Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Ezra 8:15-32 – Praying through the Bible #145 – A Prayer for Traveling Grace
The phrase is not written in Scripture, but the idea is: Traveling Grace. The idea is spiritual and simple, asking God for safe travels. Most times, most of us probably are too harried by preparation – and kids – and exhausted from the trip upon return, to immediately ask or thank God for “traveling grace.” I prayed more riding my motorcycle than driving my car – I was more conscious how precarious is life. Such a habit, if more than a habit, is commendable. Let’s examine a deeper purpose for traveling grace. Be honest, when praying for a safe journey, or thanking God for one, what is the focus? Is it just about point A to point B? Let’s refocus; there is more to traveling grace, it is traveling for and with God.
Ezra is a meticulous planner, and a mighty believer in God. His success is God’s: “since the gracious hand of our God was on us” (Ezra 8.18). Gathered at the river of Ahava to begin his journey, Ezra continues to organize the trip. Included is spiritual organization, preparing people by fasting and prayer (8.21): “I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us, our children, and all our possessions.” In modern parlance, Ezra is praying for traveling grace.
This is more than asking that camels being surefooted. Ezra is on a mission. Implied is that safety is needed to complete God’s assignment. That is the first deeper meaning for traveling grace. Whether traveling to do God’s work, visiting relatives, or going on vacation, keep in mind and prayer we are on earth to serve. Consider the following description of David as applying to us too: “For David, after serving his own generation in God’s plan, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and decayed” (Acts 13.36). Jesus’ prayer, “Your will not mine be done” is the purpose of traveling grace. If God grants His grace, bestows his favor, and extends our lives past our trip, the purpose is not just God providing safety to us, but us providing service to God. Traveling grace is traveling for and with God.
Not just implied but stated is the second deeper meaning for traveling grace. Referring to the fasting and prayer, Ezra comments, “I did this because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, ‘The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who abandon Him” (8.22). The trip itself was declared a glory to God and an act of faith in God. There are Biblical examples of God’s servants using protective service, or being providentially given such. The point is not that good Christians should eschew help. The point is everything Ezra does is not about Ezra: “So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and He granted our request” (8.23). Traveling grace is traveling for and with God.
Prayer Challenge: When praying for traveling grace, focus more on serving than safety.
Comments