Travel changes your routine.
That change can give you opportunities to think about God in ways you might not during a normal day. So, how can you prioritize reflecting on God during a trip?
Begin the trip with prayer
Before you leave, pray. Ask God to keep you safe, help you enjoy the trip, and make you aware of the people and places around you.
It can be short. You might say:
Dear God, guide me as I travel. Help me notice Your goodness in the people, places, and moments ahead. Keep me close to You through every mile. And keep us safe. Amen.
Pay attention to what you see
Travel gives you plenty to look at. You may see mountains, farmland, or something completely new to you.
Let some of those moments remind you of God. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens tell the glory of God. And the skies announce what his hands have made.”
You might stop at a scenic overlook and simply look around for a minute. Put your phone away and thank God for something you see. It doesn’t have to become a big spiritual moment. Just pay attention. Be still.
Notice the people around you
A trip also puts you around people you would probably never meet at home. You may talk with someone at a restaurant, hotel, or gas station.
Be kind. Thank people. Ask a question when it feels natural. Allow someone to feel the presence of God through you.
You may also meet people whose lives are very different from yours. Travel can help you remember how large the world is and how many different people God loves. You can pray for the people you meet or even for people you simply pass during the day.
Keep part of your devotional routine
You probably will not follow your normal routine exactly while traveling. That’s okay.
Take something small with you. Read a short Bible passage in the morning. Listen to an audio devotion while driving. Pray before bed.
You could also use the Bible App while you travel. From Sea to Shining Sea: Hope for Your Journey is a 7-day YouVersion Bible App plan based on travel experiences from seven states, from Maine to Hawaii. You can read or listen to the short devotions as you travel.
A daily devotional can also give you something simple to return to each day. The point is to keep some connection with your normal time with God, even when the schedule changes.
Give yourself some quiet time
You do not need music, podcasts, or conversation during every minute of a trip. Turn everything off for a little while.
If you are driving, you might spend a few minutes without the radio. If you are at a hotel, sit quietly before everyone else wakes up or before you go to bed.
Think about the day. What did you enjoy? What surprised you? What are you worried about? Talk with God about those things.
Don’t let a delay ruin the day
Travel rarely goes exactly as planned. Flights are delayed. Traffic gets worse. It rains.
You can plan carefully and still have something go wrong. When that happens, stop for a moment before reacting and ask God for patience. You can choose how you respond.
Write down something you want to remember
At the end of the day, think back over what happened. You might write down one thing you are thankful for, one person you met, one place that surprised you, or how you are feeling.
You don’t need to keep a detailed travel journal. A sentence or two is enough.
Those notes may help you remember more than where you went. They can remind you what you were thinking, praying about, or learning during the trip.
Bring something home with you
After the trip, think about whether anything changed in you. Maybe you became more grateful for your home. Maybe meeting someone gave you a different perspective. Maybe seeing a beautiful place reminded you of God’s creation.
You may also realize you need to slow down more often.
You can turn what you noticed into prayer and ask God how it might affect the way you live at home.
Travel gives you new places to see. It can also give you something new to think about.