The Barber Who Wanted to Pray

by R.C. Sproul, T. Lively Fluharty (Illustrator)

This imaginative tale, based on a true story, begins one evening with Mr. McFarland leading family devotions. When his daughter asks him how she should pray, Mr. McFarland shares a 500-year-old story--a story about a barber and his famous customer.

Master Peter is a barber well known to all in his village. One day, when Martin Luther the Reformer walks into his shop, the barber musters up the courage to ask the outlawed monk how to pray. Dr. Luther responds by writing a letter to the barber (a letter that we know today as the book, A Simple Way to Pray!). The barber's life is changed as he encounters a model for prayer by using the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles' Creed.

R. C. Sproul's beautifully illustrated story will engage children and help them learn to pray according to the Bible. Dr. Sproul's unique gift for explaining complex truths will make this a treasured book to be returned to time after time--a delight for both children and their parents!

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Theology, Fiction, Christian, Prayer, Faith

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sproul's gift is not in creative children's stories, but his children's books are still useful in that they teach good lessons. Plus, the illustrators are usually top notch.

This book on prayer uses 3 guides: The Lord's Prayer, the 10 Commandments, and the Apostle's Creed. See Keller's book on Prayer for much more detail.

[India · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy-to-read book for children — though I must say that I found it quite helpful for me too. The drawings and the cover are beautiful. I am really looking forward to reading it with my sons! :)

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not the most creative story, The Barber who Wanted to Pray is a simple and helpful summary of Luther’s A Simple Way to Pray. This book serves as a great reminder to come before our God boldly with child-like faith.

[forthefamilyssake Hailey White · Rating 3 out of 5]

We enjoyed this book as a family and the message is important for us all. Theology was what I was hoping for. Illustrations exceeded my expectations. The story was a bit preachy. I wish Dr. Sproul would have just started with the story of the Barber and not added the practical application of the family. For that reason I think it will appeal more to parents and less to children. We will certainly read this on Reformation Day each year.

[Maxime N. Georgel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un super livre pour enfants, traduit par BLF et publié sous le titre "le barbier qui voulait prier". Inspiré de l'histoire vraie de Maître Pierre, le barbier auquel Luther a écrit "Une manière simple de prier". Ce livre de Luther est d'ailleurs republier en français par Publications Chrétiennes sous le titre Lettre à mon barbier. Il doit être le livre le plus court de Luther.

Dans ce livre, Sproul enseigne aux enfants à prier et le fait excellemment bien. Nous disons souvent aux enfants de parler à Dieu avec leurs propres mots, mais Sproul montre ici qu'il peut être bon de leur apprendre à prier avec les mots de la Bible ! Basé sur le Notre Père, les Dix Commandements et le Credo des Apôtres, Sproul explique aux enfants la méthode de prière du docteur Luther de façon simple et belle.

Les illustrations sont magnifiques et grandes. Excellent.

[Jacqueline Murdock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book! I am thankful for a resource to summarize A Simple Way To Pray for children. There is definitely a need for gospel Christ centered resources to teach children about prayer. The story isn’t the most creative and doesn’t go too much into Luther’s life. But my 1st and 3rd graders didn’t mind at all. They want to hear more about the reformation, Luther, and implement what they learned about prayer after reading this book! Which is the goal!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really how could anything with my favorite reformer in it get less than 5 stars?!

[Seth Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Claudia Valdivieso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy buen libro para enseñar a los niños (y a los padres) una forma sencilla de orar. Gracias Martín Lutero. Gracias R. C. Sproul. A practicar!

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another of RC Sproul’s children book. There has been a few of his books that I and my kids have enjoyed from him which led me to purchase this book as well. In this work RC Sproul writes a book that touches on prayer. I love how in this book as well as others RC Sproul writes on spiritual truths using a story within a story in which the first level of the story are kids hearing adults telling a story with a spiritual lesson that is relevant for them and their situation. That helps the kids think more reflectively of how the main story applies to the children’s lives.


In this story we find a barber name Peter who wanted to learn more of how to pray. Someone enters into his barbershop which the artwork and Sproul’s storytelling builds the suspense for the readers of wondering who this individual is. It turns out that it is Martin Luther the Reformer. Peter the Barber asks Martin Luther to teach him to pray to God which prompted Luther to go back home and write a book for Peter. The rest of the book also summarizes what Luther taught Peter in regards to prayer.

This story is actually based on historical events which was delightful for me as someone who enjoys church history. Martin Luther originally wrote an open letter called “How One Should Pray, for Master Peter the Barber” in which he wrote to his longtime friend and barber Peter Beskendorf. This letter than became a booklet titled “A Simple Way to Pray.” Sproul’s book made it seem that Martin Luther was a stranger when he stepped into the barbershop given how Peter was surprised and excited with Luther’s entrance but of course in real life the Barber and the Reformer were already friends.

I enjoyed this book although my children had a harder time with this one than other works by Sproul. This might be largely due to the topic of prayer which can be quite abstract and harder to illustrate for kids in terms of analogies and symbolism. Also my daughters were caught up with wondering about barbers and shaving which was understandable since my little girls are still very young. But I think it also had to do with the fact that Luther’s method of prayers involved the Lord’s Prayer, the ten commandments and the Apostle’s Creed. I think going over the Lord’s prayer alone is already quite deep and a lot of materials for a children’s book but then adding the other materials didn’t allow for adequate space from merely reading the book to teach the girls (although I did teach more after I finished the book). I appreciated this book.

