Prayer while Living Far from Home

Far from my friends and acquaintances, I find myself in a strange land, where as jet I know but very few people. But I know Thee, O Jesus, Thou Son of the Highest, as my Immanuel, my Brother, and my best Friend. Therefore I now turn to Thee, and humbly beseech Thee to have mercy upon me and not forsake roe till I return to my home, yea, till I come to Thee in Thy heavenly kingdom. Thou hast given to Thine own the comforting assurance: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Fulfill this promise in me, and let me always and everywhere feel Thy gracious presence.

Lord, Thou Thyself hast hallowed travel: for in Thy youth didst visit Jerusalem and other places, and during Thy public ministry didst journey to and fro in the Holy Land, doing good, and healing those who had fallen into the hands of Satan. O let me ever think of Thee, and, following Thy example, never do anything in a strange land but that which is honest and pure and of good report, After Thy resurrection Thou didst accompany Thy disciples on the way to Emmaus, and at their request didst abide with them. O abide with me, and leave me not. Remain my Companion, my Protector, my Support, my Counselor, my Guide, my Deliverance. O Lord Jesus, let me find in every event that Thou art near me. Guard me against the company of wicked persons; and if I should find myself in their company, strengthen me lest I share in their sins or permit them to lead me into evil. Give me grace to resist all enticements and temptations, and to preserve a clean conscience. Raise up good and faithful friends in whom I may confide; and let me find profit and blessing in their society.

Lord, take my soul and body into Thy keeping. Grant that I may not only retain my health of body, but may preserve my soul unstained by sin and my conscience undefiled. Bestow upon me through Thy Holy Spirit the contentment of Moses, the chastity of Joseph, the godliness of Samuel, and the temperance of Daniel. Give me prudence, that I may act wisely in all things. Incline my will to virtue, and let me exercise myself in it; that here in this strange land I may acquire and retain a good name, and return home with the testimony of a good conscience and the assurance of Thy favor. Tame my passions, lest they involve me in strife and contention; and let me keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Especially do Thou strengthen me, O my Saviour, to confess and glorify Thee before the world with heart and mouth. And should I be assailed on account of my faith, grant me grace to be ready always to give unto every one that asketh me a reason of the hope that is in me with meekness and fear, and not to permit myself in any way to fall away from Thee, to deny Thy doctrine, or to be unfaithful. Let Thy Word ever be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Then shall I always walk blamelessly and be able to stand before Thee.

Keep me also, O merciful God, alive and well; and let me hear only good news from those whom I left at home. Bless me in the business which has brought me to this place, and crown all my undertakings with success. And when I shall have accomplished the purpose for which I came, bring me back again joyful and happy to my dear ones. Then will I pay my vows to Thee, and without ceasing praise and magnify Thee for all the love and faithfulness which Thou hast shown unto me. Let me remember, however, after I have arrived at home, that I am a stranger and a sojourner on earth: in order that I may spend the days of my pilgrimage in such a manner as to reach at last my true and heavenly fatherland, and there dwell in Thy fellowship forever. Amen.