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Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge
The 40-day prayer plan that will change your life plan
Do you pray as often and as boldly as you want to? There is a way to experience a deeper, more passionate, persistent, and intimate prayer life.
In this forty-day devotional, Mark Batterson applies the principles of his New York Times bestselling book The Circle Maker to teach you a new way to pray. As thousands of readers quickly became many tens of thousands, true stories of miraculous and inspiring answers to prayer began to pour in. These testimonies will light your faith on fire and help you pray with even more boldness.
In Draw the Circle, through forty true, faith-building stories of God’s answers to prayers, daily Scriptures and prayer prompts, Batterson inspires you to pray and keep praying like never before.
Begin a lifetime of watching God work. Believe in the God who can do all things. Experience the power of bold prayer and even bolder faith in Draw the Circle.
Do you pray as often and as boldly as you want to? There is a way to experience a deeper, more passionate, persistent, and intimate prayer life.
In this forty-day devotional, Mark Batterson applies the principles of his New York Times bestselling book The Circle Maker to teach you a new way to pray. As thousands of readers quickly became many tens of thousands, true stories of miraculous and inspiring answers to prayer began to pour in. These testimonies will light your faith on fire and help you pray with even more boldness.
In Draw the Circle, through forty true, faith-building stories of God’s answers to prayers, daily Scriptures and prayer prompts, Batterson inspires you to pray and keep praying like never before.
Begin a lifetime of watching God work. Believe in the God who can do all things. Experience the power of bold prayer and even bolder faith in Draw the Circle.
226 pages, Paperback
First published December 9, 2012
1847 people are currently reading
3920 people want to read
About the author
Mark Batterson
187 books1,102 followersMark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. One church in seven locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, and the DC Dream Center. NCC is currently developing a city block into The Capital Turnaround. This 100,000-square-foot space will include an event venue, child development center, mixed-use marketplace, and co-working space. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times best-selling author of seventeen books, including The Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, Play the Man, Whisper, and, most recently, Double Blessing. Mark and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children: Parker, Summer, and Josiah.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 481 reviews
January 28, 2014
I wanted to like this book. No, that's not true. I wanted to love this book. Before requesting a copy to review, I had read several other reviews first, and saw many people talk about how life-changing it was. How it had revolutionized their prayer life.
I am sad to report that this wasn't the case for me. I did like it. It had some interesting and inspiring stories, some great quotes and reminders, and some good suggestions. It was just missing one thing: structure.
What I had expected, needed, and was hoping for was a linear approach, for want of a better term. To be truly useful to me, and for me to recommend it to others, a book like this needs to take a staircase approach. Each day's reading, story, theme, etc. should build on the day before. Ideally, a set of sub-themes would be great for a book like this (i.e. Day 1 - 10 "Press into God", Day 11-20 "Centering Your Circle on His Will", Day 21-30 "An Expectant Circle", Day 31-40 "Looking Beyond the Possible"���or something like that).
Unfortunately, each day seemed random. There was no follow-through in theme (beyond "pray, expect an answer, trust God", which was woven through most of it), and no momentum from one day to the next. As a result, I didn't feel like I really got anywhere, in part because the book didn't feel like it was going anywhere.
Having voiced that criticism, there is some other criticism--even rebuke--that Mark Batterson and Draw the Circle have received that I need to address. Some have connected the "circle drawing" to witchcraft, while others have insisted that Batterson is promoting a "health and wealth" or a "name it and claim it" theology and approach to prayer.
Both of these criticisms are patently absurd. No one could legitimately read this book and then charge the author with either of these.
Are circles used in some rituals in witchcraft? Yes. They're also used in geometry, gymnastics, roller coasters, and cooking. Are all of these to be avoided because they're obviously connected to witchcraft? (If you said "yes," please stop reading now--there's nothing else I can say to you.) The circle imagery used in this book has no more connection to witchcraft than any of these others do. Batterson uses it to make a point, and to help provide a somewhat tangible visual for the reader. To me, it did so effectively.
As for the other claim, that he is promoting a "health and wealth" or "name it and claim it" theology and approach to prayer, this is again untrue. As just one example of many, Batterson writes, "God is not your genie in a bottle, and your wish is not His command. His command better be your wish." This is so far from the charge of "health and wealth," etc. that they're not even in the same ballpark.
If you're concerned about either of these possibilities (witchcraft or a prosperity-gospel), consider your fears assuaged. If you're looking for a book that will revolutionize your prayer life, this may be it. It wasn't for me, but if you're not concerned about the scattershot approach, or if it works for you, then you may find Draw the Circle worthwhile. If nothing else, read it and draw some inspiration from some amazing quotes (like the one I shared above) that may help change your perspective (in a good way) or provided much-needed reminders.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book at no charge, but all opinions are my own.
I am sad to report that this wasn't the case for me. I did like it. It had some interesting and inspiring stories, some great quotes and reminders, and some good suggestions. It was just missing one thing: structure.
What I had expected, needed, and was hoping for was a linear approach, for want of a better term. To be truly useful to me, and for me to recommend it to others, a book like this needs to take a staircase approach. Each day's reading, story, theme, etc. should build on the day before. Ideally, a set of sub-themes would be great for a book like this (i.e. Day 1 - 10 "Press into God", Day 11-20 "Centering Your Circle on His Will", Day 21-30 "An Expectant Circle", Day 31-40 "Looking Beyond the Possible"���or something like that).