[Rob Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fine introduction to a simple method of prayer devised by Martin Luther during the Reformation Era. Based on a true story and a real book written by Luther for his barber, Meister Peter, readers can learn how to use the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Apostles' Creed as springboards to a more meaningful experience of Christian prayer.

The narrative is aimed at children but can be appreciated by readers of all ages, and the illustrations are very realistic and evocative of the time period in which the story takes place. Through the pages of this book, we can gain a sense of the joyful energy that the first generation of Reformers brought with them into the public square, along with a sense of the dire peril that the Reformers and their followers had to live with on a daily basis. This book brings to life a short story from the Reformation Era that can build bridges of understanding by encouraging Christians to rediscover the basics of their faith tradition and thus find greater unity among themselves as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation on 10/31/2017.

Reviewer's Note: I'm a Lutheran "armchair theologian" of the ELCA variety. I value traditional worship alongside progressive thinking. :)

[Lou Florio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a true story, this children’s book begins with a father leading family devotions. When his daughter asks him how she should pray, he shares the story of Martin Luther and his barber. The art is nice. The intention of the book good. Yet, I think the book text is a bit heavy for a child. I’d like to see how Lutherans might have approached this story. A bit more humor or entertaining action might help it be more engaging. Still, it offers a resource for parents in discussing prayer with their children. Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando. Their products related to Martin Luther and the Reformation are often pretty solid, but note, they always have a Reformed lens.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the past I haven’t often catalogued, rated, or reviewed picture books that I read with my kids, but I’m going for it in some cases this year. We listened to the audiobook this time but have read the print version several times in the past as well. Both the audio quality and the pictures in the print version are great! Sproul’s kids books are sometimes a little too lesson-oriented to make great stories (this one being no exception), but this book combines an interesting narrative setup with teaching Luther’s very helpful method for prayer. It was enjoyable and enriching for our family.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a family in which the dad leads devotions and afterwards his daughter asks how to pray. The dad tells them a story his grandfather told him about Martin Luther and his barber. While cutting Luther’s hair, the barber asks the same question about how to pray. Luther writes a small book in response which argues for memorizing the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostle’s Creed in order to pray through them phrase by phrase. Examples of how to do this are included. The book ends with the family wanting to do these things.

[Jacob Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a fan of Sproul’s children’s books and the truth that he can put in so few sentences. This is a story about a barber that asked Martin Luther how to pray. This led to him writing “A Simple Way to Pray.” This book is a beautifully illustrated version of that story and contains a short version of Martin Luther’s prayer strategy. This is a great book for any parent to walk through with their child. It is also great for any adult wanting to learn to pray for the glory of God.

[Amanda Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do feel like this could have been written better (let's face it, R.C. Sproul is a theologian, not a children's book writer, haha), but I did LOVE it and will definitely use it devotionally with children God brings into my life. The illustrations are WONDERFUL. I've read 'A Simple Way to Pray' by Martin Luther and loved it. His book reminded me to go back to that simple but profound method of prayer. Starting today!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am teaching my first grader about the Reformation, and this is one of the books we came across. It gives a very brief background (just a paragraph) to who Luther was. The core of the book is Luther's teaching on using the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles Creed prompts for prayer.
While the story isn't very engaging, the pictures certainly are. The Lord's Prayer has been hugely helpful for me in prayer, so I enjoyed sharing that with my son.

[Michael Schmid · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about how Martin Luther wrote a book on prayer especially for a barber. This includes some content from the book, which is more appropriate for children who are a little bit older and have already learned how to pray in some form or another.

[Simon · Rating 1 out of 5]

A barber was shaving a man's hair. Martin Luther came in to the shop. The barber knew that the emperor said that whoever brought Martin Luther to him would be rewarded. The barber gave Martin Luther a haircut and told him he wanted to pray. Martin Luther made the barber a book about how to pray.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent true story about Martin Luther teaching his barber to pray, as told by a fictitious father to his children. Beautiful illustrations and Sproul’s writing is engaging and lyrical. Enjoyed by our 11 and 8 year olds.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn’t what we were expecting (I think I feel that way with all of Sproul’s children’s books), but it was helpful in teaching children - and us - how to pray thoughtful and worshipful prayers.

Used with Brighter Day Press Reformation Day guide

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a children’s book with unique or especially lovely illustrations. This one has both (did you notice the painting with the kitten in it?? Those eyes??), plus a fun little bit of trivia about Martin Luther, and is inspired by a true story to boot. Would recommend.

[Silhi Ch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un cuento muy corto, sobre cómo Pedro, un barbero aprendió a orar con base en los 10 mandamientos, el Padre Nuestro y Credo de los apóstoles por consejo de Martín Lutero.
La participación de personajes infantiles, su emoción y asombro, cautivan tu corazón.

[J Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful children's book about Martin Luther and A Simple Way to Pray. Three things to memorize and use in praying: The Ten Commandments, The Lord's Prayer and The Apostles Creed.

[Josué Pineda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but I enjoyed a lot!!

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very delightful read!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on how Martin Luther came to write “A Simple Way to Pray.”

[Dwain Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this precious little book with my family.

[Lindsey Haro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great kids book on prayer. <3

[Charles Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good til they inserted a picture of Jesus into it. Come on, RC, at least warn a fella in advance.