When We Talk to God: Prayers and Poems for Black Women

by Sharifa Stevens

These are prayers for your moments of gratitude and celebration. For your seasons of loss and waiting. For your days when prayers come, not in words but in groans. When We Talk to God, from poet-theologian Sharifa Stevens, captures the arc and the ache of our lives.

A beautiful interweaving of artwork, prayers, and poems for Black women, this unique book encourages you to lift up your whole heart and loudest voice to God. And to tell Him about everything; nothing is off-limits. Sharifa's honest and powerful words express prayer and longing through personal experiences, biblical examples, and stunning imagery. When We Talk to God 

An invitation to journey through honest lamentation and heartfelt joy to find greater peace in a turbulent worldPoems and prayers exploring topics from job interviews to grief, from braiding hair to feeling invisible, from parenting to dancingValidation and inspiration for Black women of faith, by a Black woman speaking from her life to yoursA relatable and authentic voice that frees you to present your own prayers and praises to the God who hears you, sees you, and loves youA beautiful gift idea for Mother's Day, Grandparents' Day, International Women's Day, spiritual anniversaries, and birthdays 

Ideal for Black women of any age and background, When We Talk to God is a balm to your spirit and soul as it urges you to go to God with all of who you are and with everything you can or cannot say.

Genres: Poetry

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2025

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just beautiful! Intimate and honest while remaining hopeful. The artwork is gorgeous. This will be a blessing to all who read it and perhaps find the words we weren’t sure how to express as we draw near to God in prayer.

[Joyreadsbuku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for approving my request for this ARC! <3

4 stars - this book is so much more than I expected. It covers a lot, from motherhood to job interviews, womanhood to our hair, friendships (the good and the bad), and heartache and grief. I didn't always feel the poem aspect of the book, but there are prayers that guide through all of these things that happen in life. Also, what a beautiful cover!!

[Jazzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

I thoroughly enjoyed the poems and prayers. While some of them I could not relate to, that was made up with the rest that I could. I will definitely be coming back to this book in the future and will be sharing with my friends and family!



Thank you to the publishers for the opportunity of reading this book as an E-arc <3

[Tremaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talking to God is a form of art... At least, this is what I gleaned from the prayers, poems, and notes shared by the indomitable Sharifa Stevens.

There are books that sneak in when you weren't expecting to be fulfilled or touched by spirits and there are books that pull you from dark places and remind you of your worth... "When We Talk To God: Prayers & Poems for Black Women" encompasses both of those descriptions.

There are pieces within this offering that read like sermons. Some feel like testimonies. And others swim across the page, reaching out at just the right moment to grab ahold of the reader and remind them that they are and will forever be God's child.

I am a sinner, yet I love. I am a sinner, yet I feel. I am a sinner, yet I have solid friendships. I am a sinner... I am a sinner... I am a sinner... Yet, God will never stop loving me.

In the midst of the turmoil and chaos of this wretched world, I cracked open the spine of this gift and found solace.

"When We Talk To God..." offers hope, reflection, strength, encouragement, and the reality that I am not alone on this tedious journey of life, and I am blessed to be able to say that I read it.

And I will, without a doubt, read it again and again, and maybe a few more times for sustainability.

There's a prayer in this book for you, Black woman. There's a prayer in this book for you.

[Catrina Berka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stevens is thoughtful, tender, and full of truth. I met her a few years ago at a racial reconciliation event in Dallas and have eagerly followed her since. Released date (5/13/25) cannot come soon enough!

[Lawrence Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Libby) (4.5 stars) Thoroughly enjoyed this short book, but it made me question why books that announce they are for black women almost always touch my spirit, while books written by female authors that are clearly for women but don’t announce it upfront make me feel like shit.

The book would have been five stars for me, except the author revisited a tired trope. The same tired trope Michelle Obama trotted out at one time. The grand terrified interaction that their children might have with the murderous police. I always find it odd when affluent black women claim they are afraid of their daughter’s interactions with police. First, the media primarily covers a police shooting when black men are involved. Second, the black people that die at the hands of police are never in the top three quintiles of the socio-economic ladder, where the author and Obama reside. As the grandson of a sharecropper and son of an electrician, who enjoys driving a manual shift and is stopped by police 3-4 times a year, every year for speeding, I find it ridiculous that upper middle class folks and upper class folk act like police are trying to create situations in which to take their life. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A POLICE OFFICER DURING A TRAFFIC STOP. Even before I became an attorney, I was a black boy speeding around town, driving while black.

I would prefer if any of the black artist, scholars or politicians could explain why a grown black man pushing a baby carriage up Five Forks Trickum Road in Gwinnett County at 4:15pm would be wearing a balaclava in 74 degree weather, especially when OGCA 16-11-1 prohibits wearing a mask, hood or device by which any portion of his or her face is so hidden, concealed, or covered as to conceal his or her identity. It is a misdemeanor. Yet, thought leaders will voice their terrified concerns about police contact without explaining why black men move in a way that begs for police contact.

