# Faith and Prayer in Heidi

> Theme guide for Heidi by Johanna Spyri.

Heidi learns from Grandmama Sesemann to trust in God's plan, even when prayers seem unanswered, and this faith ultimately brings healing to herself, her grandfather, and the blind grandmother.

## Where it surfaces

- [X: A Grandmama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/x-a-grandmama): Grandmama teaches Heidi to pray as a way to share her deepest sorrows with God, leading to emotional relief and a breakthrough in learning.
- [XI: Heidi Gains in Some Respects and Loses in Others](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xi-heidi-gains-in-some-respects-and-loses-in-others): Grandmama teaches Heidi that God hears all prayers and gives what is best, even when it is not immediately apparent. Heidi repents for losing faith and prays for forgiveness.
- [XIV: On Sunday When the Church Bells Ring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xiv-on-sunday-when-the-church-bells-ring): Heidi reads a hymn that brings spiritual comfort to the grandmother, and later reflects on prayer and God's timing, showing deepened faith.
- [Retaliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xvii-retaliation): Heidi's faith and recitation of hymns comfort the doctor, reminding him of his childhood and offering solace for his sorrow.
- [Winter in the Village](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xviii-winter-in-the-village): Heidi reads hymns to the grandmother, bringing her comfort and joy; Heidi prays fervently before sleeping after devising a plan to help.
- [News from Distant Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xx-news-from-distant-friends): Heidi reads hymns to Grandmother to calm her fears, and the girls say their evening prayer under the stars, trusting in God's care.
- [Parting to Meet Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xxiii-parting-to-meet-again): The grandmother asks Heidi to read a song of thanksgiving, and Mrs. Sesemann speaks of God's mercy, reinforcing the theme of gratitude and faith.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/themes/faith_and_prayer
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/themes