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10th out of 30 books
—
4 voters
The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears
Sharing inspiring stories from his own experiences as a prayer circle maker, Batterson will help readers uncover their heart's deepest desires and God-given dreams and unleash them through the kind of audacious prayer that God delights to answer.
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published
by Zondervan
(first published November 1st 2011)
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The Circle Maker opens with the story of Honi, a Hebrew sage from the generation before the birth of Christ, whose prayer, according to legend, resulted in the breaking of a severe drought, thereby saving the people of Israel from decimation. So great was his trust and reliance on God that he drew a circle on the ground, knelt down inside it, and announced that he would not move until rain fell from heaven.
I generally approach books that promise to tell me how to get my prayers answered with a...more
I generally approach books that promise to tell me how to get my prayers answered with a...more
I was disappointed in the Circle Maker. It was too short.
I enjoyed Pastor Mark Batterson’s book tremendously. But I was done much too soon. That’s how reading a book should feel.
There are tons and stacks of books out there about prayer. But Batterson comes at the subject from a different angle. He doesn’t challenge you to pray a formula. He challenges you to pray big. Pray the kind of prayers that God wants to be a part of; the kind of prayers where God gets all the credit.
Batterson introduces t...more
I enjoyed Pastor Mark Batterson’s book tremendously. But I was done much too soon. That’s how reading a book should feel.
There are tons and stacks of books out there about prayer. But Batterson comes at the subject from a different angle. He doesn’t challenge you to pray a formula. He challenges you to pray big. Pray the kind of prayers that God wants to be a part of; the kind of prayers where God gets all the credit.
Batterson introduces t...more
Very few authors have grabbed my attention and focus from a spiritual perspective as Mark Batterson has. The last authors who captivated me to this extent were John Eldredge or Henri Nouwen. I have been reading everything by Batterson I could get my hands on. But to be honest, I was weary of reading this book. It has so much hype, and it is 'the book' to read in some Christian circles currently. But after reading Praying Circles Around Your Children and The Circle Maker Student Edition: dream bi...more
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Here’s the premise of the Circle Maker, a book on ‘praying through’: pray circles around your God-given dreams and keep praying ‘till God answers.
Yep, it’s controversial. As someone who has a healthy aversion to anything that reeks of ‘name it and claim it’, I was skeptical as well. After the first chapter, telling the story of Jewish legendary circle maker Honi who stood in a circle to pray for rain, I wasn’t convinced this book was Biblical at all. But after reading the whole book, I’ve change...more
Yep, it’s controversial. As someone who has a healthy aversion to anything that reeks of ‘name it and claim it’, I was skeptical as well. After the first chapter, telling the story of Jewish legendary circle maker Honi who stood in a circle to pray for rain, I wasn’t convinced this book was Biblical at all. But after reading the whole book, I’ve change...more
This book was eye-opening for me, and I've put a lot of it into practice.
There were a lot of "coincidences" around my reading of the book that made it quite clear that Someone was trying to get my attention!
Yes, I've read the reviews that mention Batterson's theology. I read the book carefully, and discussed it with my husband. He skates close to the line a few times, but I think he's on the correct side. Like anything else, you need to check it against Scripture and against what you know of God...more
There were a lot of "coincidences" around my reading of the book that made it quite clear that Someone was trying to get my attention!
Yes, I've read the reviews that mention Batterson's theology. I read the book carefully, and discussed it with my husband. He skates close to the line a few times, but I think he's on the correct side. Like anything else, you need to check it against Scripture and against what you know of God...more
In The Circle Maker, Mark Batterson, internationally acclaimed author and lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C., exemplifies the life of Honi, an obscure Old Testament prophet whose tenacious and in-God’s-face prayer of faith saved his country from disaster not only in his own generation, but also through his family’s legacy. Batterson reminds us that even small people can change history through audacious prayer, urging us to dream big dreams and pray in such a way that we...more
Well worth my time in reading.
As with In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase, Batterson overlaps some stories. I would've organized the book slightly differently. (Chapter 15 "Life Goal List" could've easily been folded into the first of Batterson's three circles: "Dream Big," and I think that section of the book would've been stronger for it.) I'll admit, too: Batterson challenges my faith less than Peggy Joyce Ruth of Psalm 91.