Unfortunately, each day seemed random. There was no follow-through in theme (beyond "pray, expect an answer, trust God", which was woven through most of it), and no momentum from one day to the next. As a result, I didn't feel like I really got anywhere, in part because the book didn't feel like it was going anywhere.
Having voiced that criticism, there is some other criticism--even rebuke--that Mark Batterson and Draw the Circle have received that I need to address. Some have connected the "circle drawing" to witchcraft, while others have insisted that Batterson is promoting a "health and wealth" or a "name it and claim it" theology and approach to prayer.
Both of these criticisms are patently absurd. No one could legitimately read this book and then charge the author with either of these.
Are circles used in some rituals in witchcraft? Yes. They're also used in geometry, gymnastics, roller coasters, and cooking. Are all of these to be avoided because they're obviously connected to witchcraft? (If you said "yes," please stop reading now--there's nothing else I can say to you.) The circle imagery used in this book has no more connection to witchcraft than any of these others do. Batterson uses it to make a point, and to help provide a somewhat tangible visual for the reader. To me, it did so effectively.
As for the other claim, that he is promoting a "health and wealth" or "name it and claim it" theology and approach to prayer, this is again untrue. As just one example of many, Batterson writes, "God is not your genie in a bottle, and your wish is not His command. His command better be your wish." This is so far from the charge of "health and wealth," etc. that they're not even in the same ballpark.
If you're concerned about either of these possibilities (witchcraft or a prosperity-gospel), consider your fears assuaged. If you're looking for a book that will revolutionize your prayer life, this may be it. It wasn't for me, but if you're not concerned about the scattershot approach, or if it works for you, then you may find Draw the Circle worthwhile. If nothing else, read it and draw some inspiration from some amazing quotes (like the one I shared above) that may help change your perspective (in a good way) or provided much-needed reminders.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book at no charge, but all opinions are my own.
Read
October 24, 2018Started reading this book just 40 days ago with my wife, and we're excited to be done today. I recommend this book if you are a Christian and want to draw closer to God in prayer.
March 30, 2013
Probably the most life/faith transforming book I've read in a LONG time. The Circle Maker RADICALLY altered the course of my life (in a good way :) and the 40 Day Prayer Challenge trumped it. If you can only get one of the books, I HIGHLY recommend the 40 Day Prayer Challenge. It's a book you'll read over and over again.
April 27, 2017
I read this as part of a bible study I am doing with friends and found this book difficult to get through. There were some enjoyable and very helpful parts that I will tuck in my back pocket. I even quoted it a couple of times, because of some profound things he wrote. I just expected it to be more of a " let's pray this way today" book. It's a 40 day prayer challenge, but I did not really feel challenged. It was very far from that. I felt he could be very forced, cliche' and cheesy a lot of the time. He was also straight up prosperity gospel in several instances, and in my journaling of this devotional, I found myself correcting him more than a few times. I have been listening in the car on audio to his companion book "The Circle Maker". I am about half way through, but I am not sure I can finish it. It's just the same style and a lot of repeated stories. I also have "Praying circles around your children". I am curious to see if it's any different. It's a lot shorter at least.
March 2, 2021
This book does a really good job of making God seem like a transactional God. That if we pray to God or if we are obedient to God than He will do (y). If God doesn’t deliver after we do our part than is He true with His promises still? The stories in the book are insane and spectacular and the author does a great job at giving God the credit, but it makes me think of God like a dispenser that I can control rather than the God of the Bible.
Read
February 21, 2023DNF; oh man…not me looking up where Mark Batterson got his theology degree from. Also I’m so sorry but I could not turn off my editor brain with this one. whoever developed this….didn’t.
December 26, 2018
I don't even know how many times I burst into tears while reading this book. God definitely used it to work on me the past forty days, and I'll be returning to these pages again and again.
July 11, 2020
While this book contains some true points, Batterson starts to dangerously tiptoe into the prosperity Gospel.
October 19, 2016
Like Batterson's book "The Circle Maker", this book is very troubling and must be read carefully with much discernment and compared to the Bible carefully. Many have publicly commented negatively on the direction that author Mark Batterson's teachings are taking and the direction he may be headed - with accusations of "witchcraft", "ritual magic", "Jewish Talmud", a "prosperity gospel" "name-it-claim-it" direction of money, greed, false promises and a "me-centered theology", rather than "God-centered Christianity". Remember, the best false teachers slip teachings "that tickle our ears and appeal our our selfish desires" in the middle of many statements of truth. Pray for discernment before you read this book.
As a fellow-Christian and double-ly as a fellow 5 pt Calvinist, I wish I could say I believe the teachings of Mark Batterson are biblical. I read many statements about God's sovereignty and God's glory that my heart delighted over. However, in conclusion, I must agree with other reviewers that this book is absolutely promoting "prosperity gospel" and sadly, it is wrapped in the most clever, carefully-worded mask that I have EVER seen. This is not the easily visible greedy "prosperity gospel" of the "Word Faith" or "Word of Faith" cult. This is "prosperity gospel" carefully masked between beautiful statements of how we are to live our lives trusting in a sovereign God and living to glorify God! How "crafty" was the snake/Satan in the garden. Do not fall for his carefully disguised lies.
For every sentence, ask yourself "Do these teachings match the Bible?"
