Mark Batterson’s The Circle Maker is a transformative book about the power of bold, persistent prayer. Drawing inspiration from the story of Honi the Circle Maker, a Jewish sage who prayed for rain during a drought, Batterson encourages readers to pray with faith, confidence, and perseverance. If you’re looking for a book that will reignite your prayer life and help you dream bigger, this is a must-read.
Summary of the Book
The book begins with the story of Honi, who drew a circle in the sand, stood inside it, and prayed until God answered his prayer for rain. This act of faith sets the tone for the entire book, which encourages readers to draw circles of prayer around their dreams, goals, and needs, trusting God to answer in His perfect timing.
Batterson emphasizes that God honors bold prayers because bold prayers honor God. Through personal stories, biblical examples, and practical advice, he challenges readers to pray with more intention, creativity, and persistence.
Key Takeaways
1. Dream Big
One of the central themes in The Circle Maker is the idea of dreaming big. Batterson believes that many of us don’t experience the fullness of God’s blessings because we limit our prayers to small, safe requests. He encourages readers to “dream God-sized dreams” and not to be afraid of asking for the impossible.
“God is for you. If you don’t believe that, you’ll pray small, timid prayers. If you do believe it, you’ll pray big, audacious prayers.” — Mark Batterson
2. Pray Boldly
Bold, specific prayers demonstrate faith. Instead of vague, general prayers, Batterson urges readers to be precise about what they are asking God for. By doing so, we can recognize when God answers and give Him the glory.
“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.” — Mark Batterson
3. Pray Through
Persistence is key. Batterson explains that sometimes God’s answers don’t come right away, but that shouldn’t discourage us. He uses the phrase “praying through,” which means staying committed in prayer until you see a breakthrough. It’s a reminder not to give up, even when the outcome seems delayed.
“You can’t just pray like it depends on God; you also have to work like it depends on you.” — Mark Batterson
4. Circle Your Biggest Challenges
Batterson introduces the concept of “circling” your dreams, challenges, or even impossible situations. Just as Honi physically drew a circle and prayed until God answered, we can figuratively draw circles around our deepest desires and pray persistently. The act of circling represents commitment and faithfulness.
“Drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn’t just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for God. It’s a mechanism whereby God accomplishes great things in us.” — Mark Batterson
5. God’s Timing is Perfect
Throughout the book, Batterson reminds readers that God’s timing is different from ours, but it is always perfect. He encourages patience and trust, knowing that sometimes waiting is part of God’s plan to build our character and faith.
“Who you become is not a result of what you do for God; it’s a result of what God does in you.” — Mark Batterson
Favorite Quotes from the Book
- “If you keep circling the promise, God will ultimately deliver on it.”
- “The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked.”
- “Pray as if it depends on God, and work as if it depends on you.”
- “You are always one prayer away from a miracle.”
What made me love this book
This book is a refreshing and uplifting guide on how to deepen your prayer life. Batterson’s writing style is accessible, engaging, and filled with practical insights. I found his personal stories particularly motivating, as they demonstrate how God answers prayers in unexpected and powerful ways.
The book challenges you to think bigger and to take steps of faith, even when things seem impossible. It serves as a reminder that God is capable of doing more than we can ask or imagine, and that our prayers play a crucial role in unlocking His plans.
Who Should Read This Book?
If you are feeling stuck in your prayer life, or if you need encouragement to trust God for something big, The Circle Maker is for you. It’s also an excellent read for those who want to understand how to pray with more faith and persistence. Whether you’re new to prayer or have been praying for years, this book will inspire you to pray bolder, more intentional prayers.
Final Thoughts
The Circle Maker isn’t just about praying for things you want; it’s about partnering with God in faith. It encourages readers to see prayer not just as a list of requests, but as a powerful, ongoing dialogue with God. By learning to pray circles around our dreams, problems, and loved ones, we align ourselves with God’s plans and open our hearts to His blessings.
Have you read The Circle Maker? What was your biggest takeaway? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Nice review