Dear God: Honest Prayers to a God Who Listens

by Bunmi Laditan

As seen on  The TODAY Show !

Dear God is a poignant collection of funny, often heartbreaking, and deeply insightful letters to God that bravely share the emotions we all feel as we grapple with this broken world and search for divine love. 

With the same gutsy and poetic honesty that charmed readers around the world, Bunmi now shares prayers and poems that chart her faith journey toward reconnecting with the God she loved, lost, and realized had never left her side even while she wandered. These candid fieldnotes will stir your heart and make you laugh out loud with Bunmi's self-aware humor and profound insight into the spiritual journey we're all trying to navigate. 

Join Bunmi as she journeys through emotions we all experience--doubt, anger, joy, desperation, love, loneliness, and gratefulness. Wittingly fresh and stunningly relatable, she exquisitely names our fears, voices our painful questions, and bravely says what we're all thinking anyway in our prayerful wrestling with God. 

For those who find themselves thirsting for something more, those who seek to reconnect with God, or those who really don't know what they believe but appreciate a good word, this poignant collection of prayers is a strengthening reminder that the same Love that rises and sets the sun cares for you with particular affection.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Spirituality, Christianity, Religion, Poetry

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 26, 2021

About the author

Hello, my name is Bunmi Laditan. I am a writer living in Quebec, Canada by way of northern California. My writings include The Honest Toddler and Confessions of a Domestic failure and poetry such as Dear Mother and Dear God: Honest Prayers to a God Who Listens.

instagram.com/HonestToddler

facebook.com/BunmiKLaditan

Reviews

[Jenny Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not religious. This book should not be for me. But it was. Beautiful prose...brutal honesty...comfort and grace and relevance. For the time that I was reading it I was not alone.

[Jessica Kantrowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting — I couldn’t put it down. Bunmi writes her letters to God with such heartbreaking honesty, such doubt-filled-but-fierce faith, and such compassion for others who are struggling. It is a modern book of Psalms, with the same joy and despair, grittiness and poetry. I want to give this book to all my friends.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads for the ARC of Dear God. I have read a couple of Bunmi’s previous books and enjoyed them. I also follow her on social media and have been reading her writing, often humorous, there for years.

Dear God is the perfect book to read during these difficult times. I love Bunmi’s honesty, which makes her writing so relatable. I love how each letter is like a diary entry and makes the book easy to read and stop and restart. I wasn’t expecting the religious aspect to her writing, but it didn’t bother me. I was actually really surprised by how deep some of the last letters dove! Really beautiful, poetic writing that conjured up deep thoughts.

Thank you to Zondervan Books and Bunmi Laditan for the ARC. I will recommend it to others!

[Angela Blount · Rating 4 out of 5]

At turns expressing a whimsical and almost child-like candor... and at other times, unabashedly gut-wrenching.

This tangential collection is, as the title suggests, epistolary--structured as letters/prayers/thoughts directed at God. The pieces are widely variable, ranging from just a sentence or two, up to several fairly dense pages. (The majority are single-page and around 2 paragraphs.) Simple sketches here and there help break up the visual field.

Laditan strikes this reader as someone I would love to be friends with. She has a richness of background, experience, and personal growth--and opens this book with a very vulnerable peek into some of the things that have shaped her. And her voice has a sweet, amiable quality that's pleasant to linger on.

I don't know how I feel about the way this collection is (or perhaps, isn't) organized. It feels very much like sporadic commentary on semi-random pieces of life. Some of which have a nearly poetic air about them... while others are more bursts of thought and emotion. My personal favorite is a sort of short story about the author shoveling snow off the porch for a rather bitter neighbor, who she admits to not liking. (I sincerely wish there were more like that one--structured much like a concise social media post.) My second favorite piece would probably be her heartfelt gratitude for the creation of dogs. ^_^

Thoughtful, bite-sized glimpses into a delightful mind.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest and refreshing, but repetitious. But, I suppose my prayers are repetitious as well.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Good: Honest Prayers to a God Who Listens was a beautiful, sometimes funny, often heart-wrenching collection of poems/letters. I loved both the humor and the raw, real vulnerability that Bunmi Laditan exhibited in her prayers. I have recently been on a faith journey and these prayers gave me hope that the God I cling to and trust in sees me in my struggle and wants the best for me.

