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The Circle Maker summary
Brief summary
The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson is a compelling book that explores the power of prayer and the concept of drawing prayer circles around our biggest dreams and greatest fears. It offers practical and inspiring insights on how to pray with greater boldness and faith.
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The Circle Maker
Summary of key ideas
Understanding the Power of Prayer
In The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, we are introduced to the concept of 'circle making', a powerful form of prayer that involves drawing circles around your dreams, your problems, and the promises of God. The author begins by recounting the ancient legend of Honi, a Jewish scholar who drew a circle in the sand and prayed for rain during a devastating drought. His bold prayer was answered, and the rain came, saving his people.
Batterson uses Honi's story to illustrate the audacity of prayer and its transformative power. He argues that we often limit God with our prayers, asking for only what we think is possible, and not what we truly desire. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical examples, he encourages us to pray with boldness and persistence, just as Honi did.
The Art of Circle Making
Building on the legend of Honi, The Circle Maker introduces the concept of 'praying through' and 'praying hard'. Batterson emphasizes the need for perseverance in prayer, often citing Honi's example of drawing larger and larger circles as he prayed for rain. He stresses the importance of not giving up, even when our prayers seem to go unanswered.
The author also discusses the role of faith in circle making. He believes that our prayers should be backed by unwavering faith in God's ability to answer them. Batterson uses the story of the Israelites' conquest of Jericho to illustrate the power of faith-filled prayers, highlighting the correlation between the size of the circle and the strength of one's faith.
Practical Applications of Circle Making
As we delve deeper into The Circle Maker, Batterson provides practical advice on how to implement circle making in our own lives. He introduces the concept of prayer circles, which are specific areas of our lives that we regularly pray for. These circles can encompass anything from personal goals to family members, and even our communities.
The author also discusses the importance of writing down our prayers, believing that the act of physically writing them out increases our faith and commitment. He encourages us to create prayer lists and to regularly review and update them, ensuring that we remain focused and persistent in our circle making.
Embracing the Uncertainty of Prayer
Despite the power and promise of circle making, Batterson acknowledges that not all prayers will be answered in the way we expect. He emphasizes that God's ways are higher than ours, and sometimes, His answer may be 'no' or 'not yet'. Nevertheless, he assures us that our prayers are never in vain, and that God uses them to shape us and our circumstances.
In conclusion, The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson offers a compelling exploration of the transformative power of prayer. Through the ancient legend of Honi and practical insights, the author encourages us to approach our prayer life with boldness, persistence, and unwavering faith. He reminds us that our prayers have the potential to shape our destinies and change the world around us.
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What is The Circle Maker about?
The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson is a compelling book that challenges readers to dream big and pray bold prayers. Drawing from ancient Jewish legends, Batterson shares inspiring stories of how persistent prayer can lead to miraculous breakthroughs. This book will encourage you to think differently about prayer and inspire you to trust God for the impossible.
The Circle Maker Review
The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson (2011) explores the power of prayer and its ability to transform lives. Here's why this book is worth a read:
- Offers inspiring stories of the impact of prayer, showcasing the profound changes it can bring about in various situations.
- Presents a fresh perspective on the importance of bold prayers and how they can shape our destinies and create meaningful experiences.
- Keeps readers engaged with its practical strategies for implementing prayer and fostering a deeper connection with spirituality, ensuring a thought-provoking and enriching read.
Who should read The Circle Maker?
Individuals seeking to deepen their prayer life and faith
Readers interested in personal development and goal achievement
Those looking for inspiration and motivation to pursue their dreams and overcome challenges
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The Circle Maker FAQs
What is the main message of The Circle Maker?
The main message of The Circle Maker is about the power of prayer and perseverance in achieving your goals.
How long does it take to read The Circle Maker?
The estimated reading time for The Circle Maker is a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Circle Maker a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Circle Maker is worth reading for its inspirational content and practical advice on prayer and goal-setting.
Who is the author of The Circle Maker?
The author of The Circle Maker is Mark Batterson.
What to read after The Circle Maker?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Circle Maker, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama
- On Being by Peter Atkins
- The Biology of Belief by Bruce H. Lipton
- Buddha’s Brain by Rick Hanson
- Choose Yourself by James Altucher
- Going Clear by Lawrence Wright
- The Power of No by James Altucher and Claudia Azula Altucher
- The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan