Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual

Weatherford infuses the lyrics of a traditional spiritual with pivotal events in African American history.

In four-line stanzas, references to the unseen narrator (“It’s me, it’s me, O Lord”), the ancestors, and present-day children alternate with the line “Standing in the need of prayer.” From “families enslaved and sold apart,” “a band of rebels,” and “freedmen seeking kin at Emancipation” to Black students integrating all-White schools, athletes breaking records, and choirs singing of justice and freedom, African Americans from across the eras and generations are humbled before God as they face mighty obstacles with brave resistance and endurance. Readers don’t need to know the song to enjoy this book; the show more repeated lines have the power of an incantation, inducing a meditation on all that Black people have survived and how they have thrived. Morrison’s elegant, emotional, painterly illustrations highlight the beauty, dignity, and grace of the people throughout difficult and degrading circumstances. Rich earth tones, texture, and light invite the eye to linger on the varied, portrait-style compositions. Not just for faithful homes, this is a book that can spark conversations about Black history from a strengths-based lens, with culture and coping as the focus. Brief notes discuss the figures and topics referenced in the main text, and an author’s note explains the importance of spirituals to the culture and to Weatherford personally. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Gorgeous and enlightening, nourishing both mind and soul. (online resources) (Historical picture book. 4-10)

-Kirkus Review show less

This book reimagines the traditional African American spiritual. The book blends lyrical text with vibrant illustrations, showcasing how prayer is a powerful source of strength and solace during tough times. It connects the themes of the original song to modern-day struggles, encouraging readers to turn to prayer for comfort and hope. The book beautifully ties together history and contemporary life, making an old spiritual accessible for today's readers. The illustrations are bold and expressive, helping bring the emotional power of the song to life. It's a great way to introduce young readers to the importance of prayer and perseverance, both in the past and present.
This book is ideal for grades 2-5, although it could be appreciated by show more older students as well.
You could use this book in the classroom to discuss African American history and culture, the importance of spirituality, and the power of music. It could also be a starting point for creative writing, where students reflect on their own sources of strength. The rhythmic nature of the text lends itself well to a class sing-along or a discussion of spirituals. show less

This story is a about a little boy who is standing in the need of prayer. This story goes through the history of African Americans and includes important moments like slavery, the fight for freedom, the civil rights movement, and today's struggles for justice.

Grade: Primary & Intermediate (2nd - 3rd)

This was a well written story and illustrated book that helped touch a reader. It was truly meaningful and emotional with bold and beautiful pictures. It demonstrated a beautiful way to teach about history while also celebrating faith and the strength of community. I feel like this book is great for adults and kids.

Standing in the Need of Prayer by Carole Boston Weatherford

Standing in the Need of Prayer is a spiritual book. This book talks about Black history from slavery and the Civil Rights movement, even the Black Lives Matter era. This book contributes each page in tribute to the courage, pain, and resilience of the generation that resisted injustice.

This is a powerful book because it teaches both a spiritual relationship and a historical journey of Black History. This reflects on justice, dignity, and the enduring power of the path in the face of oppression. This would be great as a read-aloud can be discussed on civil rights.

Powerful modernization of the original spiritual, written in verse. At the end of the book there is a synopsis of the various historical events that are mentioned in the book. Recommended for upper elementary school students, perhaps as young as 2nd grade if students are mature, but more applicable for 3rd through 5th when discussions can be had about the material.

This book would be appropriate for primary and lower immediate education.

Standing in the Need of Prayer is about the brave and unique African Americans who made an impact on history. The author poetically writes about each and every one of them needing prayer through the midst of uncertain and scary times.

I think this would be a fantastic book to read during Black History Month or any month, of course, to commemorate African Americans for their bravery.

This is a book is a modern perspective about what standing in the Need of Prayer looks like for African Americans. Each page is filled with a "need of prayer" that African Americans were begging for. This book captures Black History in a very appropriate way. I think this book would be great for a history lesson in 3-4th grade. I think there is a lot of heavy understanding, but I do also think this could be an easy read for primary students, just depends if you have the historical information in the classroom.