PRAYER IS

We can all pray, anytime.

What is prayer? Prayer is sharing, an expression of our big feelings and hopes. Prayer is mindfulness, a feeling of calm, and a way to uplift others. We can pray anywhere, at any time, in any way we feel moved to do so: “on a ride, / in a storm, / under the stars… / In a crowd, / with a friend, all alone… // In a shout or in a whisper. In song or in silence.” Prayer can also be tough, especially when things don’t turn out how we wanted. But trying still counts. Prayer is gratitude, apology, a blessing for all—“the weak and the strong, / believers and doubters.” No matter what, “God loves us and wants to hear from us.” More a list of musings than a narrative, Brown’s quietly empowering verse offers a multifaceted, child-friendly exploration of the topic. Harris’ energetic visuals, suffused in light, complement the text nicely with depictions of a Black family going about their day—eating breakfast, visiting elders, and attending church services, where the book’s young protagonist sings in the choir. No specific church denominations are mentioned, allowing a variety of Christian readers to see their experiences reflected here.

A quiet, feel-good prayer in and of itself.