"In Luke 11[:5-10], Jesus tells a story about a man who won't take no for an answer. He keeps knocking on his friend's door until he gets what he came for. It's a parable about prevailing in prayer. And Jesus honors his bold determination: "... yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need." I love this depiction of prayer. There are times when you need to do whatever it takes. You need to grab hold of the horns of the altar and not let go. You need to dare demonic forces to a duel. You need to do something crazy, something risky, something different." Mark Batterson. Draw the Circle (Kindle Locations 496-510).
John Calvin says this verse means, "Believers ought not be discouraged, if they do not immediately obtain their desires, ... we have no reason to doubt that God will listen to us, if we persevere constantly in prayer..." However, notice how the alarm bells go off in your head when you read Batterson apply this to life by adding "there are times when you need to do WHATEVER IT TAKES." "You need to dare demonic forces to a duel." Is this biblical? Although some modern day Pentecostals believe we are to "go to battle with demons", the bible does not teach this. Batterson follows with this example extracted from the Jewish Talmud Scriptures (which Christians very much reject, as the Talmud is written by rabbis hostile towards Jesus) of "doing whatever it takes":
"The epitome of shameless audacity is the circle maker himself. When a severe drought threatened to destroy a generation of Jews, Honi drew a circle in the sand, dropped to his knees, and said, "Lord of the universe, I swear before Your great name that I will not move from this circle until You have shown mercy upon Your children." It was a risky proposition. Honi could have been in that circle a long time! But God honored that bold prayer because that bold prayer honored Him. And even when God answered that prayer for rain, Honi had the shameless audacity to ask for a specific type of rain. "Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain of Your favor, blessing, and graciousness." Mark Batterson. Draw the Circle (Kindle Locations 496-510). Zondervan.
First, this is a story from the Jewish Talmud, which includes some bizarre stories and portrays Jesus as a false prophet. We do not affirm anything in the Talmud to be a true account on its own basis. So we do not know that God honored any such prayer/demands from anyone named Honi. Batterson has dangerously gone into the Jewish Talmud and ripped a story out and is using it as a basis for teaching Christian prayer.
"The moral of this parable is to prevail in prayer, but it also reveals the character of Him who answers prayer. The request is not granted simply because of repeated requests. Prayer is answered to preserve God's good name. After all, it's not our reputation that is on the line; it's His reputation. So God doesn't answer prayer just to give us what we want; God answers prayer to bring glory to His name." Mark Batterson. Draw the Circle (Kindle Locations 496-510). Zondervan.
I can just see a dozen professing Christians demanding God grant their prayers "or else God will have a bad name." Or going before unbelievers and declaring "God will heal your mother or else He will have a bad name!" This is a very dangerous claim and I do not believe that Batterson accurately portrays prayer "for God's glory" as "according to God's will" and "according to God's foreordained purpose that is set from the foundation of the world" is nearly always left out of the context.
"Go home. Lock yourself in your room. Kneel down in the middle of the floor, and with a piece of chalk draw a circle around yourself. There, on your knees, pray fervently and brokenly that God would start a revival within that chalk circle."
Draw a chalk circle around yourself and demand that God grant your prayers or you will not leave your little chalk circle [Batterson teaches the "don't leave" in his The Circle Maker" book]? How unbiblical and disrespectful and dishonoring of God. How self-focused and self-centered. Is this how Jesus taught us to pray? What happened to praying according to the Father's will?
Dozens of farmers showed up to pray [for rain]. Most of them wore their traditional overalls, but one of them wore waders! ...Why not dress for the miracle? I love the simple, childlike faith of that old, seasoned farmer. He simply said, "I don't want to walk home wet." And he didn't. But everyone else did. ...... I can't help but wonder if that act of faith is what sealed the miracle. I don't know for sure, but this I do know: God is honored when we act as if He is going to answer our prayers! And acting as if means acting on our prayers. After hitting our knees, we need to take a small step of faith. And those small steps of faith often turn into giant leaps. Like Noah, who kept building an ark day after day, we keep hammering away at the dream God has given us. Like the Israelites, who kept circling Jericho for seven days, we keep circling God's promises. Like Elijah,10 who kept sending his servant back to look for a rain cloud, we actively and expectantly wait for God's answer. ...... Don't just pray about your dream; act on it. Act as if God is going to deliver on His promise. Maybe it's time to put on waders and act as if God is going to answer. Mark Batterson. Draw the Circle (Kindle Locations 539-559). Zondervan.
Exactly like the "Word of Faith" cult that is the primary promoter of the "prosperity gospel", Batterson starts encouraging believers to "take a step in faith." This is the same false teaching referred to as "seed faith" by the "name-it-claim-it" group. Biblical "trusting faith" is trusting in God to do the best thing for you whichever way He decides to answer your prayer. It is not "acting as if God were going to grant your prayer in the way you want it to" as if this "voodo" "mind over matter" could fool God into granting that prayer just as you wish Him to. This is completely unbiblical.
Especially, take note of Batterson's false claim: "I can't help but wonder if that act of faith is what sealed the miracle." Your "acting as if God were going to give you your desires" is NOT faith and it does NOT "seal" or "grant" or "cause God to move" in any such way. This is the unbiblical teaching of "seed faith", "faith-ing-it" or "mind over matter" or "mind over God". It is using your "behavior" to "fool God/prompt God" to give you what you want.
Immediately next, Batterson makes the bold declaration: "this I do know: God is honored when we act as if He is going to answer our prayers" This is completely false! First, God ALWAYS answers our prayers. Sometimes it's a "yes", "no", "later" but He ALWAYS answers them. So "acting as if He were going to answer "yes"" as if this little "behavior" were to twist God into answering a "yes" is completely false. Why not act as if God were to answer "no"? Same logic. This is completely unbiblical.
