Does God Expect a Perfect Church or A Broken Church Who Loves Well

A Carpenter’s Prayer is based on a true story set in a small town in Michigan in the 1970s. It is a story of miracles, redemption, and hope. In A Carpenter’s Prayer Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children.

A Carpenter’s Prayer Christian Movie Review

Studio Synopsis:

A Carpenter’s Prayer tells the inspiring true story of a pastor and his family who set out to build a new church in 1970s rural Michigan. Along the way, they face challenges that threaten to unravel everything when an afflicted carpenter becomes their unlikely source of hope, proving that faith in God is the true path to redemption, even in the most tragic circumstances. 

My Synopsis:

When Pastor Doyle Clark prays for a miracle to help build a church and school, God sends Glenn Frank. Frank has returned to his hometown, but everyone remembers the worst about him. He drinks to escape the pain of his past. However, Doyle and his son believe Frank is the answer to their prayers, and that God uses broken people to transform the church.

A Carpenter’s Prayer Christian Review – What Parents Want to Know

Language:

No foul language. There is a mention of God using a prostitute (from the Bible).

A man is called pathetic trash.

Violence:

Several scenes involve a man being drunk. In one scene, he is thrown out of a bar, and he is put in a police car. During the film, he attempts to detox and is shown vomiting. Additionally, he drives his car on train tracks while a train is coming. He does pull off the tracks.

There is also discussions about people dying in a fire. 

A man is said to have a heart attack, and he does die. It is all off-screen. Another man dies, and a memorial service is held for him.

Additionally, a man is shown in a catatonic state on the floor. It is revealed that he suffers from depression.

Another man is involved in a fatal car accident. This is very tastefully done with little being shown.

Spiritual Content:

This is a Christian-based film with plenty of references to God, the Bible, and there is talk about redemption, miracles, and broken people responding to God. Additionally, Christian music is sung throughout the film.

There are several Bible stories mentioned, such as Jesus feeding the 5000, Jonah, and using a prostitute to build His church.

A man gives his son a small notepad to write down his prayers to keep track of answered prayers.

A boy questions why God quit listening to his prayers. His father answers, “God is always listening.”

Deception:

A boy and an alcoholic agree to keep secrets for each other.

Several people “lie” or omit the truth throughout the film.

Positive Content:

First, this is a great film about how God answers prayers. While it is not always in the way we expect the prayer to be answered, it showcases God’s miracles. Additionally, many times we cannot even see the answer from our perspective. Sometimes it takes us looking back and seeing how God orchestrated the answer to fulfill His purposes. However, often times we never see the answers in our lifetime. God showed the people of New Hope church the answers to their prayers.

A young boy takes the money he is saving for a guitar and buys medicine for someone else.

A Carpenter’s Prayer Christian Movie Review – My Viewing Recommendations

What if the church (the body of believers) quit expecting perfect people to enter the chubrch building seeking God? What if we accepted broken people and loved them? Would we see true transformation? Since the inspiring film, A Carpenter’s Prayer, is a story of broken people becoming who God has called them to be, it shows real life and often that is messy.

While A Carpenter’s Prayer is unrated, it is not suitable for all audiences. Due to the heavy drinking, several scenes involving death, and the heaviness of the film, I would recommend ages 7-10 and up. However, it is a great Christian movie that is entertaining, inspirational, and reminds us of what our role as Christians should be.

About the Movie – A Carpenter’s Prayer

Rating: Unrated – May not be suitable for young children.

Release Date: August 9, 2024

Runtime: 1 hour, 31 minutes

Genre: Drama (Based on a true story)

Studio: Forester Films

Directed by: Matt Webb

Written by: Matt Webb

Produced by: Lance Clark, Matt Webb

Edited by: Noelle Thomas

Music by: David Siebels

Distributed by: Cinema Cloudworks

Cast of A Carpenter’s Prayer:

Glenn Frank played by Jeff Dernlan

Lance Clark played by Reed Schwieterman

Doyle Clark played by David Bianca

Janet Clark played by Alicia Kelley

Ken Strickler played by Stephen Baldwin

Bev Frank played by Bethany Ann Lind

Betty played by Betty Kramer

Carmen played by Jared Friesen

Harold played by Robert Lamar Burns

Mr. Davis played by Tim Bensch

Daryl played by Michael Paff

Lloyd played by Thom Hofrichter

Shirley Strickler played by Rebekah Ward

George played by Mark Esch

Bar Owner played by Miguel Insignares

Thelma played by Lorraine Knox

Radio Voice played by Adam Widener

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I watch A Carpenter’s Prayer?

A Carpenter’s Prayer has a limited opening in theaters on August 9, 2024. Check to see if there are any theaters near you.