A Prayer in My Heart

Illustration by Allen Garns

When I attended elementary school, my mother always handed me my lunch, kissed me on the forehead, and said, “Do your best today, and remember to keep a prayer in your heart.” She said the same thing every morning, all the way through high school.

In fact, “keep a prayer in your heart” was the last thing she said to me when I was getting on a plane to leave for my two-year mission to Florida. I got so used to hearing that saying that I didn’t think much of it while growing up. I figured it was just something her generation always said, like “Have a nice day.”

As a full-time missionary, I learned to speak some Spanish while serving in Miami, Florida, USA. I discovered that our new friends, many from Cuba and Puerto Rico, were just like my mom. Every family we visited sent us off with a similar endearing wish: “Vaya con Dios” (Go with God).

When I finally began to understand what my mother meant, I started looking for ways to truly keep a prayer in my heart. As I did so, my gratitude for Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, grew. I experienced an extra depth of endurance in times of trial and hardship. I felt a greater love for my parents and an appreciation for the sacrifices they had made for me.

One day I read about the Savior’s visit to the Nephites after His Resurrection. On the second day of His visit, “he commanded his disciples that they should pray.” As they prayed, the Savior also prayed, speaking “great and marvelous” words. When He had finished, He commanded the multitude “that they should not cease to pray in their hearts” (3 Nephi 19:17, 34; 20:1).

One way to do that is to think of prayer as a picture frame that surrounds our daily activities. That framework of prayer, coupled with love and gratitude, helps us focus on the Savior and keep our covenants.

I am grateful for my mother’s daily counsel to “not cease to pray” in my heart. It has made a great difference in my life.