“Keep Circling” is the title of the fourth and final section of The Circle Maker. Mark Batterson begins by describing his 15.5-mile hike with a 4,8000-foot ascent to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. The trek seemed next to impossible. But the answer was quite simple: one step at a time.
Pastor Batterson remarks that is how you accomplish any goal. You can climb the highest mountain or obstacle simply by putting one foot in front of the other and persevering until you reach the top. Mark draws a parallel with prayer circles:
“Drawing prayer circles is a lot like climbing a mountain. The dream or promise or miracle may seem impossible, but if you keep circling, anything is possible. With each prayer, there is a small change in elevation. With each prayer, you are one step closer to the answer . . . . The more you have to circle something in prayer, the more satisfying it is spiritually. And, often, the more glory God gets.”
Until recently, Mark wanted God to answer his prayers ASAP. However, easy or quick answers often get taken for granted. Mark encourages us to look for the path of greatest glory (for God), not the path of least resistance. That requires high-degree-of-difficulty prayers, and the persistence to keep circling. Mark concludes: “Maybe we need to change our prayer approach from as soon as possible to as long as it takes. Keep circling!”
Today’s question: When you pray, do you look for the path of least resistance or the path of greatest glory for God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Make no little plans”
