10 Ways Christians Can Grow Spiritually While Traveling

Travel offers adventure, change, and the opportunity to visit new places. However, it also gets you out of your daily routine, which can include your spiritual walk. Here are 10 practical and faith-filled tips to help Christians grow spiritually while traveling and grow closer to God while on the road.

Whether you’re heading out on a family vacation, a business trip, or a mini getaway, your spiritual health doesn’t have to suffer. Let God travel with you!

These 10 tips to help you grow spiritually while traveling are so easy to do. They are also easy NOT to do. Before you travel, get your mind on staying spiritually focused.

#1 Start Your Day with Scripture

Make your quiet time in the Word of God a priority – even when traveling. Begin your day with devotional reading and prayer to center your heart and mind on the Lord. 

This doesn’t have to be a long period of time or a long Bible passage. However, it is an important thing to stay in God’s Word. It will also help you continue your spiritual journey and personal growth when you return home. Make this time an everyday part of your life.

There are a few options for carrying a Bible with you while traveling:

• Pack your every day Bible
• Carry a compact Bible
• Use a Bible app like YouVersion

This is definitely a personal preference. I do not do well with a Bible app, because I get too many pop-ups which can be pretty distracting.

Jay has a compact paperback Bible specifically for when he is on the road.

I prefer putting my everyday Bible in a case and carrying it with me. I am taking notes in my Bible to give to my granddaughter when she graduates, and I don’t want to take a break from that.

As long as you have God’s Word with you, you can continue your “habit” of daily Bible reading.

#2 Plan a Time and Place

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You already know that if you don’t plan it, more than likely it will not happen. We have a lot of things competing for our attention on a regular basis, and travel time whether it is vacation or not is no different.

​Some of the most common things to get us off track when we are traveling are:

• Busy Schedules
• ​Early Plans
• Family Members in closer quarters than we are used to

Plan a Time

To keep these things from getting us off of our spiritual growth journey, the best thing to do is plan for them.

I always prefer reading my Bible in the morning. It is so nice to start the morning off with a cup of coffee and God’s Word. Some people prefer to end the day with the Word.

It all comes down to preference. The important thing is that you set aside a time to meet with the Lord.

On a side note – If you like to read your Bible in the morning, you may have to get up a little earlier if you have scheduled plans.

Find a Place

• Locate a quiet place ahead of time.
• Balconies, Decks, or Porches
• Out at the Beach or Lake
• Hotels that have suites
• Bathrooms (During stays where we did not get a suite, I have moved a chair into the bathroom so the light didn’t glare into the room and wake up Jay.)
• Hallway/Sitting areas or office centers in hotels
• Out by the Pool

I will say that staying consistent with your Bible reading while on vacation is much easier when your spouse or traveling companion has the same spiritual goals.

The main thing is just to have a plan (time and place) for devotional time.

#3 Keep a Travel Prayer Journal

Journaling is a powerful way to reflect on what God is doing in your life.

Each day, Use a small notebook or a journaling app to jot down your prayers, Scriptures, observations, and lessons from your journey.

This doesn’t have to be a long process at all. I have had many devotionals come from journaling about trips. I have also had many observations and ideas of devotionals that I didn’t write down, and those are gone now! Writing them down is the best way to remember them.

#4 Listen to Faith-Filled Podcasts or Worship Music

Download uplifting Christian podcasts or make a worship playlist before your trip. These tools can help fill your travel time with encouragement and truth, helping your spiritual growth thrive on the road. 

You can also set up a Bluetooth speaker and listen to positive Christian music during outdoor activities.

If you are taking a road trip, Sirius XM has great stations with Christian music and teaching.

#5 Attend a Local Church

One of the best ways to feel the Lord’s Presence is to visit a local church. There are many Bible-based local congregations across the globe where you can worship and connect with other followers of Christ.

I remember the first time I attended a church service when I was on vacation. I was only 13 at the time, and I was on vacation with a friend in Red River, New Mexico. When Sunday came around, we drove almost an hour to get to church for worship. At the age of 13, I was surprised that we did this, but that day of worship still sticks out in my mind today!

#6 Embrace God’s Creation – Observe

Take time to appreciate the beauty around you. Whether it’s a beach sunrise, mountain trail, or a simple meadow, let nature draw you into worship as you feel God’s Presence.

Be intentional about actually seeing the beauty in God’s design. It is amazing to see all of the details and God’s creativity in this beautiful world. The landscapes and the living things can be amazing!

Prayer Walks – Listen

While you are out appreciating nature, use that time to take a prayer walk. Praise Him for His creative beauty. 

You don’t even have to do all of the talking. Those quiet times are perfect to just listen for God’s voice and what He wants to tell you. Listening for Him to speak can take your prayer life to another level.

Reflect on Your Experiences

You will be amazed at all of the lessons and amazing things the Lord will show you when you really pay attention. Be sure to take time to reflect on His truths.

​He has spoken to me so many times during morning beach walks (alone with Him). I know He showed me much more, but I didn’t always take time to reflect.

Here are some of the devotionals that came from reflections at the beach:

• Broken but Beautiful
• The Minnow Story
• My Footprints in the Sand
• Happy Shark Week

The Lord shared different types of lessons in the mountains. There were pictures of perseverance, God’s love, and provision.

Always be on the lookout and listen for Him to speak.

#7 Practice Hospitality and Kindness

You don’t have to be on a mission trip to do good work. Being a light for Christ doesn’t stop when you’re away from home. You can display the fruit of the Spirit every where you go!

Look for opportunities to serve or encourage others, even in small ways. A kind word or a helping hand to a flight attendant, tour guide, or even a fellow traveler can make you feel closer to the Lord.

Don’t let your comfort zone keep you from following through if He shows you someone you can bless. The entire encounter can be the biggest blessing for you!

#8 Read a Christian Book or Devotional

I don’t have a lot of time to read for the fun of it on a daily basis. When we travel though, I always have a book.

Reading on an airplane or while sitting on the beach is a must!

Carry a devotional or a book by your favorite Christian author. Books like these can challenge you, provide comfort, or spark a deeper love for Scripture while you’re away.

#9 Have Family Devotions

If you are on vacation with others (family, spouse, friends), take time each night to share anything that stuck out to you during new experiences, while reading your Bible, or listening to the Lord throughout the day.

This not only causes you to reflect, but hopefully it helps others start to use this spiritual discipline to further their spiritual growth as well.

#10 Invite God into Every Moment

Pray as you walk through cities, airports, and scenic trails. Invite the Holy Spirit into your itinerary.

Traveling with a heart tuned to God allows you to see Him and His purposes in even the smallest encounters.

Related Posts

Simple Bible Study Ideas for Spiritual Growth
Top Travel Tips and Tricks

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You don’t have to hit pause on your spiritual life while traveling. With a little intentionality, you can grow even deeper in your relationship with God. 

Whether you’re on a business trip, exploring new cultures, or resting on a beach, spiritual growth is always possible, because God travels with you.

Until next time…

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“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,”
2 Timothy 3:16