Like the master of deception himself, Batterson then cleverly slips in "we keep hammering away at the dream God has given us" [as the Israelites and Elijah did]. Notice that Israel and Elijah were given commands directly from God. "Our dreams" "wants" "desires" are not something God told us to pursue through a prophet. In fact, they are often worldly and contrary to the desires of God. This is why often God's answers to our prayers is a "no" because our Father knows these "wants" are not for our own good.
The number of passages in this book that teach an unbiblical view of prayer are astounding. This book is entirely "prosperity gospel" masked in low-Calvinism. And even then, the low-Calvinism promoted by Batterson is very tainted with a "man can influence God through clever tricks" theology.
My disclaimer - I received this book from the publisher but I am not required to give a positive review. I always give brutally honest reviews and attempt to critically point out parts of the book that may not agree with the Bible and so not appeal to others. I want you readers to be able to confidently choose a book based on the stars I give it, because I know you have limited money, time and energy to read. So let's make the most of our lives and discern and choose the very best books wisely.
If you disagree with any point in any of my reviews, please in a loving, edifying and respectful manner, write me "as you wish someone would correct you" in detail pointing out exactly what you think I missed. I long to be sharpened. God bless.
As a fellow-Christian and double-ly as a fellow 5 pt Calvinist, I wish I could say I believe the teachings of Mark Batterson are biblical. I read many statements about God's sovereignty and God's glory that my heart delighted over. However, in conclusion, I must agree with other reviewers that this book is absolutely promoting "prosperity gospel" and sadly, it is wrapped in the most clever, carefully-worded mask that I have EVER seen. This is not the easily visible greedy "prosperity gospel" of the "Word Faith" or "Word of Faith" cult. This is "prosperity gospel" carefully masked between beautiful statements of how we are to live our lives trusting in a sovereign God and living to glorify God! How "crafty" was the snake/Satan in the garden. Do not fall for his carefully disguised lies.
For every sentence, ask yourself "Do these teachings match the Bible?"
"In Luke 11[:5-10], Jesus tells a story about a man who won't take no for an answer. He keeps knocking on his friend's door until he gets what he came for. It's a parable about prevailing in prayer. And Jesus honors his bold determination: "... yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need." I love this depiction of prayer. There are times when you need to do whatever it takes. You need to grab hold of the horns of the altar and not let go. You need to dare demonic forces to a duel. You need to do something crazy, something risky, something different." Mark Batterson. Draw the Circle (Kindle Locations 496-510).
John Calvin says this verse means, "Believers ought not be discouraged, if they do not immediately obtain their desires, ... we have no reason to doubt that God will listen to us, if we persevere constantly in prayer..." However, notice how the alarm bells go off in your head when you read Batterson apply this to life by adding "there are times when you need to do WHATEVER IT TAKES." "You need to dare demonic forces to a duel." Is this biblical? Although some modern day Pentecostals believe we are to "go to battle with demons", the bible does not teach this. Batterson follows with this example extracted from the Jewish Talmud Scriptures (which Christians very much reject, as the Talmud is written by rabbis hostile towards Jesus) of "doing whatever it takes":
"The epitome of shameless audacity is the circle maker himself. When a severe drought threatened to destroy a generation of Jews, Honi drew a circle in the sand, dropped to his knees, and said, "Lord of the universe, I swear before Your great name that I will not move from this circle until You have shown mercy upon Your children." It was a risky proposition. Honi could have been in that circle a long time! But God honored that bold prayer because that bold prayer honored Him. And even when God answered that prayer for rain, Honi had the shameless audacity to ask for a specific type of rain. "Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain of Your favor, blessing, and graciousness." Mark Batterson. Draw the Circle (Kindle Locations 496-510). Zondervan.
First, this is a story from the Jewish Talmud, which includes some bizarre stories and portrays Jesus as a false prophet. We do not affirm anything in the Talmud to be a true account on its own basis. So we do not know that God honored any such prayer/demands from anyone named Honi. Batterson has dangerously gone into the Jewish Talmud and ripped a story out and is using it as a basis for teaching Christian prayer.
"The moral of this parable is to prevail in prayer, but it also reveals the character of Him who answers prayer. The request is not granted simply because of repeated requests. Prayer is answered to preserve God's good name. After all, it's not our reputation that is on the line; it's His reputation. So God doesn't answer prayer just to give us what we want; God answers prayer to bring glory to His name." Mark Batterson. Draw the Circle (Kindle Locations 496-510). Zondervan.
I can just see a dozen professing Christians demanding God grant their prayers "or else God will have a bad name." Or going before unbelievers and declaring "God will heal your mother or else He will have a bad name!" This is a very dangerous claim and I do not believe that Batterson accurately portrays prayer "for God's glory" as "according to God's will" and "according to God's foreordained purpose that is set from the foundation of the world" is nearly always left out of the context.
"Go home. Lock yourself in your room. Kneel down in the middle of the floor, and with a piece of chalk draw a circle around yourself. There, on your knees, pray fervently and brokenly that God would start a revival within that chalk circle."
Draw a chalk circle around yourself and demand that God grant your prayers or you will not leave your little chalk circle [Batterson teaches the "don't leave" in his The Circle Maker" book]? How unbiblical and disrespectful and dishonoring of God. How self-focused and self-centered. Is this how Jesus taught us to pray? What happened to praying according to the Father's will?
