On September 26 1988, Madonna began recording the Like A Prayer album in Los Angeles, California with collaborators Patrick Leonard and Stephen Bray.
Madonna had begun writing for the album during the down time of her Broadway run in David Mamet’s Speed-The-Plow, for which she gave her final performance in late August. With her marriage to Sean Penn on the rocks, Madonna found herself at a personal and creative crossroads – with plenty to express.
Today In Madonna History 
Promise to Try-Madonna’s most anguished, sad and brilliant ballad performance!
In Chris’s book “Life with my Sister Madonna”, he said that he was so angry with her (Madonna) here because he felt like she was using their mother’s death for gain or something like that. I think this just showed her more vulnerable side and how the death of her mom at such a young age made her who she is. I’m sure her mother is proud of her.