Still? Batterson is brilliant, and his thinking--...more
As with In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase, Batterson overlaps some stories. I would've organized the book slightly differently. (Chapter 15 "Life Goal List" could've easily been folded into the first of Batterson's three circles: "Dream Big," and I think that section of the book would've been stronger for it.) I'll admit, too: Batterson challenges my faith less than Peggy Joyce Ruth of Psalm 91.
Still? Batterson is brilliant, and his thinking--...more
This book has so much to recommend it. Written in an engaging style, it reminds us of the power of prayer and encourages us to use our lives effectively for God. However, there are so many approaches to prayer that are either wrong from a scriptural standpoint, or can be easily misunderstood, that I have no enthusiasm for this book. Batterson claims that his is not a “name it and claim it” approach to God, but then he turns around and encourages the reader to “name” a Biblical promise from God (...more
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I have mixed feelings about this book. This is a book on prayer which is loosely based on a Jewish legend of a man named Honi who during a drought drew a circle in the sand and prayed that God would send rain and lots of it. And God did. Essentially Batterson is encouraging readers to pray similar big risky prayers. He claims it is not about health and wealth and magically getting what you want but pressing in and faithfully asking for the big stuff because God will do great things.
So far so go...more
So far so go...more
Batterson's book was challenging, inspiring, and somewhat controversial. Christians must read anything outside of biblical texts with a grain of salt, recognizing that just because it's in a book written by a Christian doesn't mean it is absolutely right. I enjoyed The Circle Maker because it gave me new ways to pray and challenged me to go outside of my normal routines of prayer. I questioned it because many of his references were not backed up (at least within the context of the book). Because...more
This book was very convicting. It challenged me to "circle" my greatest areas of concern with prayer, similar to the Israelites circling Jericho. When we earnestly seek God's will and focus our prayers, He's going to knock down the walls and work His good purpose in our life.
Since I'm a very task-driven person, I loved the section on goal-setting. I loved his definition of goal = "dreams with deadlines." Two guidelines to goal setting are 1) ensure that they will be to God's glory and 2) don't...more
Since I'm a very task-driven person, I loved the section on goal-setting. I loved his definition of goal = "dreams with deadlines." Two guidelines to goal setting are 1) ensure that they will be to God's glory and 2) don't...more
"When you live by faith, it often feels like you are risking your reputation. You're not. You're risking God's reputation. It's not your faith that is on the line. It's His faithfulness. Why? Because God is the one who made the promise and He is the only one who can keep it. The battle doesn't belong to you; it belongs to God. And because the battle doesn't belong to you, neither does the glory. God answers prayer to bring glory to His name, the name that is above all names...it's about giving G...more
The premise of this book is to challenge us to pray big, hairy, audacious prayers (adapted from Jim Collin's big, hairy audacious goals idea). Batterson does a good job in challenging the way we pray and what we believe God wants to do and what kind of prayers he wants to answer. This book will challenge you to pray prayers that will bring glory to God because he alone will be able to answer them. If we can accomplish what we are praying for then we do not need God. The reality is we always need...more
This is the next book my small group will read together. Very challenging, inspiring book on prayer. Here are a few takeaways:
* Every great movement of God begins with prayer. Within the circle of prayer. Within you.
* Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers.
* God isn't offended by your biggest dreams or boldest prayers.
* Who you become id determined by how you pray.
* If you keep circling the promise, God will ultimately deliver.
* What if Jesus were to ask you the same question h...more
* Every great movement of God begins with prayer. Within the circle of prayer. Within you.
* Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers.
* God isn't offended by your biggest dreams or boldest prayers.
* Who you become id determined by how you pray.
* If you keep circling the promise, God will ultimately deliver.
* What if Jesus were to ask you the same question h...more
4 likes · like · see review
I was a bit cautious and a little bit cynical even before I started to read this book. Would it be a Osteen-esque kind of wealth gospel: "Pray and God will give you abundantly!"?? (I am very wary of the way Joel Osteen makes it seem like the Christian life is about comfort and affluence. It is indeed an enticing, appealing message for the masses, and while I believe that God does provide for his children and He does want to give good things to them, Christians are essentially called be like Jesu...more
I want to explain my reasoning for a one star review:
Of the Batterson books I've read, this is my least favorite. The focus and concept of prayer is very true and imperative, which I appreciate. Though, most times I felt as if the focus ended up on asking for what we want rather than what God would have us receive. I did take away a few thoughts which challenged me. At any rate, I feel there were many cliche and coined phrases which left me feeling irritated.