Dozens of farmers showed up to pray [for rain]. Most of them wore their traditional overalls, but one of them wore waders! ...Why not dress for the miracle? I love the simple, childlike faith of that old, seasoned farmer. He simply said, "I don't want to walk home wet." And he didn't. But everyone else did. ...... I can't help but wonder if that act of faith is what sealed the miracle. I don't know for sure, but this I do know: God is honored when we act as if He is going to answer our prayers! And acting as if means acting on our prayers. After hitting our knees, we need to take a small step of faith. And those small steps of faith often turn into giant leaps. Like Noah, who kept building an ark day after day, we keep hammering away at the dream God has given us. Like the Israelites, who kept circling Jericho for seven days, we keep circling God's promises. Like Elijah,10 who kept sending his servant back to look for a rain cloud, we actively and expectantly wait for God's answer. ...... Don't just pray about your dream; act on it. Act as if God is going to deliver on His promise. Maybe it's time to put on waders and act as if God is going to answer. Mark Batterson. Draw the Circle (Kindle Locations 539-559). Zondervan.
Exactly like the "Word of Faith" cult that is the primary promoter of the "prosperity gospel", Batterson starts encouraging believers to "take a step in faith." This is the same false teaching referred to as "seed faith" by the "name-it-claim-it" group. Biblical "trusting faith" is trusting in God to do the best thing for you whichever way He decides to answer your prayer. It is not "acting as if God were going to grant your prayer in the way you want it to" as if this "voodo" "mind over matter" could fool God into granting that prayer just as you wish Him to. This is completely unbiblical.
Especially, take note of Batterson's false claim: "I can't help but wonder if that act of faith is what sealed the miracle." Your "acting as if God were going to give you your desires" is NOT faith and it does NOT "seal" or "grant" or "cause God to move" in any such way. This is the unbiblical teaching of "seed faith", "faith-ing-it" or "mind over matter" or "mind over God". It is using your "behavior" to "fool God/prompt God" to give you what you want.
Immediately next, Batterson makes the bold declaration: "this I do know: God is honored when we act as if He is going to answer our prayers" This is completely false! First, God ALWAYS answers our prayers. Sometimes it's a "yes", "no", "later" but He ALWAYS answers them. So "acting as if He were going to answer "yes"" as if this little "behavior" were to twist God into answering a "yes" is completely false. Why not act as if God were to answer "no"? Same logic. This is completely unbiblical.
Like the master of deception himself, Batterson then cleverly slips in "we keep hammering away at the dream God has given us" [as the Israelites and Elijah did]. Notice that Israel and Elijah were given commands directly from God. "Our dreams" "wants" "desires" are not something God told us to pursue through a prophet. In fact, they are often worldly and contrary to the desires of God. This is why often God's answers to our prayers is a "no" because our Father knows these "wants" are not for our own good.
The number of passages in this book that teach an unbiblical view of prayer are astounding. This book is entirely "prosperity gospel" masked in low-Calvinism. And even then, the low-Calvinism promoted by Batterson is very tainted with a "man can influence God through clever tricks" theology.
My disclaimer - I received this book from the publisher but I am not required to give a positive review. I always give brutally honest reviews and attempt to critically point out parts of the book that may not agree with the Bible and so not appeal to others. I want you readers to be able to confidently choose a book based on the stars I give it, because I know you have limited money, time and energy to read. So let's make the most of our lives and discern and choose the very best books wisely.
If you disagree with any point in any of my reviews, please in a loving, edifying and respectful manner, write me "as you wish someone would correct you" in detail pointing out exactly what you think I missed. I long to be sharpened. God bless.
March 15, 2013
Author Mark Batterson uses the metaphor of Drawing a Circle to teach several key lessons about prayer: Circling back and praying for the same thing repeatedly, committing to staying in a literal or figurative circle before God to wait for his answers, physically drawing a circle around written prayer requests that still need prayer, etc. While the metaphor is a rich one, and well developed in Batterson's work, I was hoping for more depth in other ways.
I wished for more stories of answered prayer. Having read the 1890's classic Touching Incidents and Remarkable Answers to Prayer several years ago, and having been driven to prayer by its overwhelming flood of story upon story, I was expecting something in the same vein.
Also, as the book is promoted as a 40-Day Prayer Challenge, I was expecting it to be more of a tool. Other than being divided into 40 chapters (one for each day), the book didn't require its reader to use it in any practical ways. It was more of a 40 Days of Chicken Soup for the Prayer Warrior's Soul. To be more functional, additions like questions at the end of each chapter with space to journal, and actual assignments to accomplish each day could have taken the book to the next level.
The material presented in Draw the Circle is good. But the book as it is risks being a feel-good read with little lasting impact. Fact is, I'm a lazy reader. I'll skim. I'll chuckle if something's funny. I'll go "hmmm" if it's deep. But at the end of the day, I'll probably forget most of it, unless I immediately do something with it. Make it "stick to my ribs" by demanding that I apply the material on a daily basis, or you'll probably lose me.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
--Jen
I wished for more stories of answered prayer. Having read the 1890's classic Touching Incidents and Remarkable Answers to Prayer several years ago, and having been driven to prayer by its overwhelming flood of story upon story, I was expecting something in the same vein.
