Is it wrong to pray for safety for myself and my loved ones?

Matthew 26:37-42He [Jesus] took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Acts 12:5While Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

No. God always welcomes the confession of our desires when offered in submission to his will. Jesus himself asked the Father on the night before his crucifixion if there was some way to avoid what was ahead, but Jesus also affirmed his desire to do God’s will.

Acts 27:18-25The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone. No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.”

Romans 1:10One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.

Paul’s prayer for safety in travel was rooted in his desire to minister to others. He was confident God would preserve him for any work he still had to do for God.

2 Corinthians 1:11Many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

The early apostles depended on the prayers for safety offered by the churches.