I was hesitant to read The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears
. I hate gimmick Christian books. It seems like every few years in the Christian world, someone comes out with a new prayer gimmick, or a new devotional gimmick, or a new leadership gimmick, etc.
Thankfully, I was wrong about this one. The Circle Maker is an excellent read that really challenged my thinking in the areas of prayer, faith, and vision. Mark Batterson is an engaging writer and story teller. He does a great job of weaving personal stories throughout the text to bring the principles alive.
The title comes from an ancient Jewish story about a man named Honi. He was a priest who lived a century before Christ. Honi was known for his powerful prayer life. Honi got his nickname as “The Circlemaker” during a severe drought. The people came to him and begged him to pray for rain. In response, Honi drew a circle in the dirt, stood inside it and said, “God, I will not move from this circle until you send rain!” I will not spoil the story for you but suffice it to say, God answered Honi’s prayers.
This is an excellent book about prayer but it is really more about developing a vibrant relationship with God. How do we live out our faith? How do we hold onto the promises of God when there is no evidence that God is even listening to us? How do we maintain our focus on the visions and dreams that God has given us when the cares of life crowd in on us?
Our society is one in which we love that which is quick, instantaneous, and painless. Prayer is none of the above. Connecting with God, however, is what we were created to do. God is waiting to do for us more than we could ever imagine. It will probably not be quick, instantaneous, or painless, but seeing God answer our prayers will leave us longing for more of Him!
If you would like to help us as we prepare to move back to Brazil, here is the link. Obrigado! (Thank you!)