Also, as the book is promoted as a 40-Day Prayer Challenge, I was expecting it to be more of a tool. Other than being divided into 40 chapters (one for each day), the book didn't require its reader to use it in any practical ways. It was more of a 40 Days of Chicken Soup for the Prayer Warrior's Soul. To be more functional, additions like questions at the end of each chapter with space to journal, and actual assignments to accomplish each day could have taken the book to the next level.
The material presented in Draw the Circle is good. But the book as it is risks being a feel-good read with little lasting impact. Fact is, I'm a lazy reader. I'll skim. I'll chuckle if something's funny. I'll go "hmmm" if it's deep. But at the end of the day, I'll probably forget most of it, unless I immediately do something with it. Make it "stick to my ribs" by demanding that I apply the material on a daily basis, or you'll probably lose me.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
--Jen
October 28, 2022
I bought this book because I felt my prayer life had gotten a bit stale and I wanted to kickstart it again. I didn't want yet another book telling me what prayer was or why I should pray. I wanted something that would be hands on and encourage me to get stuck in. This book was just what I needed.
This 40-day challenge is based around Batterson's book 'The Circle Maker'. I haven't read that book, and I'm not sure how much overlap there is with this one. However, I found this book was self-contained and it didn't matter if you hadn't read the previous one. Each of the 40 days has a 5-page chapter, with a topic and verse for that day, a bit of explanation, and inspiring anecdotes. It was a real faith-builder and practical. It's all about getting God's agenda for prayer, rather than our own, and then praying in those promises. That's oversimplifying of course, as there are lots of great ideas, but it's very God-oriented rather than me-oriented.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to deepen their relationship with God and get more out of their prayer life.
This 40-day challenge is based around Batterson's book 'The Circle Maker'. I haven't read that book, and I'm not sure how much overlap there is with this one. However, I found this book was self-contained and it didn't matter if you hadn't read the previous one. Each of the 40 days has a 5-page chapter, with a topic and verse for that day, a bit of explanation, and inspiring anecdotes. It was a real faith-builder and practical. It's all about getting God's agenda for prayer, rather than our own, and then praying in those promises. That's oversimplifying of course, as there are lots of great ideas, but it's very God-oriented rather than me-oriented.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to deepen their relationship with God and get more out of their prayer life.
September 16, 2020
DNF - Although I picked up a helpful tip or two, this book just wasn't for me. Rather than praying for something to happen or something to change. I try to focus my prayers on praise and thanksgiving. My requests are generally for the well being of the people around me. In that, I do not challenge God to make something happen, rather, I pray that God's good and perfect will be done in their lives.
Perhaps my review would be different if I finished it, but this fell by the wayside for me. Maybe I will try again one day.
Perhaps my review would be different if I finished it, but this fell by the wayside for me. Maybe I will try again one day.
October 12, 2015
This book is a good guide to assessing and improving your prayer life. It's set up as a 40-day devotional and could be read over and over to remind you of the power of prayer. If War Room spurred you to improve your prayer life, this is a good way to start.
June 12, 2024
This was the second book I’ve read by Mark Batterson this year. Both books have been very timely, uplifting, & thought provoking. They have helped grow my prayer life by drawing prayer circles. I have other books on my TBR list by him. I look forward to the next time I read one of his books!
May 18, 2021
Such a great read!! It shifted my prayer life forever and for good! Def won't be the last time I read this.
March 10, 2025
Changed the way I prayed and took my faith to another level, excellent book and I would recommend reading it with a partner so you can share your prayers and how God answered them for you.
March 11, 2025
Lots of good nuggets in this book. I went into it with a 40 opportunity approach instead of a challenge, and I think that helped me with consistency. Doing this with an accountability partner is also helpful. That way you can share what you’ve learned as well as what you’ve been praying for. A lot of the disciplines mentioned in the book I had before reading which is why I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
April 10, 2013
In the last month and a half I have read four books by Mark Batterson, and I have read each of the books twice. That speaks to the power of these books. But to be honest, this one might be the most powerful one yet and most likely to change your life and maybe even help to change the world. It all started when a friend recommended reading Praying Circles Around Your Children which was being offered for free in ebook format at the time. I started reading and only really stopped to pray for my kids. Then I got an advanced readers copy of The Circle Maker Student Edition: dream big, pray hard, think long and again I was blown away. Then I read this and the original The Circle Maker at the same time. I was flipping back and forth. Now I know this book is designed to be read over 40 days and used as a tool to spark praying and thinking differently, but I could not put it down. I am now half way through a second time, only reading a day at a time as it was designed.
This book is amazing; it will change your relationship with God, challenge your prayer habits and help shape new patterns for both prayer and devotional time. In the Introduction Mark states "If you want God to do something new in you, you cannot keep doing the same old thing. You have to do something different. And if you do, God will create new capacities within you. There will be new gifts and new revelations. But you've got to pray the price. You'll get out of this what you put into it." Then on day 26 he states: "If you want God to do something new in your life, you cannot keep doing the same old thing. My advice is simple: do something different. And you'll see what a difference it makes!" And again on day 28 "If you want God to do something new, you cannot keep doing the same old thing." This book will help break you from the habit of same old same old. The Psalmist in Psalm 51:12 declares: "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." This book will rekindle your prayer life! Give it a try - you have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain.
"In a moment of revelation, the circle maker realized that praying is planting. Each prayer is like a seed that gets planted in the ground. It disappears for a season, but it eventually bears fruit that blesses future generations. In fact, our prayers bear fruit forever."
So pick up this book and pray through the forty days. Plant new seeds and keep pray hard and thinking long!
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More.
