When I went to Budapest I spent an extra day ‘bunged up’ in the hotel. When I was feeling better I took a walk across the road to the famous cave church. I love visiting places like this – and when I was still feeling under the weather the quiet time and reflection really helped.
On the way out the gentleman who was looking after the place noticed I wasn’t a local and asked where I’d come from. I told him my story – a short run out from the UK on my motorbike – I’d hardly finished the sentence before he was digging around in a pile of pendants… he gave me a St Christopher and told me to take it home to my local church and ask my priest to bless it.
Click to read the full prayer
This is the prayer that the vicar at Bledlow wrote for me – we said it together with Catherine last night. I think it’s beautiful and it will come with me on all my travels. I hope you have something that you can carry next to your heart on your travels, something that gives you faith that the road ahead will not be too dangerous, that the people you meet will be kind and friendly and that your motorbike hangs together just long enough to get you around the world.
My Travellers Prayer
Written for me by our vicar, Jennifer Locke.
Heavenly Father, we ask for your blessing upon this emblem of your saint, Christopher, holy patron of travellers.
May Matthew travel consciously with Christ as his companion.
Give him wisdom that he may travel prudently and with due regard to the safety and customs of others he may meet on his way.
Give him the awareness to perceive in the beauty of nature a reflection of your glory.
Still his heart that he may be at peace with your world and your people and reflect your light to those who have not yet come to know you.
As Matthew wears this emblem, may it be a reminder to him that you are there to protect and guide him in his going out and his coming in.
In Jesus name, Amen.
