--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I prayed all the way up that hill…" description: "\"“I prayed all the way up that hill yesterday,” he said softly. “Not for you to stay; I didna think that would be right. I prayed I’d be strong enough t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00b/diana-gabaldon-185_courage_i-prayed-all-the-way-up-that-hill-yester_2687713.jpg" --- # I prayed all the way up that hill yesterday,” he said… ![“I prayed all the way up that hill yesterday,” he said softly. “Not for you to stay; I didna think that would be right. I prayed I’d be strong enough to send ye away.” He shook his head, still gazing up the hill, a faraway look in his eyes. “I said ‘Lord, if I’ve never had courage in my life…” quote by Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00b/diana-gabaldon-185_courage_i-prayed-all-the-way-up-that-hill-yester_2687713.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00b/diana-gabaldon-185_courage_i-prayed-all-the-way-up-that-hill-yester_2687713.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00b/diana-gabaldon-185_courage_i-prayed-all-the-way-up-that-hill-yester_2687713.jpg) > ““I prayed all the way up that hill yesterday,” he said softly. “Not for you to stay; I didna think that would be right. I prayed I’d be strong enough to send ye away.” He shook his head, still gazing up the hill, a faraway look in his eyes. “I said ‘Lord, if I’ve never had courage in my life before, let me have it now. Let me be brave enough not to fall on my knees and beg her to stay. He pulled his eyes away from the cottage and smiled briefly at me. "Hardest thing I ever did, Sassenach.” He turned in the saddle, and reined the horse’s head toward the east. It was a rare bright morning, and the early sun gilded everything, drawing a thin line of fire along the edge of the reins, the curve of the horse’s neck, and the broad planes of Jamie’s face and shoulders.”” [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A man seeks divine courage to let go of a loved one, confronting his fear of loss and responsibility. **In simple terms:** He prays for strength to release someone he cares about. Key Takeaway Ask for help when facing painful decisions. Themes courage loss faith letting go Mood reflective melancholic Type literary emotional When to use this quote - relationship breakup - family conflict - personal sacrifice - decision making Key Concepts spiritual struggle personal responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What does true bravery look like in love? - How can faith guide difficult choices? A Different Perspective Prayer may not guarantee the desired outcome; internal conflict remains. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Strong enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-enough/) [Thin line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thin-line/) ## Related quotes > [“We are bound,you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you."One large hand rose to stroke my hair. "D'ye mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/we-are-bound-you-and-i-and-nothing-on-this-earth-shall-part-me-from/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I prayed all the way up that hill yesterday, he said softly. Not for you to stay; I didna think that would be right.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-prayed-all-the-way-up-that-hill-yesterday-he-said-softly-not-for/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I've always had courage. But I didn't always own my diabetes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-tyler-moore/i-ve-always-had-courage-but-i-didn-t-always-own-my-diabetes/) [Mary Tyler Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-tyler-moore/) > [If he isn't treating you right he isn't the man that God has planned for you or the man that you've prayed for. Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/if-he-isn-t-treating-you-right-he-isn-t-the-man-that-god-has-planned/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I've always been independent. I've always had courage. But I didn't always own my diabetes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-tyler-moore/i-ve-always-been-independent-i-ve-always-had-courage-but-i-didn-t/) [Mary Tyler Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-tyler-moore/) > [I've been hurt but I'll continue to love, for that gives me courage to go on with my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-been-hurt-but-i-ll-continue-to-love-for-that-gives-me-courage-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a magnificent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-courage-of-life-is-often-a-less-dramatic-spectacle-than-the-2/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [We are face to face with our destiny and we must meet it with a high and resolute courage. For us is the life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/we-are-face-to-face-with-our-destiny-and-we-must-meet-it-with-a-high/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The only thing stopping you is fear, and the only thing that will get you past it is courage. What you do with your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-pavlina/the-only-thing-stopping-you-is-fear-and-the-only-thing-that-will-get/) [Steve Pavlina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-pavlina/) > [Living with faith and courage is something that life requires of each of us. Never, absolutely never, give up! Never give in no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-kuhlman/living-with-faith-and-courage-is-something-that-life-requires-of-each/) [Kathryn Kuhlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-kuhlman/) > [We must have courage to bet on our ideas, to take the calculated risk, and to act. Everyday living requires courage if life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/we-must-have-courage-to-bet-on-our-ideas-to-take-the-calculated-risk/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Imagine settling for a life you can have because you don't have the courage to go after the life you really want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/imagine-settling-for-a-life-you-can-have-because-you-don-t-have-the/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [“As a man begins to understand the sacrifices he must make to live the life he dreams of, he often loses his courage for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-sigler/as-a-man-begins-to-understand-the-sacrifices-he-must-make-to-live-the/) Josie Sigler > [“The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a magnificent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-courage-of-life-is-often-a-less-dramatic-spectacle-than-the/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Something I learned along the way is that you really have to have courage in life. You can do amazing things on any level.