Prayer for Those Setting Out on a Journey

Thou art the Way and the Truth, O Christ: send now to Thy servant an angel as his companion and protector, as once to Tobias, keeping him unharmed from every evil and in all well-being, to Thy glory, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Lover of mankind.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As Thou didst journey with Luke and Cleopas to Emmaus, O Saviour, journey now also with this Thy servant who wishes to travel, and deliver him from every evil circumstance; for Thou canst do all things as Thou willest, as Thou art the Lover of mankind.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who art the true and living Way, who didst will to journey into Egypt with Thy holy betrothed Joseph and Thy most holy Virgin Mother, and didst accompany Luke and Cleopas to Emmaus: now also, O all-holy Master, we humbly pray Thee, accompany these Thy servants with Thy grace; and as to Thy servant Tobias, so to these also send an angel as protector and guide, to guard and deliver them from every assault of enemies visible and invisible, to teach them to fulfil Thy commandments, and to bring them back to their homes in peace and prosperity, in health of body and without disturbance; and grant them every good thing to Thy glory, and the successful accomplishment of their purpose that is well-pleasing to Thee. For Thine is the mercy and our salvation, and to Thee we send up glory, together with Thine unoriginate Father and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O my most holy Lady, Virgin Theotokos, Hodegetria, my protector and the hope of my salvation: now that I wish to set out on the way that lies before me, at this time of my journey I commit to thee, my most merciful Mother, my soul and body, all my powers of mind and body, and I trust wholly in thy mighty regard. O my good fellow-traveller and protector, I earnestly entreat thee that nothing may harm me on this way, but be my guide upon it and direct it, O most holy Hodegetria, as thou thyself knowest, to the glory of thy Son, my Lord Jesus Christ. Be my helper in all things, and especially at this time of distant and hard travel shelter me with thy mighty protection from all afflictions and sorrows that come upon me, from enemies visible and invisible; and entreat for me, O my Lady, thy Son, Christ our God, that He send to my aid His angel of peace, a true guide and guardian, as of old He sent Raphael to His servant Tobias, to guard him from every evil in every place and at every time of his journey; that thus, directing my journey in peace and sheltering me with his heavenly power, he may make me worthy to return home unharmed, in peace and health, to the glory of His holy name, that I may glorify and bless Him all the days of my life, and extol thee also, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.