Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson is based on the principles outlined in his previous book The Circle Maker. I haven’t read The Circle Maker, but I was still able to grasp the concept of praying circles and how it enriches our prayer lives.
The idea behind the book is that when you receive a promise from God, you diligently circle it in prayer until it is answered. The author derives this from the story of Honi. (I had no idea who Honi was, so I had to do a bit of research. Apparently, he is a character from the Talmud, who drew a circle in the ground around him and wouldn’t budge until God sent rain.)
I didn’t quite like the idea of holding God ransom until He answers a prayer, but the author repeatedly writes that it is not so. We are to keep in continuous prayer only those things for which we have received a definite word from God. It could be a verse from the Bible, or a specific promise God has given us – something we know for sure is the will of God.
The idea of circles could be physical – like walking around a building or a town where you want God to move. A biblical example of this is the Israelites walking around Jerico. They obeyed God and walked in circles around the city until God gave it to them. We could also draw a spiritual circle – for example, praying for a loved one’s salvation. It is God’s will that none should perish; when we continue to pray for a loved one’s salvation, we know it is in the will of God and He will answer it in due time.
The book has 40 short, easy to read chapters – corresponding to the 40 day challenge. Each chapter deals with a particular aspect of prayer, and includes a real life story of someone who applied it in their prayer lives and received a miracle. The book is sprinkled with dozens of one-liners that deliver quite a punch. Here are a few of them:
“The true purpose of prayer is to get into God’s presence so He can outline His agenda to us.”
“When you pray to God regularly, irregular things happen on a regular basis.”
“The plans of God are only revealed in the presence of God.”
“Prayer is the difference between the best you can do and the best God can do.”
“The God who gives the vision is the same God who makes provision.”
If you have been praying long for something, and you’re still waiting for your miracle, take heart. I’m still waiting on God for quite a few requests of my own. If you know that what you are praying for is within the will of God, do not give up. We may not understand now why there is a delay, but God will answer in His time. Continue to persevere in prayer!
Disclosure: I received a free Kindle version of this book from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.