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-mangano/something-i-learned-along-the-way-is-that-you-really-have-to-have/) [Joy Mangano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-mangano/) ## More by Diana Gabaldon > [Alright, all right," I said. "What if I tell you a story, instead?" Highlanders loved stories, and Jamie was no exception. "Oh, aye, "…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/alright-all-right-i-said-what-if-i-tell-you-a-story-instead/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [There were moments, of course. Those small spaces in time, too soon gone, when everything seems to stand still, and existence is balanced on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/there-were-moments-of-course-those-small-spaces-in-time-too-soon-gone/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [If it was a sin for you to choose me . . . then I would go to the Devil himself and bless him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-it-was-a-sin-for-you-to-choose-me-then-i-would-go-to-the-devil/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When I turned 35, I thought, 'Mozart was dead at 36, so I set the bar: I'm going to start writing a book on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-i-turned-35-i-thought-mozart-was-dead-at-36-so-i-set-the-bar-i-m/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I stagger out of bed, take the dogs outside, and then I'll get a Diet Coke and a couple of dog biscuits and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-stagger-out-of-bed-take-the-dogs-outside-and-then-i-ll-get-a-diet/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“It was…hard. I didna call out, or let them see I was scairt, but I couldna keep my feet. Halfway through it, I fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/it-was-hard-i-didna-call-out-or-let-them-see-i-was-scairt-but-i/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I have all the time and space in the world when I write a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-have-all-the-time-and-space-in-the-world-when-i-write-a-book/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I discovered that, given the indescribable nature of what I write, the only way to sell it is to give people free samples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-discovered-that-given-the-indescribable-nature-of-what-i-write-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“We are bound,you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you."One large hand rose to stroke my hair. "D'ye mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/we-are-bound-you-and-i-and-nothing-on-this-earth-shall-part-me-from/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I think characters are going to be, if not a reflection of the author, at least some refraction of some part of their personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-think-characters-are-going-to-be-if-not-a-reflection-of-the-author/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [My husband asked me once why I read so many mysteries, and part of it is just intellectual, part of it is the joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-husband-asked-me-once-why-i-read-so-many-mysteries-and-part-of-it/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“My Da says you’re never drunk, so long as ye can hold on to the floor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-da-says-you-re-never-drunk-so-long-as-ye-can-hold-on-to-the-floor/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When you're an artist, you can't write with the intent of affecting anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-re-an-artist-you-can-t-write-with-the-intent-of-affecting/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“But a man is not forgotten, as long as there are two people left under the sky. One, to tell the story; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/but-a-man-is-not-forgotten-as-long-as-there-are-two-people-left-under/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I didn’t answer, occupied in dissolving the penicillin tablets in the vial of sterile water. I selected a glass barrel, fitted a needle, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-didn-t-answer-occupied-in-dissolving-the-penicillin-tablets-in-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) [Explore all 952 Diana Gabaldon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## More Courage quotes > [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [“It takes tremendous courage, persistence, and perseverance to pursue your ultimate purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/it-takes-tremendous-courage-persistence-and-perseverance-to-pursue/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/) James T. Conway > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“Tranquillity is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valor, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inazo-nitobe/tranquillity-is-courage-in-repose-it-is-a-statical-manifestation-of/) [Inazo Nitobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inazo-nitobe/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) > [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Certainly these are not easy times. But history does not contain very many easy times. Years from now, we will look back at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/certainly-these-are-not-easy-times-but-history-does-not-contain-very/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“There is nothing purer, braver, or more beautiful than the try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-armstrong/there-is-nothing-purer-braver-or-more-beautiful-than-the-try/) Kristen Armstrong > [“One theory on cannibals, of course, is that they eat parts of their slain enemies to benefit from that person's greatest assets - their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-powell/one-theory-on-cannibals-of-course-is-that-they-eat-parts-of-their/) [Julie Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-powell/) > [It is a tragedy that we live in a world where physical courage is so common, and moral courage is so rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-is-a-tragedy-that-we-live-in-a-world-where-physical-courage-is-so/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [I have pictures with Morimoto where I'm all embarrassed and he's so serious, it took me 30 minutes to get up the courage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcela-valladolid/i-have-pictures-with-morimoto-where-i-m-all-embarrassed-and-he-s-so/) [Marcela Valladolid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcela-valladolid/) [Browse all 14,559 Courage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I prayed all the way up that hill yesterday,” he said softly. “Not for you to stay; I didna think that would be right. 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