The road is a test full of difficulties for both an experienced motorist and a novice driving. Of course, believers need support and support, which are given to them during prayer.
Before going on a trip, people not only turned to the saints or the Lord himself, but also visited the temple and received a blessing from the clergyman. Now this is done only before long trips, and in everyday ones they read a prayer on their own.
Why pray before the road?
Prayer to people traveling by car gives confidence in their own abilities, gives inner peace, relieves nervous tension. After all, a trip behind the wheel of a car, however, as in the passenger’s seat, regardless of the distance that must be covered, is invariably a source of danger. Accidents on the roads often happen, and they often happen through the fault of drivers.
People are not robots, many everyday little things that many do not even think about affect the attention and ability to respond quickly. For example, a person driving a car can get a bad night's sleep, be under the influence of stress, or experience a quarrel with loved ones. There are many other factors that create a potential danger during the trip. Even the stomach aches caused by a quick bite instead of a full breakfast can distract a person from driving.
The prayer of those traveling by car is called to help cope with this. The appeal to the saints, as well as to the Lord himself, sets up the driver, promotes concentration of attention and does not allow vain troubles, anxious thoughts to master the mind.
Where to pray before the trip? At home or sitting behind the wheel?
There are no special requirements or rules regarding exactly where to pray with the upcoming trip. However, as well as time limits. It is convenient for some drivers to pray in their home walls, before going out. Others feel the need to turn to higher forces on the eve of the trip, in the evening, before bedtime. As a rule, those who do not have the usual everyday route, but a long journey, for example, to a neighboring city, do this.
Many drivers are not particularly comfortable turning to the Lord or saints in their home walls. Not always in the home may the necessary privacy be possible. Often households escorted to the front door, not leaving for a minute alone. In such situations, usually the prayer of travelers traveling by car is read before turning the key in the ignition switch, that is, already in the car itself, immediately before setting off.
Do I need icons in the car?
People ask this question quite often. On the one hand, the image does not hurt, and on the other - is it right? After all, icons were not attached to horses in the old days, does the placement of images of any traditions violate?
As for the old customs, nothing really was attached to the harness. However, the icons were placed in carriages. Moreover, the prayer for those traveling on the road was a must-read, traditional, as well as the observance of some signs. For example, everyone knows the custom that prescribes "sit on the track." As a rule, people don’t think about its meaning, but simply follow it.
Similarly, you need to relate to the presence of icons in the car. Do not think about whether it is right or not, you just need to believe that in a difficult moment a small image will help and protect. It is important to place the icons correctly. Faces of saints should be directed towards the cabin, as if to look at the passengers and the driver, and not look at the ceiling.
Who do they pray before the trip?
Prayers for those traveling by car and train, flying on an airplane or embarking on any other form of transport, are traditionally addressed to such saints:
- Nikolai the Miracle Worker;
- Procopius
- forty martyrs of Sebaste;
- Rev. Cyril and Mary.
Of course, prayers are addressed to the Virgin and to the Lord himself.
How to pray?
Prayer to those traveling by car on the road can be said in their own words. The only thing that must not be forgotten is the “components of the effectiveness” of prayer — faith, simplicity, purity of heart, and thoughts.
Quite often, questions arise about whether to use old texts when referring to saints. All prayer books were once written by people; accordingly, using the old is not so necessary. The disadvantage of ancient texts is that they are full of long forgotten, out-of-date words that are not particularly clear to modern man. And the prayer of the travelers traveling by car, however, as well as the appeal to the saints under any other circumstances, should be extremely simple. If the text is filled with words that are difficult to pronounce and unclear in meaning, then the person who is praying will only think about whether he is pronouncing something correctly, and not concentrate on his appeal to the Lord.
An example of a prayer addressed to Nicholas the Wonderworker
This saint is one of the most revered in Russia. People come to him with all kinds of requests and needs and always receive truly wonderful help. It is not surprising that the prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for traveling by car is considered among the most powerful among the people.
Sample text:
“He who is the heavenly protector, saint for us before the Lord, Nikolai! Do not leave your grace, save, save, do not allow disaster in the long journey. Get rid of dangers and temptations, do not let your eyes and mind become clouded, save and return home intact. Amen".
The prayer of those traveling by car to Nikolai Ugodnik, pronounced about himself, can be this:
"Nikolai the Miracle Worker! Protect me on my way from misfortune. Do not let your eyes and mind clouder, save from danger. Keep me safe and sound, tell me a short and easy way. Amen".
