Psalm 121: The Traveler’s Prayer
Back in 1975, I took my first trip on an airplane. Before boarding, my mother gave me a hug and handed me a folded piece of paper, and said to me,”This is the Traveler’s Prayer. Recite it before the airplane takes off.”
When I got on the plane, I opened the piece of paper and on it she had scrawled Psalm 121. I did as she had asked and recited the Psalm before take-off. I have carried this tradition throughout my entire life. Part of my pre-travel routine has become the Psalm 121. I get a sense of peace and security when I recite it. In helps to solidify my faith. Each time I recite it, I am reminded of my mother and I find myself back at that small airport in 1975 getting ready to fly for the first time.
It doesn’t matter if I am flying, driving, biking or hiking. If it is a journey of any sort, I recite Psalm 121. It doesn’t matter if my travel is for business or pleasure, I always recite the Psalm.
My faith is extremely important to me. It goes with me on every business call I make and is a part of my every day life. It is who I am.
I have made reciting the Psalm a tradition. Perhaps you have a similar tradition. If you don’t, no worries. I offer you mine:
Psalm 121 New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
