Customer Reviews

A Simple Way to Pray

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This is a very small book containing Martin Luther's response to his barber's questions about prayer. This is a book that can be read within the confines of an hour, but reveals both thoughts and techniques about prayer that the serious minded Christian will want to take with them and apply for a lifetime.

When it comes to the subject of prayer, there is no shortage of books and other materials that are available for Christians to peruse. But this little book by Luther is quite substantive not only in its approach to prayer, but also in its attitude of total reverence. In many ways, the book is a recital of a number of Luther's actual prayers and this provides an extremely insightful look not only into the prayer life of Martin Luther but also about the scope of prayer that Luther adopted. I suspect many modern readers will be extremely impressed and even marvel at the depths to which Luther made prayer the centerpiece of his Christian walk, and how such devotion to prayer seems so beyond what many of us contemporary Christians tend to practice in our quiet time with God.

There are two main strengths in this book that can transform a person's prayer life. First are the words of Luther himself in his prayers. The reader gets the sense of Luther's crystal clear understanding of the eternal immensity of the power of God and the utter helplessness of man absent God. Gaining a proper perspective in prayer means understanding who it is we are praying to, and understanding why we pray. I happen to think that a widespread return to Luther's perspective in these areas would revolutionize the universal Church through much more effective prayer that comes with having a Biblical understanding of the sovereignty of God and why we need Him.

Second, Luther's technique toward prayer in this book is hugely important. In particular, his fourfold partition in prayer of instruction, thanksgiving, confession/repentance, and request after meditating on a Scripture passage is outstanding. Luther properly puts the emphasis on Bible reading as a key way to ready the heart for sincere and meaningful prayer. Further, he stresses the need for the Christian to follow the guidings of the Holy Spirit in prayer so as to have a dynamic and heart-filled prayer life rather than a prayer life of mind numbing ritualism or legalism.

In summary, this is great instruction from a giant of the Christian faith that we as Christians should strongly consider in our attitudes towards prayer.

A Simple Way to Pray is an excerpt from volume 43 of the American Edition of Luther's Works. In that sense nothing new is in this book; that does not mean the book is worth little. Luther explains and shows how on can pray The Our Father (Lord's Prayer), the Ten Commandments, and the Creed. Surely, anyone can repeat these, but Luther entreats the reader to approach each Commandment (or petition) as a fourfold garland: a schoolbook, a hymnal, a penitential book, and a book of prayer.

For example, for the 5th Commandment, "You must not murder," Luther writes:

[Garland 1] Here I learn, first of all, that God desires me to love my neighbor, so that I do him no bodily harm . . . that I am obliged to assist and counsel him in every bodily need.

[Garland 2] I give thanks for such ineffable love, providence, a faithfulness toward me by which he has placed this mighty shield and wall to protect my physical safety.

[Garland 3] I confess and lament my own wickedness and that of the world, not only that we are so terribly ungrateful for such fatherly love and solicitude toward us-but what is especially scandalous, that we do not acknowledge this commandment and teaching, are unwilling to learn it, and neglect it as though it did not concern us or we had no part in it.

[Garland 4] I pray dear Father to lead us to an understanding of this his sacred commandment and to help us keep it and live in accordance with it.

This is an abbreviated version of each garland, for Luther writes more in depth on each fourfold area. I found myself praying some of what Luther wrote as I read it, realizing that I do not pray as I would like.

I this era when many do not pray, or pray ineffectually, this book teaches us the hows and the why. In the same way that children must be taught to speak properly, so, too, must the Christian be taught-for Jesus Himself gave the Our Father for that very purpose. Prayer is a result of what God has done for us, for without God's mercy and granting of faith, what person would have the desire to pray to the one, true God? Prayer is never a work that one does for God. God speaks to us in His Word, and we speak to Him in prayer.

This little book can easily be read in one sitting; yet, one may want to reread it often! The book's only fault, which is minor, is that the translation seems wooden and stilted to the modern ear. For instance, Pg. 32 reads: "It seems to me that if someone could see what arises as prayer from cold and unattentive heart he would conclude that he had never seen a more ridiculous kind of buffoonery." See how much crisper this translation reads from By Faith Alone: "If it were possible to see into a person's heart, nothing would be more ridiculous than seeing the thoughts of a cold, undevoted heart in prayer."

Because of this sometimes wooden translation style, this book garners four stars instead of five. Nonetheless, do not let the awkward turn of a phrase keep you from buying, reading, and rereading this book. This book has value to any Christian desiring to learn how to pray better; "It is a good thing to let prayer be the first business of the morning and the last at night." (Pg. 18) In your grace and mercy, dear Father, make this so.

A Simple Way to Pray is an excellent resource for all Christians. I highly recommend it. But I wouldn't by the book. It is a little book (3 inches by 5 inches I would guess) with only 70 pages or so. Of that only 45 are actually Luther's writing. The material is free domain, so if you do an internet search for "Luther simple way to pray" you'll get access to all the text easily. I copied that to Word and put the font to Times New Roman 12-point and it is only 13 pages long. That's a much cheaper option than the $10 or $12 plus shipping for this little book and you get the same blessings from reading the text.

Summary - great read, but get it cheaper.

Martin Luther's barber once asked him to instruct him regarding prayer. This little 62-page book is Luther's reply. He lovingly, warmly writes his thoughts on regularly praying the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostle's Creed. And Luther does not simply call for a thoughtless, legalistic recitation. Rather, he advocates pouring ourselves and everything we have into these prayers, fully involving our minds and hearts. Read this book, be blessed in your prayers, and learn what it means to pray to "Our Father."

This is a beautiful and thoughtful gift - for yourself or a friend. Whether new Christian or seasoned believer, many of us find ourselves wondering, "how should I pray?" or "how might my prayer life be better?"

Originally a response to his barber's honest question, Martin Luther's answers are still as rich and relevant as when they were first penned.
This book is not as intense as most of Luther's writings, so it's an easy read and encouraging reference.

Rather than a checklist or scripted answer, Luther guides us into scripture and a personal time of intercession. With beautiful and practical ideas from Luther's own experience, it offers a welcome rest from the many "how to" books on prayer.

This writing predates the immense divisions of the modern church's denominations, and it will be appreciated by nearly anyone.

This book by Martin Luther is an excellent study on learning how to pray the way the Lord teaches us to in His Word. Luther breaks it down into bite size pieces and methods that clarify our purpose and responsibility to pray. It is a truly simple method that puts the power of prayer comfortably in our hands. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be a prayer warrior.

This as well as the lot of Martin Luther's works are a good motivational and inspirational tool. Since I started getting Martin Luther with the movie Luther, I have lost 180 pounds. Unlike ghetto online "covens," Lutheran churches are a good way to get to know people and know a pastor as a spritual mentor. I have been baptized Lutheran and have completed adult confirmation, and am in monthly attendance at my local church.