An example of a prayer addressed to the Monks Cyril and Mary
Cyril and Maria are the parents of Sergius of Radonezh. These people in their lifetimes were distinguished by meekness of temper, piety and piety. They were characterized by compassion and caring for those in need. Saints will surely come to the aid of everyone who needs it, and will reassure those who worry about loved ones on the road.
A prayer for traveling by car, addressed to Cyril and Mary, may be this:
“Holy intercessors, saints before the throne of the Lord, Cyril and Mary! Do not leave in difficult times and moderate anxiety in the heart. Do not let evil thoughts harm the servants of God that they abide in the way. Give the way light, clear weather. Take aside troubles and dangers, return home safe and sound. Take a look on the way, but lighten it. Amen".
An example of a prayer addressed to the forty martyrs of Sebaste
The prayer of those traveling by car to the great martyrs of Sebaste may be:
“The great martyrs, who accepted martyrdom away from their home for faith in our Lord Jesus! I beseech you, do not leave to your own devices, save from danger and viciousness, do not let create. Give peace and reason, help along the way to observe prudence, and look around with humility. Amen".
Traditionally, these saints turn to hot-tempered people, prone to rash decisions and actions, especially while driving.
An example of prayer addressed to St. Procopius
Both the drivers themselves and their loved ones, worried about the safety of relatives on the way, turn to this saint.
An appeal to a saint may be as follows:
“The Martyrs of Christ, Procopius!” Before your prayer for the sending of mercy, protection and admonition to the servants of God (the names of those who are on the way). I ask you for help and looking, for getting rid of difficulties and dangers. I pray to bring home the servants of God in good health. Amen".
If the driver himself turns to the saint for help, then the text may sound like this:
“Saint Procopius, martyr and intercessor! Help me along the way. Send the easy road, lead to the side of danger and save from temptations. Do not let the passengers know my troubles, but the family of grief. Bless and save. Amen".
An example of prayer addressed to the Virgin
The Mother of God is traditionally addressed by women who are worried about men on the way. Pray before the image of the Virgin, not only mothers about children, but also wives about husbands, daughters about fathers. The Mother of God does not disregard any request, but, of course, it is necessary to turn to her with rapture and deep faith.
A prayer for loved ones traveling in a car addressed to the mother of Jesus may be:
“The mistress of heaven, the Most Holy Mother of God, our intercessor! Do not leave my prayer, put your soul on faith, and deliver from confusion. Do not let fearful thoughts take over my mind, get rid of anxieties and obscenities. Rest and wait for the servant of God (the name of the one for whom they pray). Send him the way without danger. Look after him, save on the way. Do not let suffer bodily or materially. Keep in good health and return home safe and sound. Look, teach and help the servant of God along the way. Amen".
Often, women traveling in the passenger seat find that a man drives a car too quickly. Of course, they are scared. Many representatives of the fair sex begin to express their concerns to the driver, thereby diverting his attention from the road and creating a potentially dangerous situation. This is not necessary.
Instead of stopping a person from operating the machine, you should close your eyes and read a short prayer to yourself:
“The Most Holy Mother of God, the All-Seeing and All-Hearing, the patroness of the human race! Hear me, servant of God (proper name). Deliver my soul from confusion, remove the veil of fear from the mind. Give me patience and strengthen my faith. Deliver the servant of God (the name of the driver) from the temptation of folly, do not allow sinful thoughts and excitement into his mind and soul. Amen".
An example of prayer addressed to the Lord
Drivers are often interested in the question of whether the prayer is strong, short and effectively helps in any situation that may arise on the road. Of course, such texts exist, and they are addressed to the Lord himself. This is quite logical, because any person who finds himself in an extreme or simply difficult situation first of all recalls God, and not any of the holy intercessors.
Sample text:
“Lord Almighty! Help, save and save me, your servant. Get rid of the folly and don't let me know the bribes. Save my health intact, do not allow anger in my heart, save my mind from evil thoughts. Amen".
What should not be forgotten?
Of course, she will always protect and save on the road, the prayer delivered in front of her by traveling by car will help. The driver, in spite of the power of prayer, cannot be distracted - this should not be forgotten.
The people in antiquity formed a good proverb calling to hope in the Lord, but at the same time not to flatter themselves. It is in the pursuit of this wisdom that the secret of road safety, the preservation of one's own health and the integrity of the car on the road, lies.