I referred to Batterson's first few...more
Of the Batterson books I've read, this is my least favorite. The focus and concept of prayer is very true and imperative, which I appreciate. Though, most times I felt as if the focus ended up on asking for what we want rather than what God would have us receive. I did take away a few thoughts which challenged me. At any rate, I feel there were many cliche and coined phrases which left me feeling irritated.
I referred to Batterson's first few...more
I enjoyed this book concerning prayer. There were several valid points about sticking with a prayer, trusting that God is going to answer, utilizing Scripture to help you know how to pray, etc. These are excellent point and being reminded of the simplicity/difficulty in those points, often brought me to tears.
There are three reasons I didn't score it higher than three stars. For one, it was repetitive. His book could have been 75-100 pages if he only kept the new material in. Two, if it's not ca...more
There are three reasons I didn't score it higher than three stars. For one, it was repetitive. His book could have been 75-100 pages if he only kept the new material in. Two, if it's not ca...more
I had this book recommended to me by two different people. I wasn't sure I wanted to read it (because I thought it'd be hokey) but then decided to dive in and see what it was all about.
It's really a book about prayer and about believing God for big things. It encourages you to realize the power of God and also His love for his children and his Joy in giving good gifts and also bringing glory to himself by fulfilling promises. It's an encouraging book that helps strengthen your faith and challen...more
It's really a book about prayer and about believing God for big things. It encourages you to realize the power of God and also His love for his children and his Joy in giving good gifts and also bringing glory to himself by fulfilling promises. It's an encouraging book that helps strengthen your faith and challen...more
So many good, Biblically solid points. I learned a lot about the power of God through prayer.
It's a fine line, though, between praying big prayers believing God will answer in His best possible way, and "name it and claim it" prayers. Batterson is careful to make the distinction, and yet fills his book with examples of "we laid our hands on this property and God gave it to us" and stories of all the wonderful, expensive things he's done in his life and wants to do in the future.
So read this book...more
It's a fine line, though, between praying big prayers believing God will answer in His best possible way, and "name it and claim it" prayers. Batterson is careful to make the distinction, and yet fills his book with examples of "we laid our hands on this property and God gave it to us" and stories of all the wonderful, expensive things he's done in his life and wants to do in the future.
So read this book...more
This book engaged me from beginning to end. I loved the personal testimonies mixed with historical references--they combined to give me a rich understanding and belief in the message.
What is the message of this book?
Pray strong. Pray long. Pray through.
I needed this. It's easy to pray strong, long, and through when life is going your way--it's much harder to pray this way when nothing feels right. But that's when we need it the most.
I loved this book. I would give it more than five stars if I co...more
What is the message of this book?
Pray strong. Pray long. Pray through.
I needed this. It's easy to pray strong, long, and through when life is going your way--it's much harder to pray this way when nothing feels right. But that's when we need it the most.
I loved this book. I would give it more than five stars if I co...more
The legend of the circle maker points to first century BC and a man named Honi. Honi dared to pray in a land where noone heard from God. Honi like the famous prophet Elijah, was famous for his ability to pray for rain. he drew a circle in the dirt, stood in the middle of it and boldly asked for God's mercy and for rain. Honi determined that he would not leave the circle until it rained.
