Verses for before you leave
Travel, whether for work, study, mission or family, often brings excitement and nerves together. The Bible is full of journeys: Abraham leaving home, Ruth moving to a new land, Daniel living in exile, Paul crossing the Mediterranean (including the voyage described in Paul is shipwrecked: Bible story and lessons). Some of their words are often chosen by travellers.
Quotes are short, mostly from the King James Version (KJV), which is public domain.
Genesis 12:1. God tells Abraham to go to a land he will be shown. Abraham’s trip began with trust. See Bible verses about trusting God.
Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart… and he shall direct thy paths.”
Psalm 37:23. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.”
Verses for protection on the journey
Psalm 121. This is one of the “songs of ascents” sung by pilgrims. It says, “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (verse 8). Many travellers read it before leaving.
Genesis 28:15. God tells Jacob, who is leaving home with fear, “I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land.”
Psalm 91:11. “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Psalm 139:9-10. “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me.” This verse is often used for people going far away.
A reminder: these verses speak of God’s care and presence, and Christians read them differently on how far they promise safety. They do not replace sensible preparation, such as checking official travel advice, insurance and local laws. Faith and caution are not opposites.
Verses for guidance and peace when anxious
Joshua 1:9. “Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Philippians 4:6-7. Bring requests to God with thanksgiving, and “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds.”
Isaiah 41:10. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee.”
Proverbs 4:23. “Keep thy heart with all diligence.” This is often read as a call to guard your inner life, which can be useful in unfamiliar places where routines change.
For more on anxious thoughts, see Bible verses for mental strength. Anxiety can become overwhelming, and if it does, it is wise to speak with a doctor or licensed counselor. If you ever feel unsafe or in crisis while abroad, contact local emergency services; in the US, 988 is the call-or-text crisis line, though it may not work from other countries.
Verses for homesickness and feeling like a stranger
Hebrews 11:13. Many people of faith confessed that they were “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
1 Peter 2:11. Believers are likewise called “strangers and pilgrims.”
Psalm 137:4. “How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land?” The exiles describe real grief. If you are homesick, you are not alone.
Ruth 1:16. Ruth tells Naomi, “whither thou goest, I will go.” (See Bible stories about loyalty.) She made a new home in a different land, and the book ends with her place in a family and in God’s story.
Jeremiah 29:7. Exiles were told to seek the peace of the city where they lived. Many expats and students take this as encouragement to engage with where they are.
Verses for welcoming strangers
Travel also means being a guest.
- Leviticus 19:34. The stranger who lives with you is to be treated as one born among you, and loved as yourself.
- Hebrews 13:2. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.”
- Matthew 25:35. “I was a stranger, and ye took me in.”
If you are visiting others, receive kindness gratefully. If you meet a traveller, these verses suggest welcome.
What does “abroad” mean in the Bible?
In the KJV, “abroad” usually means widely, outside, or scattered, not “overseas.” For example, Romans 5:5 says that the love of God “is shed abroad in our hearts,” meaning poured out broadly. Acts 8:4 says those who were scattered “went every where preaching the word.” So when people search for “abroad” in the Bible, they often find uses unrelated to foreign travel. The sense of living in another land appears instead in words like “stranger,” “sojourner” and “pilgrim.”
What does the Bible say about borders?
Acts 17:26 says God “hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.” Deuteronomy 32:8 similarly speaks of God setting the boundaries of peoples. Christians read these passages in different ways, and they are sometimes brought into debates on modern borders and immigration. Many writers say scripture gives broad principles, including both order and hospitality to strangers, and not a detailed policy for today’s nations. It is best to read them with care and humility.
A short travel prayer
Lord, go with me. Keep me safe, give me wisdom, and help me be kind to the people I meet. Bring me home well, and keep those I love in your care. Amen.
If your journey is for military service, see Motivational Bible verses for military. If you are heading to a new season of life, Bible verses about goals may also be helpful.