Prayer Life On The Go

Our travel schedules can be packed tightly, running from “rope drop” to “fireworks” every day.  Remember that it is better for you, body and soul, to have some balance and some quiet time with our Lord in Word and prayer.  It is popular to speak of “self-care,” but don’t forget that your spiritual self-care (really God is doing the caring) is vital.  Your devotional/prayer time may look very similar to your home routine, or quite different; just remember to pause and spend time with Christ daily.

 

While this is true for all Christians, my personal traveling is often with fellow Lutherans, as well as a number of Roman Catholic friends.  So the following suggestions come from those two bodies.

 

Location

At home, you may have a "family altar" set up, with Bible, prayer books, crucifix, icons, etc.  While on the road, you may not have the space or ability to set up such a beautiful and peaceful space.  However, you may wish to bring a small crucifix, other icons or cards with sacred images, and perhaps photos of people you want to remember in prayer.  It may be smaller and temporary, but it doesn't have to be utilitarian.

 

For Lutherans

Compact Bible

Yes, many prayer books and breviaries have a lot of Scripture in them, but if you want to continue your daily habit of Bible reading, you need a compact edition to bring with you.  There are many Bible apps for your phone or tablet, however that can strain your eyes after a while, and there is something to be said about your attention while reading from paper, as opposed to the screen.

 

The varieties are endless, but my two favorite translations for word-for-word faithfulness, and understandable English, are the New King James Version, and the English Standard Version. 

 

Lutheran Service Book (LSB)

For members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the most useful book to bring along is Lutheran Service Book.  The book contains many psalms, the liturgies for Divine Services (Masses) as well as Prayer Offices, the Small Catechism, and many hymns.  One drawback is that the Collects of the Day are not included, but virtually everything else you need for Morning Prayer (Matins), Evening Prayer (Vespers) and Night Prayer (Compline), and more is there.

 

Lutheran Breviaries

While the LCMS does not have an official Breviary, the Treasury of Daily Prayer comes closest to that description.  Old Testament and New Testament readings, a hymn stanza, and a writing from those who have gone before us in the faith are provided for each day.  The Prayer Offices from Lutheran Service Book, the entire Psalter, and a variety of Collects are also included.

 

The Lutheran Breviary is an unofficial, but confessionally faithful book that I eagerly anticipate.  Currently in its early research and writing stages, the Medieval and early Lutheran Breviaries are being edited into a goldmine for English-speaking Lutherans.  It is still a couple years on the horizon, but look for this resource.

 

Higher Things Daily Reflections

For daily devotional reading, I enjoy and recommend Daily Reflections from Higher Things.  Higher Things is a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS, providing resources to promote and encourage a Lutheran identity and culture among our youth.  While the target audience is teens, these Reflections are engaging and edifying for any age.  One can access them on the Higher Things website, subscribe to them to be emailed, or even subscribe and  listen to them on the podcast.

 

For Roman Catholics

Compact Bible

For my Roman Catholic friends on the go, the Ignatius Catholic Bible: Compact Edition may be just the thing.  For any reading outside of your missal or breviary, this will be a helpful choice.

 

Catholic Breviaries

Liturgy of the Hours is the official Breviary for English speaking Roman Catholics.  Psalms, readings, hymn verses, and prayers are all laid out, with ribbons to mark the various pages you need for the time of prayer.  It can be intimidating for the newbie but enriching if you stick with it.

 

Divine Worship: Daily Office (Commonwealth Edition) is the official Breviary for the Ordinariate Catholics who have entered communion with Rome from the Anglican Church.  The set up is rather different from the LOTH, and uses Jacobean English.  Also, instead of four volumes, DW:DO is all in one.

 

If you don’t want the added weight in your luggage, or discerning where the ribbons go on a given day of your trip, you can use the Divine Office app.  Every Canonical Hour appointed for each day is there.  If you’d rather, you can even listen to recordings of it, rather than reading.

 

Also, the Ascension app and the Hallow app offer numerous resources; some free of charge, and some with subscriptions.

 

For All

These print and phone-based resources will enrich your quiet time with the Lord.  They give order and clarity to what you may pray.  Of course, this does not discount the importance of spending time in silent and spontaneous mental prayer.  On the contrary, these two forms of prayer complement one another.

 

My prayer for you is that your travel be enjoyable and enriching for body, mind, and spirit.  Enjoy those refreshing moments with the Lord, among the experiences He provides as you journey!