If you know God is on your side, you will pray bigger prayers
Circling things in a prayer walk brings change and...more
If you know God is on your side, you will pray bigger prayers
Circling things in a prayer walk brings change and...more
Dec 31, 2012
Steven R. McEvoy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2012-best-of,
read-2012
This is the second book by Mark Batterson that I have read in under a month. It was such an amazing read that when I finished it I flipped back to the first page and started reading it again, this time taking more time to digest and process the material. Though this student edition is co-written with his son Parker Batterson, it was also a great read as an adult. Now I must admit I have not read The Circle Maker (yet!) but this book was done in an amazing way and I highly recommend it. The secti...more
To me this book is not what I thought it would be , I feel like the guy mark Batterson thinks God is a genie in a bottle if we pray big we get big things, I do. It think or believe like that God answers our prayers according to His will and For His glory not ours and He chooses how those prayers get answered . It may not be the way we want them answered. So if you are praying big things and those things do not get answered period you set your self up for disappointment , God has promise many pro...more
This book was far from my regular reading, and in many ways was far from what I would typically recommend. Then again, there is much to recommend about the book. OK, so far I have not actually said anything, so here are some more objective statements. “The Circle Maker” is all about praying to God, the master of the universe, as seeing Him do the miraculous. It (the book) is both consistent with scripture and totally honouring to God. In this sense, the book is highly recommended. But, the metho...more
There are very few modern writers that I can enjoy everything that they write and never tire of it. Some authors, I have found, write one book and then every subsequent offering is simply a regurgitation of the first; the same words in a different format and order. Mark Batterson's words are always new and refreshing and after reading his latest book I understand why. He shared that every time he authors a new book, he and his staff pray circles around it that it would get into the right people'...more
"Dream Big. Pray Hard. Think Long." These three phrase drove the book. Mark does a wonderful job in conveying the message of prayer to believers. Many times believers forget the power of pray, the pray of God, the power of answered prayers. Mark most certainly is a believer in real God changing prayer. His book has personally influence me and my prayer life. I do believe had has put dreams in my heart and goals for me to accomplish. Dreams and goals that can only be accomplished with prayer. God...more
Learned a lot from a failed church planter, who's made it happen. This is the second book by Mark Batterson, that I have read in the last year or so. I have to say that this is a book that is truly amazing.
Mark Batterson has a way of telling a story and tying it into the Biblical viewpoint. This book is a book on prayer, and how it changes you and can change your church. I read this book along side Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala, and it has made me re-examine the prayer service I lead at...more
Mark Batterson has a way of telling a story and tying it into the Biblical viewpoint. This book is a book on prayer, and how it changes you and can change your church. I read this book along side Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala, and it has made me re-examine the prayer service I lead at...more
In the spirit of "The Circle Maker", in every transitional point of my life God has been faithful in giving me an idea, a prayer, a verse a dream to act as a place to focus in the midst of the great unknown. What I find interesting is that this is the third book that I have picked up that has centered around the idea of praying big and praying bold and taking risk. Looking back I also have found a large part of a difficult piece of transition in my own life anchored in the story of Acts and the...more
Part inspiration. Part biography of a church planter. Part steroid shot for your prayer life!
I have not had a book inspire and challenge me spiritually like this one in a long time. Batterson shares out of his own personal experiences in a way that pushes the reader to new depths in believing God for huge things in our lives!
I will admit that this book pushed me to wrestle theologically in ways that I did not anticipate. I was forced to wrestle in fresh ways with God's sovereignty and man's role...more
I have not had a book inspire and challenge me spiritually like this one in a long time. Batterson shares out of his own personal experiences in a way that pushes the reader to new depths in believing God for huge things in our lives!
I will admit that this book pushed me to wrestle theologically in ways that I did not anticipate. I was forced to wrestle in fresh ways with God's sovereignty and man's role...more
The author had an easy-to-read style and excellent points regarding prayer. The historical quotes and stories in particular were very interesting to me. There were only a couple tiny little places where I flinched over Biblical examples that seemed off the mark [i.e. Daniel did not prophesy the 70 years of captivity, Jeremiah did].
All in all this book is an encouragement to engage in consistent and heartfelt conversation with God. There are also many passages that directly discuss goal setting w...more
All in all this book is an encouragement to engage in consistent and heartfelt conversation with God. There are also many passages that directly discuss goal setting w...more
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“Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers. God isn’t offended by your biggest dreams or boldest prayers. He is offended by anything less. If your prayers aren’t impossible to you, they are insulting to God.
Prayers are prophecies. They are the best predictors of your spiritual future. Who you become is determined by how you pray. Ultimately, the transcript of your prayers becomes the script of your life.
The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked.
God does not answer vague prayers. The more specific your prayers are, the more glory God receives.
Most of us don’t get what we want because we quit praying. We give up too easily. We give up too soon. We quit praying right before the miracle happens.
If you don’t take the risk, you forfeit the miracle.
Take a step of faith when God gives you a vision because you trust that the One who gave you the vision is going to make provision. And for the record, if the vision is from God, it will most definitely be beyond your means.
We shouldn’t seek answers as much as we should seek God. If you seek answers you won’t find them, but if you seek God, the answers will find you.
