The Circle Maker

The Circle Maker

Pray Boldly

Last night went to see Mark Batterson speak at the Radiant Church in Richland, MI. Mark is a prolific writer and a great speaker. He wrote one of my favorite books, IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY (How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars). I am excited about reading his new book, The Circle Maker (Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears). Mark’s writing, speaking, and messages are a breath of fresh air. He speaks with softness yet there is a boldness in what Mark says. What else could one expect from an author and preacher facing lions under not so ideal conditions in Washington, D.C.? Here are the nuggets from his powerful talk.

1) Prayers have a genealogy. Our blessings come from prayers from our ancestors. Parents and grandparents die but their prayers continue to live. Prayers can be answered billions of times. How can we argue with miracles?

2) Get on your knees and pray regularly and God will give you regular things irregularly. God can do more for us in a day than we can do in a lifetime. Are you ready for what God wants to do for you?

3) Be obedient to God’s revelations. Prayer is the difference between you fighting and God fighting for you. Are you starting everyday on your knees?

4) Pray in the gaps of each day. Science follows faith. You make the move in faith first and then God will move. What are you doing in the margins of life?

5) It is OK to lose arguments with God. If you win arguments with God, you lose. Stop being a perfect parent, be a praying parent. Are you praying circles around your dreams and your greatest fears?

6) Sometimes we have to risk our reputation to establish God’s reputation. Sometimes God shows up and sometimes God shows off. Are you letting God show off in your behalf?

7) Meet with God first, then God will send you the right persons for you to meet. Pray like your life depends on God and work like your life depends on you. Stop doing God’s job. Is your vision beyond your resources?

Be bold, be blessed and a blessing to others

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx