Pray for a Peaceful, Safe Vacation With These Blessings for Summer
There's so much to be grateful for during the summer months. The weather is sunny and warm, the kids are off from school, vacation season is in full swing, and backyard gardens are thriving with fresh produce and gorgeous blooms. It's the perfect time to reflect on the many blessings in your life and to recite summer prayers that speak to the season full of hope, joy, love, and relaxation.
The summer blessings we found below are not only great for expressing gratitude. Some of the prayers for summertime on this list are also meant to offer protection to you, your family, and those less fortunate during some of the more challenging moments of summer, such as sweltering heat waves and stressful travel woes. Some derive from Bible verses meant to inspire while other prayers focus on strength during difficult times or even moments when faced with tremendous grief and loss. We also included some prayerful quotes that celebrate the beauty of summer nature or offer thoughtful sentiments about prioritizing your mental health and taking time to slow down and focus on your health and well-being.
Whichever one speaks to you most, consider sharing your favorite with your church, family, friends, or other communities who may benefit from the power of prayer — after all, even the smallest blessing can have the biggest impact.
A Summer Prayer About Slowing Down
Long warm days … The pace of life slows … A time for picnics and rest in the shade … Lord, help me to rest awhile in the cooling shade of your presence. Slow down my restless heart and fill me with gentle compassion for all your people. Amen.
— Unknown
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A Prayer for Summer Travel and Vacations
Lord, in our work and play we know your goodness and love. Bless us with joy as we set out for our days of vacation. Let them bring us rest and refreshment. Protect us as we travel. Give us gentle weather and peaceful times. Be with us at the meals we enjoy and in the activities we share. In all we do, let us grow in our love for you and for each other. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Father Michael Kwatera
A Summertime Blessing
May you walk with God this summer in whatever you do, wherever you go. Walking with God means walking with honesty and courage and walking with love, respect, and concern for the feelings of others. May you talk to God this summer — every day and in every situation. Talking with God means praying words of praise for the beauty of creation, saying prayers of thanks for friends and good times, asking God's help in all your decisions, and expressing sorrow when you have failed. May you walk and talk with God every day. Amen.
— Unknown
A Prayer About Having Fun This Summer
Dear God, Let us revel in summer. Let us soak up the long days and warm sun. May our feet walk on sandy beaches and our heads rest on thick grass under blue skies. May we listen to and marvel at the singing of the birds and stop to watch blissful children at play. This summer, God, may our breathing slow and our hearts open. God help us to be present to all that is so that we might best see all that might be.
— David Johnson
A Summer Blessing for Families
May we make our homes places of relaxation, joy, love, peace, and safety. May we be generous and considerate, not thinking only about ourselves, but helping others enjoy the blessings of the summertime. Lord God, Creator of all things, guide our steps and strengthen our hearts during these months of summer and vacation days. Grant us refreshment of mind and body. May we constantly strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our loved ones and in the world around us as we enjoy the warm days of summertime.
— The Catholic Review
A Prayer for Summer Heat Protection
God, as the heat of summer intensifies, we pray for those without air conditioning or electricity, clean water, and health care. For all of our neighbors in "survival mode", give them the communities and resources to not only survive, but to thrive this summer. And Lord, remind us to give you a drink when we see you thirsty. Amen.
— Sojourners
The Sun Prayer
Great Spirit, Our God and Father, be the center of our lives today. You fill all the emptiness of space. May the sun today be a healthy healing warmth for us so we, in turn, may become healers of each other’s hurts.
— Father Charles Flood, SCJ
RELATED: Bible Verses About Joy to Lift Your Spirits
A Blessed Reminder to Rest But Not Get Lazy
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
— Proverbs: 10:5
A Blessing Before Summer Vacation
Take time to claim your strength; this is a gift from God. Take time to have fun; it is God’s way of teaching you your strengths. Take time to grow yourself; only you can grow you. Take time to trust yourself; God trusts you. Take time to be self-reliant; it is better than being dependent. Take time to share with others; they will bless you and you will bless them. Take time to have hope; you are a child of God.
— Unknown
Long Time Sun Prayer
May the long time sunshine upon you, all love surround you May all love surround you and the pure light within you guide your way on.
— Unknown, lyrics adapted by Snatam Kaur
A Bible Verse About Rest
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
— Matthew 11:28-30
RELATED: 50 Comforting Bible Verses to Read
A Prayerful Quote About Summer Nature
Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.
— John Lebbock
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