Sometimes We Pray Review: Exploring Faith and Diversity

 

"But we keep praying. Perhaps the same prayer,  
or sowing the same seeds, or marveling at..." 

In a world that often feels loud, divided, and heavy, Sometimes We Pray by Mary Wagley Copp arrives as something quiet and gentle. 

This 40-page picture book simply shows us something beautifully human: people pray. And we pray in many different ways. Some pray to a higher being, a God. Some pray to feel connected to something bigger than themselves. Some pray alone in silence. Others pray together in community. Some bow and prostrate. Some sing. Some chant. Some look up at the sky. 

What I found especially meaningful is that the book includes Muslims in it. A mosque is mentioned. A family makes du’a before a meal. Hijabs are visible. Salah is shown. As a Muslim reader, that representation matters. 

Now, I know some might feel uncomfortable seeing their way of prayer visually placed alongside other forms of prayer. But for me, in this particular moment, the book felt less like comparison and more like a reminder: we are more alike than we sometimes think. The author is not Muslim, and the book doesn’t claim to represent Islam in depth. It simply includes Muslims as part of the wider human experience of prayer. And it does so respectfully. 

The text is simple and minimal, paired with soft, beautiful illustrations that carry much of the emotional weight. The focus is clearly on the how of prayer, not the who or the why. It doesn’t explain beliefs or spiritual meaning. It doesn’t attempt to say all religions are the same. It simply shows different postures, rituals, and expressions of devotion around the world. That simplicity, however, can also feel a bit vague. The parents and teachers should know that this book is more of a cultural diversity book than a spiritual lesson. 

Overall, Sometimes We Pray is a gentle, inclusive picture book about shared humanity. It’s best read as a starting point for conversations about faith, about difference, and about the small but meaningful ways people reach toward something beyond themselves. 

If you’re looking for a soft, unity-centered story to introduce young readers to the idea that prayer exists in many forms, this one might be worth adding to your shelf.

Thank you to Charlesbridge Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.