I enjoyed the book.

[Erin Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

📖 When We Talk to God: Prayers and Poems for Black Women
Author: Sharifa Stevens
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
(Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

I read this collection with an open mind, appreciating Stevens’ raw honesty and lyrical expression. While I couldn’t personally relate to every poem or prayer, I found many passages meaningful enough to bookmark for future reflection. The author doesn’t shy away from difficult topics or emotions, and I respected the genuine nature of the writing, even when the tone became uncomfortable or challenged traditional perspectives on spirituality.

Highlights:

• Beautiful illustrations and thoughtful presentation make this ideal for gifting or displaying.

• Authentic and unfiltered language encourages readers to approach spirituality with honesty.

• Covers a diverse array of experiences, offering something relatable for various stages of life.

TROPES / THEMES:

Spirituality and faith journey 🙏🏽

Authentic womanhood 🌺

Emotional vulnerability and honesty 💬

Celebrating Black identity ✊🏽

Minor Drawbacks:

• Some prayers felt overly provocative and challenged my personal comfort level.

• Not all themes or perspectives resonated personally, making it somewhat uneven for me.

Overall Impression:

Though it wasn’t a perfect match for me personally, I appreciate When We Talk to God for its honest voice and compassionate approach. Recommended for those looking for an open, genuine exploration of faith, identity, and emotional vulnerability.

[LiteraryMarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poet-theologian Sharifa Stevens captures the arc, ache and grace of a Black woman in a new release titled When We Talk to God. Through prayers and poems, she covers a broad range of topics such as motherhood, grief, joy, faith and success. I did not relate to all but there were plenty that I bookmarked to revisit again. There is a poem/prayer for every mood and every season in a Black woman's life within this collection.

I admit a few of the passages threw me off because of the language bordering on blasphemy (questioning God) but the author keeps it real. She put on paper what some of us may be thinking. My major takeaway was how the prayers encourage us to talk to God. Have a conversation. Nothing is off limits. Don't worry about being politically correct or saying the right thing the right away at a designated time. Just open your heart and talk to Him.

The vivid artistic book cover of When We Talk to God, as well as the beautiful illustrations within, will make it a good addition to your personal library, coffee table, or gift for Mother's Day, Women's Day or Girls' Night.

Happy Pub Day, Sharifa Stevens! When We Talk to God is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

[Reads by Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down.

It's not every day you find a book like this, and I want to thank NetGalley for the ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though some of the prayers I could not identify with. Its rare to find a book about spirituality and womanhood that feels genuine instead of preachy. The prayers provide comfort even in those times when you don't know exactly what to say to God when you're hurting.

I will definitely recommend this book to the women in my life.

[Ejatu Bah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great collection of prayers and poems. I really liked a lot of them. I would read these whenever you feel you need strength to carry on in hard times. I would get this if you want to know what black women really feel they truly need to pray for.

[Jen Mayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful, raw, encompassing grief, joy and words that cut like a knife. I felt grief and laughed out loud. The actual design is a work of art along with the descriptive words that pierce your soul.

[Jaxiin · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Spirit-Filled, Soul-Touching Celebration of Black Womanhood

I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC of When We Talk to God from NetGalley—and what a gift this book is. As a Black woman who wears many hats, I felt seen, held, and deeply affirmed by the prayers and poems Sharifa Stevens so beautifully offered in this collection. Sharifa Stevens speaks to every phase of our journey—motherhood, friendship, grief, joy, identity—with love and truth.

This book is familiar. It’s relatable, healing, funny, and literal. It’s Black—very Black—in the most affirming, comforting way. There is something here for every phase and situation we navigate as Black women. If not personal, the stories and sentiments feel close in proximity. If you haven’t lived it, you know someone who has—or you will.

Some standout pieces for me were:
Prayer for Daughters
Poem for the Queer Child, From Jesus (so beautiful and tender—I immediately thought of people who would be moved to tears by these words)
For Eve
When the Braids Are Too Tight
New Mom
Friends
Favor for Our Children
Miscarriage

And those quotes! Two of my absolute favorites:
✨ “People don’t need faith when the world already caters to them; they need faith to still feel God even as they feel pain.”
✨ “Although conflict and resistance can mature a person, I pray, God, that You would remove nonsense from my daughter’s life. No riffraff, no narcissists, no grifters, no leeches, no users.”

The visuals in this book are stunning—colorful and full of life, they add a layer of joy and sacredness to the reading experience.

Reading When We Talk to God reminded me of the “literary mothers” Sharifa Stevens honors at the end—Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Lucille Clifton, and others who paved the way with fierce honesty and grace. This book carries that torch forward. It’s not for everyone, but it is real, it is necessary, and it is pure love.

#NetGalleyARC #WhenWeTalkToGod #SharifaStevens #Bookstagram #BlackWomenWriters #PoetryAndPrayer #BiblioJaxiin #Jaxiin