Standing in the Need of Prayer 
 
Please Note: THIS BOOK IS ALSO AVAILABLE VIA AMAZON BY PURCHASING HERE:
https://www.amazon.com/Standing-Need-Prayer-Nikki-Giovanni/dp/1098321537/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=nikki+giovanni+and+jericho&qid=1596035500&s=books&sr=1-6
 
Nikki Giovanni, Editor/Poet
Emily Calvo, Illustrator
Jericho Brown and Jordan “Dxtr Spits” Holmes, Contributors
 
Borrowing the title of a traditional African American hymn, Standing in the Need of Prayer poetically describes the vulnerability of black men and the ongoing injustice they encounter in America.
 
Noted poet, Nikki Giovanni speaks to participants of the Million Man March, Tupac's mother, and expresses her own trepidation felt in response to late-night callers who may or may not be the bearers of tragic news. Her writings are bookended with poems by DXTR Spits (Jordan Holmes) as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Jericho Brown. Illustrator, Emily Thornton Calvo punctuates each poem with art that depicts the anger and frustration as well as the constant concern felt by those who love them.
 
Standing in the Need of Prayer is critical to those who care about understanding the position of others who live under the weight of systemic racism--and a call for prayers to protect them. 
 
Lyrics:
 
Standing in the Need of Prayer
It’s me, it’s me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer;
It’s me, it’s me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.
    Not my brother, not my sister
    But it’s me, oh Lord
    Standing in the need of prayer.
It’s me, it’s me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer;
It’s me, it’s me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.
     Not my mother, not my father
    But it’s me, oh Lord
    Standing in the need of prayer.