The Circle Maker, by Mark Batterson, is an excellent book about prayer. It has changed the way I approach prayer, specifically persevering in prayer. About a year ago, the church where I was serving as Youth Minister before moving to Clarkesville decided to go through the book as a congregation. How neat it was to see everyone, adults, youth, and children, studying and applying the same curriculum at the same time! Within the month, our church experienced powerful testimonies, extravagant giving, and faithful stewardship beyond what we could have imagined. To God be the glory for what He did in our church!
The story of Jericho, below, is, as the author puts it, the backdrop for the book.
12 Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. 13 The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the Lord and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets kept sounding. 14 So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days. 15 On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!
This story is one of deliverance, provision, and fulfillment. The Lord made a promise to the Israelites that Jericho would be theirs, and the Lord fulfilled His promise when with shouts of praise, the walls fell and the Israelites took the city.
After finishing the book, our youth group continued to be challenged by the story of Jericho and the persistence of the Israelites. One Sunday night before youth group started, a group of our students and leaders literally prayed circles around our youth building, praying through the promises, hopes, and goals that the Lord put on our hearts for our Youth Group and our Church. Following the example of the Israelites, we walked 7 laps around the building praying silently during the first 6 laps before proclaiming our prayers loudly to God on the 7th lap. Thankfully, unlike the Bible story, our building did not fall down, but we did experience incredible breakthrough. Throughout the 2013-2014 year, our youth group experienced unbelievable growth and we saw fulfillment of prayers we had prayed years prior. Looking back, this continues to be a highlight from my years at that church, not because it was a cool experience, although it was, but because God blessed our group for His glory and for His purposes.
Our God is faithful and He fulfills His promises to us. Sometimes fulfillment comes in unexpected forms, but ultimately, our God does not forget nor forsake the promises he has made to us. Let us be encouraged to pray boldly and to persevere in prayer. Let us commit to praying for others and for those who lead Habersham County, our state, and our nation. Our prayers are powerful and when we commit to being Circle Makers, or those who pray fervently and with persevere, fulfillment comes. As Batterson says, “With each circle, their stride grew longer and stronger. With each circle, a holy confidence was building pressure inside their souls…If you keep circling the promise, God will ultimately deliver on it.” Let us partner with God as we pray His plans, His purposes and His will be done.
