A Captain’s Prayer

Being a captain is not a simple job whether at sea or up above in the skies. If you are a sea captain, you are in charge of the whole ship; that includes the mariners that are working under your command. A pilot captain may not have crews under his command, but instead, he and his co-pilot are carrying many passengers on the plane and have a great responsibility. Every decision that a captain makes is crucial, especially during an emergency. That is why every Christian captain must pray before their travels. Given a captain’s responsibility, one thing you can pray for is wisdom as you make every decision. You can also pray for God’s grace to help you be always attentive and excellent in everything you do.

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Here is a simple way to pray for wisdom and grace before you begin your voyage/journey:

For a sea captain:

Heavenly Father, give me the wisdom that I need as we start our voyage—that every single decision I make for my ship and my crew will always be the best one. Help me exercise wisdom with a calm mind even when under pressure. Give me Your grace, Father, that I may be an excellent captain for my crew and lead them on a safe voyage on the sea. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

For a pilot captain:

Heavenly Father, I pray for the wisdom that I need as we are about to fly toward our destination. Give my co-pilot and me the grace we need—that we may be able to fly this plane skillfully and bring our passengers safely to where we are heading. In an emergency or unforeseen circumstance, give us the wisdom, Father, to solve the problem and keep our passengers and flight crew safe. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

How do you pray for a journey?

Depending on whether you are a captain on a boat or an airplane, there are many things you can pray for. For example, if you are a sea captain, you can pray for clear weather, that there will be no storms along the way or you and your ship won’t be caught up in the storm in the middle of the voyage. You can also pray for unity among your crew on the ship, as sometimes conflicts can arise between people in a crew. You can pray for safety as you pass through areas notoriously known for pirates that hijack ships. If you are a pilot captain, you too can pray for good weather. You can also pray that the maintenance crew of your aircraft has done an excellent job in maintaining the aircraft that you are about to fly because a poorly maintained aircraft can cause many problems. 

Psalm 91:1

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:4

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Here is one of the ways you can pray for your journey as a captain:

For sea captains:

Heavenly Father, I pray for good weather as we start our voyage. I pray that we won’t be caught up in the middle of a storm as we travel far out to sea. I pray for peace and unity among my crew, that the members will work together well despite their differences. Protect us, Lord, from any pirates who might attempt to board our ship. You are my refuge and my fortress, God, in whom I trust. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

For pilot captains:

Heavenly Father, I pray that the maintenance crew of the aircraft that I am about to fly with my co-pilot has done its work with excellence. Give them the grace, Father, to maintain and check every part of the aircraft without missing anything. I also pray for good weather on our flight, God; that there won’t be any storm or strong turbulence. Father, may our passengers have a safe and comfortable flight. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What are travel mercies?

“Travel mercies” is the term used for God’s compassion for us when we are away from home. Only by His mercy can no harm befall us. Captains can also pray for traveling mercies as they make their way at sea or up in the air. Travel mercies are not just about protection from harm, but they are also a mercy from other things such as encountering technical problems, delays, and any other challenges or difficulties that can come up during travel. 

Lamentations 3:22-23

22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

You can pray this prayer for travel mercies as you start your voyage/flight:

Father in heaven, I pray for Your mercies as we start our voyage/flight. I pray that you will keep us safe for the entire duration of our travel. I also pray that there shall be no jeopardy when it comes to the technical aspect of my ship/aircraft. I pray for a smooth voyage/flight, Father. I thank You because Your mercies are new every morning. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Yes, as captain, you have the responsibility to make sure that everything is right before, during, and after your voyage/flight so that you can ensure that your crew and passengers are all safe until they reach their destination. However, we must remember that everything does not depend on us. We may do everything that we can to do things perfectly, but in the end, we depend on God for a safe journey. Hence, as captain, you ought to pray to God about any concerns with your voyage/flight.