A Bold Call to Pray Bigger and Believe Deeper

Recently, I had a divine coffeeshop appointment with a dear friend who couldn’t say enough good things about The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson—and by the time she finished, I had already ordered it on Amazon!

God’s timing is always perfect. The book arrived just in time for the “Covid rest” I didn’t know I needed.

As I prepare for the upcoming launch of Prodigal Prayers, The Circle Maker is helping me draw circles around the book and pray bold, faith-filled prayers over every prodigal that will be prayed for and every person who will read it.

If your prayer life feels dry or small, The Circle Maker will stretch your faith, ignite your boldness, and remind you it’s not about quick answers—it’s about transformation.

This is a book review and my key takeaways from reading Mark Batterson’s prayer-changing book—"The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears."

Have you ever felt like your prayer life is stuck in a rut—routine, predictable, maybe even powerless? If so, you’re not alone. Many believers sense there’s more to prayer than quick thank-yous and urgent requests. That’s where The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson steps in—not just as a book, but as a spiritual wake-up call.

At the heart of The Circle Maker is an ancient Jewish legend about Honi the Circle Maker—a man who, during a devastating drought, drew a circle in the sand, stepped inside it, and boldly told God he wouldn’t move until the rain came. God answered. The circle became a symbol—not of manipulation, but of unshakable faith.

Mark Batterson takes that symbol and builds a powerful framework for prayer—one that is bold, expectant, and rooted in the character of God. Through his personal stories and biblical teaching, Batterson invites us to pray bigger prayers over our lives, families, communities, and our callings.

Batterson emphasizes that playing it safe in prayer doesn’t inspire divine action. God is honored when we believe Him for the impossible. Many of us don’t dream big enough. If your dream doesn’t scare you or require divine intervention, it may not be from God. Prayer fuels vision.

Drawing prayer circles isn’t a one-time act—it’s a discipline. Persistent prayer keeps our hearts aligned with God and prepares us for His timing. One of the most striking reminders in the book is this: when we focus on the Answer-Giver instead of the answer, peace and clarity follow.

Ultimately, bold prayers don’t just change circumstances—they change us. Through prayer, God shapes our character and strengthens our faith.

One of my many favorite quotes from the book is this:

​“…we shouldn’t seek answers as much as we should seek God. We get overanxious. We try to microwave our own answers instead of trusting God‘s timing. But here’s an important reminder: If you seek answers, you won’t find them, but if you seek God, the answers will find you. There comes a point after you have prayed through that you need to let go and let God. How? By resisting the temptation to manufacture your own answer to your own prayer.” —Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker

In a world filled with fear, limitations, and spiritual fatigue, The Circle Maker revives the hunger for passionate, daring prayer. Especially if you’re interceding for a prodigal, longing for a breakthrough, or standing on the edge of a God-given dream, this book gives you the language, vision, and courage.

Whether you’re just starting to explore the depths of prayer or you're ready for fresh fire in your prayer life, The Circle Maker is a must-read. It’s practical yet profound, full of scriptural insight and real-life stories that will challenge and inspire you to believe bigger.

This is not just a book to read—it’s one to live out. Read the book and let it stir your spirit. You'll find yourself drawing circles—figuratively or literally—around the people, problems, and promises you’re praying over. Invite a friend to read it with you for accountability and support.

​This book is great for:

• Anyone feeling stuck in their prayer life
• Believers pursuing a breakthrough or waiting on promises
• Leaders, parents, and intercessors seeking God-sized impact
• Anyone who dares to believe that prayer still changes everything

Get your copy of The Circle Make here and let your prayers grow bigger than your fears—because God is bigger than both.

How might your life, relationships, and faith journey change if you began praying with the boldness, persistence, and God-sized vision described in The Circle Maker?