This book is amazing; it will change your relationship with God, challenge your prayer habits and help shape new patterns for both prayer and devotional time. In the Introduction Mark states "If you want God to do something new in you, you cannot keep doing the same old thing. You have to do something different. And if you do, God will create new capacities within you. There will be new gifts and new revelations. But you've got to pray the price. You'll get out of this what you put into it." Then on day 26 he states: "If you want God to do something new in your life, you cannot keep doing the same old thing. My advice is simple: do something different. And you'll see what a difference it makes!" And again on day 28 "If you want God to do something new, you cannot keep doing the same old thing." This book will help break you from the habit of same old same old. The Psalmist in Psalm 51:12 declares: "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." This book will rekindle your prayer life! Give it a try - you have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain.
"In a moment of revelation, the circle maker realized that praying is planting. Each prayer is like a seed that gets planted in the ground. It disappears for a season, but it eventually bears fruit that blesses future generations. In fact, our prayers bear fruit forever."
So pick up this book and pray through the forty days. Plant new seeds and keep pray hard and thinking long!
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More.
October 23, 2024
Fantastic read and prompts to contemplate for prayer
February 4, 2024
I came across this book accidentally and didn’t want to read it as I did some research on the author and the church people he is associated with, such as Christine Caine or Rich Wilkerson known for their endorsement of the prosperity gospel. His church is a charismatic and liberal one, with women preaching from the pulpit, so for these reasons alone I would not recommend reading it at church with the youth group or anything else.
Apart from that, the book isn’t all bad, as I initially thought but there are some aspects that need to be addressed:
- If you’re looking for a 40-days prayer guidance with substantial biblical references, this is NOT your book!
It is mainly a compilation of stories, experiences and anecdotes from various people and the author himself.
- The part that I didn’t like at all, is the author’s tendency to turn descriptive bible passages into prescriptive ones. The biggest one being the circling thing - so because of Joshua & Honi (a story from the Talmud) he takes the idea of circling verses, objects, ideas, buildings etc and pray for them. Sometimes this can be done figuratively while other times he means it literally.
- Many stories revolve around money, which leaves the impression that everyone is just a circle away from getting rich.
- To be fair, he mentions that prayer is not just a way to get wealthy but rather a way to understand what God wants from us. Still, his stories don’t prove his point.
- It can be a little impulse to get people on their knees, who felt that their prayers are in vain. But it surely doesn’t cover the sanctification of one’s soul enough and neither the holy aspects of prayer outlined in the Bible.
Other than that, I liked some of the stories and would not throw this book out the window. There are no visible theological heresies in it, however it does feel like the author hints into the direction of the “name it and claim it” approach and it most definitely lacks spiritual depth. So if you’re not a discerning Christian, compare it carefully to the Bible and don’t get the twisted idea that you could bargain with God by making “crazy” or “bold” moves that should prove your faith.
Apart from that, the book isn’t all bad, as I initially thought but there are some aspects that need to be addressed:
- If you’re looking for a 40-days prayer guidance with substantial biblical references, this is NOT your book!
It is mainly a compilation of stories, experiences and anecdotes from various people and the author himself.
- The part that I didn’t like at all, is the author’s tendency to turn descriptive bible passages into prescriptive ones. The biggest one being the circling thing - so because of Joshua & Honi (a story from the Talmud) he takes the idea of circling verses, objects, ideas, buildings etc and pray for them. Sometimes this can be done figuratively while other times he means it literally.
- Many stories revolve around money, which leaves the impression that everyone is just a circle away from getting rich.
- To be fair, he mentions that prayer is not just a way to get wealthy but rather a way to understand what God wants from us. Still, his stories don’t prove his point.
- It can be a little impulse to get people on their knees, who felt that their prayers are in vain. But it surely doesn’t cover the sanctification of one’s soul enough and neither the holy aspects of prayer outlined in the Bible.
Other than that, I liked some of the stories and would not throw this book out the window. There are no visible theological heresies in it, however it does feel like the author hints into the direction of the “name it and claim it” approach and it most definitely lacks spiritual depth. So if you’re not a discerning Christian, compare it carefully to the Bible and don’t get the twisted idea that you could bargain with God by making “crazy” or “bold” moves that should prove your faith.
February 21, 2022
I think my favorite part of reading this book was reading it with friends and watching how it challenged our prayer lives individually and together. There are a lot of great and inspiring and encouraging stories of God moving in big and small ways through prayer. And that is so important to hear, because I think we can easily forget that God is still answering prayers and still speaking to us. I did find some parts to seem like prayer is a bit transactional. Like if we ask and pray then God has to answer. Mark was also quick to clarify often that if our prayers line up with God's will then he will support us. I do take a little issue with it because we can absolutely be praying God's will and not see the answer we desire. God's answer isn't always our answer. Overall I don't think he is promoting it that way at all, but encouraging us to pray boldly and to continue to pray and pray fervently for the things we desire to see God do. I would recommend reading this book and especially joining with friends so you can circle each other in prayer through the 40 days.
August 12, 2016
This is a series of 40 separate devotionals on focused on the power of prayer. Each chapter is only 4-5 pages in length so can be read quite quickly. However, most of the chapters have much to chew on and so I found myself meditating on many of the chapters throughout the day.
I believe Mark Batterson wants to encourage us to pray more and believe, trusting that God is indeed faithful. Each devotional contains a short story, Biblical references and many wonderful soundbites that are useful for journalling. The chapters don't really build on each other rather address a separate aspect of prayer.