If your plans aren’t birthed in prayer and bathed in prayer, they won’t succeed.
Are your problems bigger than God, or is God bigger than your problems? Our biggest problem is our small view of God. That is the cause of all lesser evils. And it’s a high view of God that is the solution to all other problems.
Because you know He can, you can pray with holy confidence.
Persistence is the magic bullet. The only way you can fail is if you stop praying. 100 percent of the prayers I don’t pray won’t get answered.
Where are you most proficient, most sufficient? Maybe that is precisely where God wants you to trust Him to do something beyond your ability.
What we perceive as unanswered prayers are often the greatest answers. Our heavenly Father is far too wise and loves us far too much to give us everything we ask for. Someday we’ll thank God for the prayers He didn’t answer as much or more than the ones He did.
You can’t pray for open doors if you aren’t willing accept closed doors, because one leads to the other.
Just as our greatest successes often come on the heels of our greatest failures, our greatest answers often come on the heels of our longest and most boring prayers.
The biggest difference between success and failure, both spiritually and occupationally, is your waking-up time on your alarm clock. We won’t remember the things that came easy; we’ll remember the things that came hard.
It’s not just where you end up that’s important; it’s how you get there. Goal setting begins and ends with prayer.
The more you have to circle something in prayer, the more satisfying it is spiritually. And, often, the more glory God gets.
I don’t want easy answers or quick answers because I have a tendency to mishandle the blessings that come too easily or too quickly. I take the credit or take them for granted. So now I pray that it will take long enough and be hard enough for God to receive all of the glory. Change your prayer approach from as soon as possible to as long as it takes.
Go home. Lock yourself in your room. Kneel down in the middle of the floor, and with a piece of chalk draw a circle around yourself. There, on your knees, pray fervently and brokenly that God would start a revival within that chalk circle.”
—
3 people liked it
More quotes…
Prayers are prophecies. They are the best predictors of your spiritual future. Who you become is determined by how you pray. Ultimately, the transcript of your prayers becomes the script of your life.
The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked.
God does not answer vague prayers. The more specific your prayers are, the more glory God receives.
Most of us don’t get what we want because we quit praying. We give up too easily. We give up too soon. We quit praying right before the miracle happens.
If you don’t take the risk, you forfeit the miracle.
Take a step of faith when God gives you a vision because you trust that the One who gave you the vision is going to make provision. And for the record, if the vision is from God, it will most definitely be beyond your means.
We shouldn’t seek answers as much as we should seek God. If you seek answers you won’t find them, but if you seek God, the answers will find you.
If your plans aren’t birthed in prayer and bathed in prayer, they won’t succeed.
Are your problems bigger than God, or is God bigger than your problems? Our biggest problem is our small view of God. That is the cause of all lesser evils. And it’s a high view of God that is the solution to all other problems.
Because you know He can, you can pray with holy confidence.
Persistence is the magic bullet. The only way you can fail is if you stop praying. 100 percent of the prayers I don’t pray won’t get answered.
Where are you most proficient, most sufficient? Maybe that is precisely where God wants you to trust Him to do something beyond your ability.
What we perceive as unanswered prayers are often the greatest answers. Our heavenly Father is far too wise and loves us far too much to give us everything we ask for. Someday we’ll thank God for the prayers He didn’t answer as much or more than the ones He did.
You can’t pray for open doors if you aren’t willing accept closed doors, because one leads to the other.
Just as our greatest successes often come on the heels of our greatest failures, our greatest answers often come on the heels of our longest and most boring prayers.
The biggest difference between success and failure, both spiritually and occupationally, is your waking-up time on your alarm clock. We won’t remember the things that came easy; we’ll remember the things that came hard.
It’s not just where you end up that’s important; it’s how you get there. Goal setting begins and ends with prayer.
The more you have to circle something in prayer, the more satisfying it is spiritually. And, often, the more glory God gets.
I don’t want easy answers or quick answers because I have a tendency to mishandle the blessings that come too easily or too quickly. I take the credit or take them for granted. So now I pray that it will take long enough and be hard enough for God to receive all of the glory. Change your prayer approach from as soon as possible to as long as it takes.
Go home. Lock yourself in your room. Kneel down in the middle of the floor, and with a piece of chalk draw a circle around yourself. There, on your knees, pray fervently and brokenly that God would start a revival within that chalk circle.”
