A Simple Way to Pray

Do you want to know how to pray, as this barber of the 1600s did? Then read his story, and what he received so long ago, you too will receive it. And it will transform your life. One of the best writing on prayer! God is waiting for you with open arms, ready to bless you.

What I liked was how the author gives clear examples of HOW TO PRAY the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments and more! —Encouraging us to take it from there and then use our own words as the Spirit leads our hearts. This is highly recommended reading for everyone who is serious about learning to pray more honestly and deeply. Enjoy!!

The book is simple to read. Helpful to focus on Glorifying God in prayer.

Just think, a book written 500 years ago that is just as applicable today as ever. Martin Luther deals with a subject every Christian in the world need to understand better. I believe this book can help with many of the problems in the Church today.

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.

I love this book. I've been praying using the Lord's Prayer for years and this book took it to the next level. I loved it so much I bought extras to give away. It's an easy read as well.

Very thin, but worthy of read and mediated

This book will help anyone who struggles with finding words to express ourselves in prayer to our gracious, so eternal, life giving and sustaining God. The scope and breadth of how to think of myself in light of who God is has been deeply helpful and humbling. It's a book worth reading often, committing it to one's mind with intention and delight.

This book is so simple and so intense that makes me wonder why on earth I couldn’t think about this before. Martin Luther took the 10 Commandments and The Father's Prayer and began a prayer as a conversation with God: praising, confessing, sorrowing, asking for forgiveness, etc.(...)“You shall not murder.” The first thing I learn from this commandment is that God expects me to love my neighbor, that I do him no bodily harm either by word or deed. I should in no malicious or vengeful way, led by anger, impatience, envy, hate, or any other evil motive, try to get even with him or harm him. On the other hand, I should know that I owe him assistance and good counsel for all of his bodily needs....Second, I thank him for his most indescribable love, concern, and faithfulness over against me. God has erected such a strong abode and wall around my person that all people are obliged to take care of and protect me, and I, in turn, owe them the same. When this doesn’t happen, he has ordered the government to punish those who fail to follow this ordinance.

I gave this book to a teenager who asked for it. All credit to the teenager.

Nothing changes in the Bible.God's Word of the Old Testament and the Scriptures of The New Testament which are inextricably linked one to another.In this short book Martin Luther in 1535. wrote an explanation of how to pray for an old friend. It explains the Lord’s Prayer section by section in a most readable way. It then goes on to explain the Ten Commandments in much fuller detail followed by an explanation of what is behind the Creed. This is a statement of our belief in God our Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit.It is all as completely relevant today as it was in 1535. In fact we are told that the book has never been out of print since it was written.

I found this one of the most important books on prayer to work along side the bible to help kick start my prayer life. Many people have methods but this one makes the most sense to me.

This is a classic book on prayer by the great reformer. I wish I had read this book years ago it would have certainly changed the way I would have prayed and revolutionised my Christian walk.