The final devotional is a beauty about the fact the only way to get better at prayer is to keep doing it. It's not meant to easy, just like learning a new language, but there are fruits to be experienced every time we surrender to the Father in prayer.
This is incredibly encouraging and has helped stimulate my prayer life.
Highly recommended.
I believe Mark Batterson wants to encourage us to pray more and believe, trusting that God is indeed faithful. Each devotional contains a short story, Biblical references and many wonderful soundbites that are useful for journalling. The chapters don't really build on each other rather address a separate aspect of prayer.
The final devotional is a beauty about the fact the only way to get better at prayer is to keep doing it. It's not meant to easy, just like learning a new language, but there are fruits to be experienced every time we surrender to the Father in prayer.
This is incredibly encouraging and has helped stimulate my prayer life.
Highly recommended.
April 12, 2018
It is weird to rate your pastor's book, but I'm going to do it anyway:
3.5 stars -- I love the idea of a 40-day prayer challenge; it's just the kind of thing I needed to do during the Lenten season. But like a lot of other reviewers, I was expecting more of a "pray about this topic today," "pray about that topic today," so the structure of the book threw me off a little. But it's not fair to judge a book based on my expectations.
It is definitely encouraging to read stories of God showing up for other people. That aspect of the book, without a doubt, increased my faith. And I found myself praying for things that I wouldn't have thought to pray for otherwise. So, it's definitely a great book in that regard. But the lack of structure didn't really do it for me.
3.5 stars -- I love the idea of a 40-day prayer challenge; it's just the kind of thing I needed to do during the Lenten season. But like a lot of other reviewers, I was expecting more of a "pray about this topic today," "pray about that topic today," so the structure of the book threw me off a little. But it's not fair to judge a book based on my expectations.
It is definitely encouraging to read stories of God showing up for other people. That aspect of the book, without a doubt, increased my faith. And I found myself praying for things that I wouldn't have thought to pray for otherwise. So, it's definitely a great book in that regard. But the lack of structure didn't really do it for me.
March 29, 2019
This book was fantastic. It really stretched my prayer life and challenged me to pray more consistently. Normally, you can pray for something and abandon it after awhile. This book really helps you zeroing, focus, and commit to covering something in prayer with perserverance and sheer determination. It's a Jacob mindset, "I won't let go till you bless me." It will change the dynamics of your prayer life if you stick it through. I still apply these tactics and principles into my prayer life, today, whether individually or corporately.
It will bless you. It's worth every penny! Invest in your prayer life and fight for what you want. Matthew 7:7 all around. Ask, Seek, and Knock!!!! Keep on pressing for it!!!!
It will bless you. It's worth every penny! Invest in your prayer life and fight for what you want. Matthew 7:7 all around. Ask, Seek, and Knock!!!! Keep on pressing for it!!!!
September 29, 2020
I didn’t like this book at all. Though the Author repeats that he is not offering the prosperity gospel, that is exactly what the book is. He uses scripture out of context to get his point across and 90% of the illustrations of praying are for big buildings and lots of money. He talks about a guy named Honi and uses him as an example of a way to pray. This guy is a mythical person in which he basis his whole book on. No where in scripture do you see any type of circling prayer. The only thing I could see that you could benefit from in this book was journaling out your prayers. Otherwise I think it’s a waste of money- unless of course you like slick ways to get a prayer answered and your a fan of Joel Osteen.
December 18, 2019
This devotional is absolutely no joke. The Lord speaks mightily through Mark Batterson! I found myself unable to wait until the next days devotional to continue reading. The truth is, prior to reading this devotional, I realized that I had not really believed that prayer changes anything. I was so, so wrong. As scripture says "You have not because you ask not." I have had such a new reignited passion for prayer and the presence of God, and this book was the catalyst for that. Thank you so much Mark Batterson!
November 13, 2020
I didn’t recall how I felt after reading this in 2018, so I decided to read it again to accompany a fast I was completing. My expectation was to learn to pray and be supported more during the fast. This book ended up feeling more like a daily devotional than a daily prayer guide. There seemed to be a lack of flow between each day. Where I expected, needed daily guidance on how to pray when I feel x, y, or z I was given a historical story. I think this would serve more as a supplement for Bible study than a guide for a prayer challenge.
February 11, 2022
Our church went through this 40-day Prayer Challenge together and it was a great encouragement. Prayer can be a difficult spiritual discipline when you pray faithfully for years for God to move in your life, family, and/or church and you don't see the answers you hoped and prayed for. This book helped ignite the passion for prayer again and reminded me that my prayers will live on long past my life on this earth. God hears and He's working for His kingdom purposes even when I don't see it. The author shares some amazing and miraculous stories that can only be attributed to the power of God.
November 10, 2022
Forty unique, thought provoking, and relevant ways to impact your life, and those around you, through the power of actionable prayer. Drawing on the unlimited potential of a prayer life, driving by purpose and promise, opens ones eyes to a deeper understanding of how immense Christ's love is for us. A book to be reread many times to watch how one will grow in unison with Christ's will for our lives.
April 11, 2024
40 day prayer challenge in 94 days 🤪🤪 okay, so I missed a few days here and there, but in the end the goal of the book was to help stimulate prayer (or that’s how I viewed it anyway). It was nice to have new ideas about how to pray and the author definitely made it fun. I have to say though, sometimes the references really were quite american 😅, but that just made it a little funny for me, definitely not bad
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