Prayer of seamen

Prayer for Seamen and All Who Work at Sea

Heavenly Father,

You are the Creator of land and sea,

and You know the hardships faced by those who labor upon the waters.

We lift up all sailors, seafarers, fishermen, and maritime workers,

especially those who spend long months far from home,

enduring danger, loneliness, and great sacrifice.

Grant them Your protection in times of storm and peril;

guide them safely through the winds and waves,

and bring them in peace to the safe harbor of loved ones.

Bless their families who wait and pray for their return,

and grant them hope, patience, and joy.

May Your presence be their constant companion,

and may they always know Your peace in their hearts,

even amid the fiercest seas.

Amen.

(Inspired by traditional prayers for seafarers and maritime workers.)

A common prayer for seamen often invokes divine protection and guidance for those who work on the perilous ocean, asking for safety from dangers, peace during storms, and care for their loved ones back home. These prayers frequently appeal to God, Jesus Christ, and Mary, often referred to as "Star of the Sea" (Stella Maris), a traditional patroness of seafarers.

One such prayer asks God to take the seaman and all others in their profession into His care and protection. It requests alertness and wisdom in duties, faithfulness in routine, promptness in decision-making, and courage in times of crisis. The prayer also seeks protection from the dangers and perils of the sea, asking for inner peace and calm even during storms. When far from home and loved ones, it asks for assurance of God's love and care, and for the well-being and loyalty of those left behind, praying for safe reunions after separation.

Another prayer, known as "The Apostleship of the Sea Prayer," calls upon the Sacred Heart of Jesus for mercy upon all seafarers, and includes an "Our Father" and "Hail Mary." It also invokes Our Lady, Star of the Sea, St. Peter, and St. Andrew, concluding with the plea, "Lord save us, or we perish!" A prayer for all who go to sea asks the Lord to bless and preserve them, bless those who serve them, and lead everyone into His Kingdom through Jesus Christ.

The "Our Lady Star of the Sea" prayer highlights Mary's role as a beacon of hope and guide for those in distress or who have strayed from their faith, asking her to pray for seafarers. A prayer specifically "For seafarers" asks the Lord, as ruler over waves and sea, to keep His blessed hand over them, grant them strength for a Christian life aboard ships, prevent them from disappointing others, and keep their families safe at home. It also seeks guidance for them to stay on the right course and reach the "safe port of heaven"

A "Prayer for Seafarers" from Catholic Online and Columban.org addresses Heavenly Father, asking for mighty protection and success in rightful undertakings for those on the perilous ocean. It requests that in times of need, they remember God's presence, and in danger, commit their souls to Him. It also calls upon Lord Jesus Christ, who can calm storms, to hear their prayers and save them, ultimately bringing all to "the only safe port"

The Mariner's/Naval Hymn, "Eternal Father, strong to save," is also a well-known prayer for those at sea, asking for divine protection from the dangers of the ocean. Other prayers for seafarers include requests for God to watch over them, keep them from danger, comfort them in loneliness, and bring them safely home. There are also specific prayers for the shipping industry, for those who care for seafarers, and for supporters of organizations like the Mission to Seafarers. The "Pilot's Psalm" or "Sailor's Paraphrase of the 23rd Psalm" reimagines the traditional psalm with nautical imagery, portraying God as the pilot who guides and protects them through life's storms to the "port of God forever"

OTHER PRAYER: "God, I ask you to take me into your care and protection along with all seamen. Make me alert and wise in my duties. Make me faithful in the time of routine, prompt to decide, and courageous to act in times of crisis. Protect me in the dangers and the perils of the sea; and even in the storm grant that there may be peace and calm within my heart. When I am far from home, far from loved ones, and far from my country, help me to be quite sure that, wherever I am, I can never drift beyond your love and care. Take care of my beloved ones in the days, weeks, and months when I am separated from them. Keep me true to them and keep them true to me, and every time that we have to part, bring us together in safety and in loyalty again. Amen."