Want to read something that will change you this year? Read “The Circle Maker” by Mark Batterson. On the recommendation of my great friend, Steve Smith, I downloaded this book on iTunes for $5.99 with a $25.00 gift card that my parents stuck in my Christmas stocking. “The Circle Maker” was the best stocking stuffer I have ever received.
If we are transparent with ourselves, we realize that we all sometimes find ourselves struggling in prayer. Struggling to pray consistently…struggling to find time to pray…struggling to find the words to pray. “The Circle Maker” will explain the struggle and give you a new lease on your prayer life.
I remember staying the night at my grandparents’ house many times as a boy. The routine was that my sleep was usually interrupted about three times before I finally got out of bed. Before the smell of my Mamaw’s famous scrambled eggs and cheese lured me to the kitchen around 8 AM, I was catching up on the sleep lost from when I was disturbed at 7 by the vacuum cleaner as my Mamaw cleaned house. But before that, at 6, I had been jarred from my dreams by the sounds of my praying grandmother.
I once asked Mamaw why she prayed so early. She responded with Psalm 63:1: “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee,” and the words, “ Jonathan, honey, you’ll never go wrong by seeking God early.”
This November, Sarah and the boys and I had the opportunity to attend Mamaw’s 75th birthday party. In the months leading up to the gathering in Missouri, I knew that we would not be able to go. I also knew how much it would disappoint Mamaw. When I let her know, she said with confidence, “Jonathan, honey, we’ll just pray that the Lord will work it out for you to come.”
Two weeks before the celebration, everything fell into place for us to fly to Missouri from where we live in New York. I remember the day when I realized that we would be able to go. I immediately knew that Mamaw had been praying. Mamaw has connections. She and God have been talking every morning for about 50 years.
“The Circle Maker” explained to me much about Mamaw. You see, she drew a circle around her desire to see her over 40 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren together one day before she leaves this world. She prayed circles around that desire many mornings. Considering that our large family lives all over the country this was a seemingly daunting prayer request. But this November, every member of our family came together to honor the lady who had circled us all in prayer for over 50 years.
What can you do to have a prayer life like my Mamaw? “The Circle Maker” highlights some of the principles that have guided powerful men and women for centuries to see great things accomplished through prayer.
