and protection. The power of prayer must not be underestimated because God hears us when we call His name. Remember to whisper a simple Catholic travel prayer before embarking on every journey.
Thank you God for everything