This collection is not a sanitized church version of prayers. Bumni wrestles with why things can be so horrible in this world and why people in the church are sometimes not very loving, but she ultimately puts her faith in a God who loves us so much.

I read this through fairly quickly, but my plan is to slowly go back through it throughout the next year. I'm also inspired to write down some of my honest prayers too, because I know a God who will listen to them.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bunmi's conversations with God is filled with majestic, beautiful prose. The prayers speak to the ups and downs of life. l I swear at times she was in my head as I've had some similar conversations. This is a great gift book.

[Carrie Thoreson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! So many times I found myself agreeing with her prayers. I finally had the words to convey my thoughts. A very rare 5 star review for me! Thank you, Bunmi, for your bravery and honesty!

[Brooke Buxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing. Real and I loved it!

[Steph Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

It ended too soon

I am going to go back right now and read this again. What thoughtful, sensitive, honest prayers! The poetry really touched my soul.

[Isley Forrester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this!🙏

[Lcharlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So raw, so beautiful!

[Samantha Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

So amazing. I couldn’t put it down. It made me laugh and cry. Shear brilliance

[Perfumegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Goodreads and Zondervan Publishing for this ARC

Dear God is a collection of prayers written by Bunmi Laditan ~ they are written like letters to God

Bunmi Laditan definitely has a gift for writing, the prayers were beautifully written, sometimes sad, sometimes a little funny

A wonderful book.

[Lisa Mockus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads. I was not familiar with this author and am glad to have the opportunity to read this! This would be a great gift book.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short, daily letters to God from a woman who put onto paper her thoughts, questions, and ramblings about God, purpose, and her struggles. Very relatable, slightly funny, and depressing. It’s good to know others have similar conversations and thoughts with God, and struggle with life and His love. We are human and it’s nice to relate to others.

Reading this was like taking all the walls down. People say they pray and we pray over supper, but no one ever talks about their most intimate conversations with God. In Dear God, that’s not the case. It’s real, raw, and relatable.

“…Have you thought of not being invisible? I’d love to hold your hand.” (Page 47)

The author had a challenging life and frequently sought God and His love. Many of the entries show the rawness of her struggle.

My favorite entries, asking for grace, are on pages 116 and 117.

“Thank you for meadows. Thank you for wildflowers and their reminder that not everything beautiful has to be fancy.” (page 146)

When referencing hard times: “…because I know who I am to you, I can get through.” (page 147) I love this powerful reminder. Its referenced in different ways throughout the books entries.

There’s a powerful entry on choosing faith in our darkest days on page 148-150. I read it a few times.

“Somewhere, someone is crying… God, please send an Angel of light to take their hands. Let the despair and hope rise in their heart… Rescue them, please. Like you rescued me.” (page 156)

When asking for help, this line, beautiful written, spoke to me: “…Breath fresh air into my lungs and tranquility into my heart when I am scared.” (page 159)

There’s a lovely entry thanking God for dogs: “You gave me a friend today. She walks on four legs and is covered in hair. She’s a bit needy. Cries a lot. Remind you of anyone? Thank you for dogs… Is that why you created dogs? To remind us of how pure love and loyalty can be if we let it in?” (page 164-165)

The entries and the book simply come to an end. There is no bow to tie things up, but I find that to be ok.

[Liz Gilday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, such a good book! I read it in one sitting. Took me about an hour right before church this morning, but I couldn't put it down. The amount of sticky-note tabs I put in that book to copy down prayers/quotes later is insane. :)

What I love about this book is that there's something in it that everyone can relate to. Whether questioning if God exists, wondering that if God does exist, why there's suffering in the world, struggling to believe God will help us, believing God will help us, asking Him silly questions, and so much more. This book really portrays a heart that yearns for more than what this life gives.

