Draw the Circle

As Christians, the season of Lent, is our time for reflection, repentance, and renewal. It is also our time as a congregation to come together in prayer. This year we are using the book, Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge, by Mark Batterson. This devotional is a companion for his book, “The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears.” In this book Batterson invites the reader to a lifestyle of bold and relentless prayer. It begins with the story of Honi who became known as the Circle Maker because of the way he prayed. Honi prayed for rain during a devastating drought. As he prayed, he drew a circle in the sand and promised the Lord he would not move from the circle until his prayer was answered. He prayed passionately and he prayed specifically until rain flowed generously and abundantly.
Inspired by the legend of the Circle Maker, Batterson’s prayer life was transformed and he began circling his dreams in prayer. This ultimately led him to start National Community Church in Washington D.C. His book tells the story of his prayer circles, and the powerful results the church experienced as they persisted in prayer. National Community Church has been recognized as one of America’s 25 most innovative congregations.
Now, I’m not suggesting that if we do what this church did, we will experience the same results. What I am suggesting is that as we pray boldly, specifically and consistently, God will speak, God will move, and God will reveal in ways we have yet to imagine. “Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3).
You are invited these next 40 days to draw prayer circles around God sized dreams and to circle them in prayer until God speaks, God moves, and God reveals. I truly believe amazing things happen when God’s people pray.
Keep circling!

Pastor Lucretia