If you got my Christian Read Aloud Family Calendar (see my announcement about it here) you know that for this day, 10/31, on my calendar, I recommend reading aloud the above picture book to your children. That’s because it’s about Martin Luther. I like the idea of many Christians to remember Martin Luther on this day of Halloween/All Hallow’s Eve. Some people also call this day Reformation Day, like Amy over here at raisingarrows.net. It was on this day in 1517 that he, as a Catholic monk, posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church in Germany. These were his reasons why he felt the Catholic Church had gone astray from the Bible. He was a key figure of the Reformation. This Reformation paved the way for the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. You can read about that here. When Luther was summoned to recant what he wrote, he said:

“Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. … Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise.” (Quoted in Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther (1950), 185.)

I so appreciate the courage of Martin Luther to stand true to his conscience! He’s an important historical figure for children to learn about. This picture book is the perfect introduction to him. It doesn’t give much biographical information about him but shows him as someone full of wisdom on how to pray. This is a great foundation of knowledge to build upon when you and your children read more detailed biographical books about him.

Here’s what goodreads.com says about The Barber Who Wanted to Pray:

“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.”

I enjoy the beautiful illustrations. It’s a lovely book. You can watch and listen to someone read aloud the book below.