Exodus 33:15 - Journey Mercies

It's funny how Christians have developed their own in-house lingo for all kinds of things.

Take "journey mercies," for example. It's shorthand to summarize the following prayer,

"Dear God, I'm about to take a long road trip. Don't let me eat any tainted food at restaurants along the way. Please keep me safe, my car in working order, don't let me be slowed down by weather, detours, rush hour traffic, or a long train at a railroad crossing. Basically, it would be great if You could make sure that I arrive at my destination ahead of schedule without breaking the speed limit, or at least not getting stopped by a patrolman, and if I'm pulled over, that I don't get more than a warning. And if I'm traveling with children, keep them from fighting in the back seat, or getting car sick at an inopportune time. If at all. Amen."

I bet you didn't know that all that was included in "journey mercies." Now there's certainly nothing wrong with praying for God to guide our travels. But why do we pray that way for long road trips, and not driving to work, running errands, etc.?

Moses once prayed, "Lord, don't have me move one more step unless I know that You're going with me." It's a paraphrase from Exodus 33:15, and Moses' situation at the time was much more momentous than my going to the grocery store or post office. But the sentiment should be the same.

And so we pray,
"God, whatever we do today, and wherever we go, we need Your presence--not just to get us through the day, but because we need You, period. In Jesus' name, Amen.