I love how the author, throughout the whole book, still believed in God and respected Him, even when she doubted her love for Him, doubted His love for her, and didn't fully trust Him. She still BELIEVED. And the book ends with her having found Him and put her full faith and trust in Him which is absolutely beautiful.

This book is an inspiring, easy read, and makes you really consider your prayer life and relationship with God. I highly recommend to . . . well . . . everyone! Christian or not.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"I like to imagine the cracks in my mind let Your light in better. Maybe my brokenness is like stained glass. Perhaps my brain is like a radio that can't tap into the Top 40 stations but plays a tune from heaven," (40).

"Thank you for those who feed stomach before minds, give hugs before teachings, and help pull you out of the fire before the reprimand for playing with matches," (140).

"Please forgive me for my mistakes. Sometimes I try to clean them up or cover them with a soiled cloth, but I am incapable of doing either. I forget that You're the healer, the fixer, the redeemer, and I try to be the janitor, dragging a dirty mop through gray water, moving the mess around, cleansing nothing," (154).

Such a good book!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not religious but rather describe my self as spiritual. Organized religion does not appeal to me although the sacrament of communion remains sacred to me. Raised Catholic, too many of the Church’s teachings are not acceptable to me but I very much believe in living a life of service. At one time I would have said a “Christian” life but that descriptor excludes so many people of other faiths who are caring and living servants. And the last 5 years have shown a dark side of white Christian evangelicals that are far from Christ-like. So I use the term spiritual. Still, I picked up this book hoping it was not an evangelical tome and was happy to find it was not.

Bunmi Laditan has travelled through organized religion, from Christianity to Judaism. Too often the hypocrisy of Christian church members and leaders angered her while their religious cultural mores isolated her. She had as little relationship with the members as she had with God.

Then she married a man of Jewish faith and although, not required, Bunmi decided to convert. She adopted Judaism completely and felt complete. Until her marriage ended when once again, she had lost her spiritual connection. She drifted in and out. Another relationship. Another child.

Then Bimini went directly to God. In prayer she connected with her God and this book is a series of her letters to God. They are her journey to building a relationship of faith, hope, and love with the God she considers a friend, a brother, and a father. She describes her doubts, struggles, anger, fears, understanding, gratitude, and love as the relationship grows. Each letter is a prayer, but a down-to-earth conversation as well.

[Julie Kwiat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided on a whim to listen to this author for the first time. It wasn't what I was expecting. I thought it would be more like poetry but what I read was more like letters and random thoughts of appreciation to the lord. Would I read one of her books again? Maybe not. This author doesnt seem to have the flowing writing style I'm used to reading.

Favourite entry:
Dear God,
I've been thinking about forgiveness a lot lately. You've seen into my heart, you know what I keep in there, and that anger, bitterness, and hurt drip from the walls like sticky honey. I've tried to forgive and let go but just when I think I’m over it something will remind me and it's like I'm living in a nightmare again. Is it possible to forgive and forget or is forgiveness just a decision to try. I want to forgive the way you say you do, removing all memory of sin and shame, throwing them as far as the east is from the west, whipping the slate clean but I'm not god. I'm me. Forgiving...how do I do this? How do I do this when letting go might leave me vulnerable to getting hurt again? How do I do it when the person isn't even sorry? When the anger comes back I choose to try and forgive because you forgave me. If I believe in your forgiveness I have to believe in mine too. The power to forgive must be the strongest in the universe. It's a legacy that comes from you. Help me be powerful enough to let things go. Help me god because I can't do it by myself. I want so badly to let go and forgive, not for their sake but mine. For the burden of the past is too heavy to carry into each new day. Help me God.
Love,
Me.

[Jonathan Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

The introduction gave me hope - the author’s description of her background seemed relatable and an interesting context to understand what type of relationship with God she might have.

Unfortunately I didn’t find the conversations/prayers she has with God to be relatable in anyway. I found no deeper understanding of God, just about the author - akin to reading a personal journal/diary. And honestly I found her to be a bit much, nothing ever drew me into her or wanting to align with her.

