I used to think that prayer was the magical key to a safe journey. I practically went to church every Sunday from the time I was a child until I was about 21 years old. During those years, every time my family and I embarked on a road trip, we would stop the music and recite a special ‘traveling’ prayer, followed by the Holy Father and the Hail Mary, asking for protection and a safe arrival to our destination.
It was a ritual that became ingrained in our travel routine. I never questioned it; I simply went along with it because my parents asked me to. But as I grew older, I started to wonder: Does prayer really make a difference? I mean, there are plenty of people who don't pray when they travel, and nothing bad happens to them. They reach their destination just fine.
So, does prayer hold the power to ensure our safety? Of course not. I stopped doing it and I still arrive safely to my destinations.
Some things are under our control and others aren’t. If you are going on a road trip, what’s in your control are several things. The time you do it: daylight or nighttime. Whether you are focused while driving or distracted by your phone. Which route to take, where to stop. The speed at which you travel. If you drive attentively, follow traffic rules, and are mindful of your surroundings.
But you can’t control the weather, of course. You can see the forecast and plan around that, but that doesn’t guarantee you won’t face weather that makes road conditions more precarious. You don’t control if someone driving in the opposite direction decides to go the wrong way and crashes with you head-on. You don’t control if there’s debris on the road that punctures your tire and makes you spin. You don’t control if fellow travelers fall asleep and swerve towards you.
Yes, prayer can put you in a positive state of mind and instill a sense of hope, expectation and safety. It's like offering yourself a dose of positive affirmations before embarking on your journey. It can boost your confidence and help you feel a ‘safer’ state of mind.
To the Yogis, prayer is not about asking a higher power for protection. The Absolute doesn’t respond to such things. It doesn’t need your worship. It doesn’t answer requests. It doesn’t need your praise. It just is.
The purpose of prayer or any mental affirmation or suggestion is that it puts you in a specific mental condition. When traveling, praying simply reminds you of what lies ahead and keeps safety top of mind. And, of course, you can keep safety top of mind with or without a prayer. It just depends on your belief system, whatever works for you.
Prayer can be good but repetition of words without the proper intention behind them is useless. Some people call it prayer, some call it mantras, some call it affirmations, and some auto-suggestion. The key, however, are not your words, but your intention and feeling when doing it.
