The term “Godspeed” is an old expression that is rarely used today. It is a blessing or well-wishing for someone’s success and prosperity on a journey or mission. The word “Godspeed” comes from the expression “May God speed you” or “May God cause you to succeed.” It conveys the idea of wishing someone a safe and fortunate voyage or journey.
In the King James Version of the Bible, the word “speed” is used several times to mean “to succeed” or “to prosper.” For example, in Romans 1:10, the Apostle Paul says, “Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.” The word “prosperous” here is translated from the Greek word “euodoo” which means “to help on the road, succeed in reaching.”
The specific phrase “God speed” is found only once, in 2 John 1:10-11. The apostle John wrote, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.” The Greek word that is translated “welcome” is “chairo” which means to rejoice or be glad. The KJV translates it as “God speed.” So John is cautioning believers not to wish success or prosperity to false teachers.
While the exact phrase “God speed” is not found extensively in Scripture, the concept certainly is. Blessing and praying for someone’s journey and mission is seen throughout the Bible:
- When Jacob was sent on his journey to Padanaram, Isaac invoked God’s blessing on him: “May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples” (Genesis 28:3).
- When David left Saul to journey to the place God had appointed for him, Jonathan blessed him saying, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord” (1 Samuel 20:42).
- Jesus instructed his disciples to let their peace come upon those who received them when they entered a home on their missionary journey (Matthew 10:13).
- Paul often asked for prayers that he would be delivered from harm and blessed in his ministry travels (Romans 15:32, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).
- The writer of Hebrews closed his letter with this prayer for his readers: “Now may the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
In summary, the phrase “Godspeed” is an appeal for God’s divine enabling, protection, and blessing for someone embarking on a new venture or mission. It expresses hope for their success and desire for God’s favor to be upon them. This request for God’s speed implies believed dependence on the Lord rather than mere human effort. Just as Paul relied on God who “causes things to happen” (1 Corinthians 4:7), we acknowledge that true prosperity comes only from the Lord’s hand. While we make plans, He directs our paths (Proverbs 16:9).
biblical Examples of Godspeed
As mentioned, Scripture contains many examples of desiring and pronouncing God’s blessing on people heading into new seasons or assignments:
Moses Sends Out the 12 Spies
When Moses commissioned twelve men to explore the Promised Land, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees in it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land” (Numbers 13:17-20).
Moses gave the spies a mission but ultimately desired for God to prosper their efforts according to His will. He sought the Lord’s guidance and blessing on their reconnaissance journey.
David’s Plan for the Temple
David conferred with Solomon about building the temple and said, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever’” (1 Chronicles 22:7-10).
Though David desired to build the temple, God revealed that Solomon would have this calling. David submitted to God’s plan and blessed the work Solomon would do, asking for God’s favor and prosperity to be upon this mission.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples
When Jesus commissioned the twelve disciples to go preach the kingdom of God, he instructed them: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” The disciples went out and “traveled from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere” (Mark 6:8-12).
Jesus prepared the disciples for the difficulties of the journey but ultimately trusted God to provide for them and make their mission fruitful through His power. Their travels were aimed at furthering God’s kingdom under the Lord’s direction and care.
Paul’s Missionary Journeys
Paul went on three extensive missionary journeys across the Roman Empire, covering thousands of miles on foot and by sea. He started churches, preached the gospel, and trained leaders despite great persecution. At the end of his third journey, he told the Ephesian elders, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:22-24).
Though Paul was headed into danger, his focus was on completing his God-given assignment. He relied on the Spirit’s leading and power, not his own wisdom or resources. His travels spread the gospel through the enablement of God who prospered His Word through Paul.
Sailing Voyages in the Bible
In addition to overland journeys, the Bible contains accounts of Godspeed being invoked for seafaring voyages. Travel by ship in ancient times was very perilous. The request was for God’s protection from storms, pirates, and shipwrecks.
The Book of Jonah
When Jonah fled from God’s call to preach to the Ninevites, he boarded a ship headed for Tarshish. The Lord sent a great storm that threatened to break apart the ship. After Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by the great fish, “the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17). God preserved Jonah’s life on this disobedient voyage and led him back to his original call.
The Journeys of Paul
Paul covers much of his extensive missions travels through the Roman Empire by ship. On one journey, the ship was caught in a terrible storm for many days. Finally Paul told those aboard, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But he goes on to say, “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me” (Acts 27:10, 25). God assured Paul he would stand trial before Caesar so he trusted God to preserve the passengers in the storm. Eventually they shipwrecked but all reached shore safely (Acts 27:39-44).
The Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation depicts end time judgments poured out on the earth. Revelation 8:8-9 describes a great mountain burning with fire being thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the living creatures died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. Chaos and catastrophe came upon sea travel. Yet believers are secured by God even amidst these troubles as their citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Their real voyage is the journey of faith ending in eternal life.
Godspeed in Everyday Life
While we may not use the antiquated phrase “Godspeed,” the concept remains highly relevant. As Christians, we regularly commission, pray for, and bless others embarking on new endeavors seeking God’s direction and grace. Examples include:
- Young adults going off to college or launching a career
- Newlyweds starting married life and building a family
- Friends moving to a new town or overseas for work
- A church missionary team being sent out
- Pastors starting at a new church ministry
We desire God’s wisdom for major decisions, provision for needs, and protection over the unknowns. While only God knows the future, we trust His perfect plan and timing. We want loved ones to grow in faith and hope through the journey ahead. This request for God’s speed and blessing comes from care for their relationship with Christ above all.
Of course,godspeed applies to us as well whenever we step into new callings or life stages. Starting a new job, moving, welcoming a baby, or entering a season of change all prompt us to seek God’s direction. We acknowledge our dependence on Him to establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17). Godspeed reminds us to lean on divine strength rather than merely human effort. We can have boldness for untried ventures knowing God goes before us.
Godspeed is Rooted in God’s Sovereignty
At its heart, Godspeed is rooted in belief in God’s sovereignty over all of life’s journeys. The blessing speaks to trust in His perfect plan and timing which supersede our own. As believers, we have the security of knowing God orders our steps and works all things for our growth in Christ (Romans 8:28). We walk by faith, not sight, as God leads us into new adventures and assignments. While we make our plans, the Lord directs our paths and ultimate outcomes (Proverbs 16:9).
With this eternal perspective, we entrust both our loved ones and ourselves to the faithful Creator. We release control and acknowledge God knows the way we should go. His vision surpasses our limited human understanding. As His sheep, we have the Shepherd’s promise, “The Lord will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:7-8). Believers have the confidence that our lives and purposes are in His hands.
Key Bible Verses
Several verses emphasize God’s sovereign care over His children’s steps:
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 ESV)
- “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)
- “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
- “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3 ESV)
As this sampling shows, Scripture is filled with reassurance that the Lord oversees our lives down to the details. He charts the course when we seek Him in all our ways. Godspeed rests on embracing God’s perfect will rather than our own plans. When we trust Him to direct, protect, and equip, we can step forward in His strength into any unknown future.
Godspeed is a Prayer for God’s Will
At its core, godspeed is praying for God’s will to be done in someone’s life. Our dreams for others pale compared to the Lord’s wise, loving purpose. When we bless those embarking on missions or new seasons, we desire most of all for God’s kingdom to advance and His name to be glorified. The overarching hope is that His best plan would unfold in their lives and His grace sustain them.
John Piper offers this perspective: “The deepest thing you can pray for anybody is that all their sin-chains be broken, that all their sinful blinders be taken off, and that they see Jesus for who he really is and yield to his irresistible beauty. Anything short of that is compared to worthless counterfeit money” (Desiring God). Rather than merely earthly ease and success, Godspeed prays for eternal spiritual blessings.
Key Bible Verses
Scripture emphasizes praying according to God’s will:
- “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)
- “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
- “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
When our heart’s desires align with obedience to Christ, we gain His perspective for prayer. As our will conforms to God’s will, we want only His best for loved ones rather than simply removing difficulty. Godspeed remembers that walking in God’s will brings true purpose, hope, and wholeness.
The Ultimate Godspeed – Entering God’s Rest
Every prayer for Godspeed on earth looks forward to the eternal rest and peace found only in God’s presence. While our present journeys are but shadows, we anticipate the glory to come for believers. The ultimate finish line is hearing Christ’s welcome, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23).
The Book of Hebrews depicts this eternal fulfillment as entering God’s Sabbath rest:
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:9-11)
The ultimate finish line is our heavenly home, reserved for those who by faith persevere to the end. Godspeed prays that our earthly travels keep this glorious hope in focus. All who trust in Christ can stand on His promises that we will dwell with Him forever.
Godspeed blesses our earthly journeys while proclaiming that this world is not our final destination. As sojourners and exiles on the path ahead (1 Peter 2:11), we await the Lord’s return and the home He has prepared (John 14:2-3). Fixed on this blissful future, all God’s children can walk in hopeful assurance that His hand guides us into eternity.