Everyone should speak to God in their own way, so I have no issue with what she does personally, but as a reader I could not relate to the minutia of content or casualness of free flowing thought.

I was also snapped back into reality in each prayer’s attempt at poetry - each prayer not a recording of a real prayer, raw and emotional, imperfect with the unrehearsed words, and in my experience is direct communication without metaphor or poetic speech - but the author attempts to be poetic (and in my option does not execute well) which draws you away from any notion that this is an honest representation of what a conversation with God would actually be like.

[Suzanne Cefola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally started this book and stopped halfway through.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about it but something felt off in a few of her prayers that I could not pinpoint. I decided to read to the end and I am glad I did. Many of her prayers I could have prayed myself, as I related to her struggles and questions. So for this it is a good read to reveal your own heart.

I still gave it 3 stars because I felt it lacked hope for the reader. It exposed the thoughts, but it did not offer a solution. There was hardly any scripture found in any of her journal entries or the book at all. If I want to know that God that you are praying to how then do I find him?

I believe It is important, especially when we share our wayward and raw honest thoughts with others, that we also lead them to that source of knowing the true God so that they too can grab hold of that true hope.

[Kelley Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bunmi has the courage to put into words what many of us think. We all walk with God in different ways. So many of her letters said exactly what I’ve thought and at times felt ashamed of. The road of life is bumpy, smooth, with peaks and valleys. Her heartfelt words and honesty give reassurance that we are not alone in our thoughts and reflections as we navigate life through faith. For me personally this came at a time when the road ahead seems unattainable. It gave me the nudge I needed to forge ahead. I’m not alone in this. My breakthrough is coming. This book hits the heart of the matter and is quite refreshing. Raw, real and honest.

[LisaO · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels a little voyeuristic and deeply intimate intentionally choosing to read (listen to) someone’s very personal prayers and struggles but then that’s what’s in the Bible, too. There were “did she just say that?” moments which reminded me we have no secret thoughts from God and He really desires us to share what’s on our heart and mind. Her story is interesting and heartbreaking and hopeful. I loved this short book and walked away challenged to be more diligent about praying with more sincerity and candor.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of poetry, but I've been following Bunmi/Honest Toddler on social media for many years. She's always honest and connects with her audience. Many of the poems were heartbreaking and sad, speaking of her intense loneliness, struggles with forgiveness. There was also humor, and some poems were beautiful and simple. Some of the longer ones with more flowery language didn't land with me. Quick, short read.

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was well written. Some of it came off the page singing.

I feel weird "reviewing" someone writing honest letters to God to begin with because that's not my place but several times I thought why is this a book? Maybe it is a book because it is unlike the so many nearly indistinguishable Christian books on the market all with their similar format, style, cover art. Maybe that's why it's a book, even if it didn't speak to me personally.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author’s writing in other books. Honest Toddler and Toddlers are A$$holes are hilarious books that k recommend to everyone with kids! This book is so totally different from those. Not satire or wit. Just beautiful, heartfelt, honest prayers. I don’t think I was really in the headspace for what I was going to be reading. So that’s why I give it a lower rating. But beautiful work nonetheless.

[Melanie]

I don’t usually go for books of prayer written by contemporary authors but I really like Bunmi Laditan’s Dear God. I appreciate her social media observations about parenting, and Honest Toddler is legendary, so I checked her book out. She gives voice to what many believers may be thinking but are hesitant to label “prayer.” Sincere and beautiful.

[Christy Redelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It makes me yearn for this relationship with God

My mind doesn't think this way and I love reading it. I want to be able to talk to God in this way, to be so honest and have this relationship no matter what is going on. It has opened up a whole new way of thinking and praying for me. I wanted to highlight each one so they'll show up on my Readwise feed every day.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

“DEAR GOD,
I am quite sure
I will never know the depths of your love for me, so I say,
Thank you, Father, I am
yours
forever.
Love,
ME”


This is by far the most beautiful book I’ve ever read. I am in awe of how raw and honest Bunmi is in her conversations with God and inspired to work toward this kind of prayer life. My heart is full after reading this book!