Review: "The Circle Maker"

I read Mark Batterson’s book, Soul Print, and I enjoyed it, so I welcomed the change to read and review his new book The Circle Maker.

The Circle Maker:  Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears begins with the story of Honi the Circle Maker, a story recounted in the Talmud and other writings.  The story is similar to that of Elijah and how he prayed for rain, except that Honi drew a circle and stepped into it and told God he would not move from it until God made it rain – and really rain – not just a drizzle (9-11).

He recounts the story of Mother Darby who told God if He would provide her husband with a church and a congregation, she would pray every morning at 9 AM, and if God would remove wickedness from her neighborhood, she would fast seventy-two hours a week for two years (31-32).

Batterson assures his readers that “you are only one prayer from a dream fulfilled, a promise kept, or a miracle performed” (13).

I agree with Batterson, God keeps His Promises, and God loves us to ask Him to fulfill His Promises in prayer.  But I began to worry that Batterson was arguing that if we want anything all we need to do is give God an ultimatum.  I was worried that this was a repackaged “name it and claim it.”

Batterson says the first circle is to dream big.  To ask God for things that are beyond our ability to accomplish.  (He weaves the story of his ministry and God’s answer to prayer and provision through the book.)

In chapter five, he gives the example of God’s “gift” of quail to Israel in the wilderness.  (I find it an ironic punishment, not a gift….)

Then he states that “the Almighty is moved by big dreams and bold prayers” (61).  I want to ask Batterson if there are any parameters to this…

The second circle is to pray hard – to be like that persistent widow and not stop praying until you receive what you are praying for (81). 

Batterson assures his readers that all of the promises throughout the Bible “have been transferred to us via Jesus Christ” (92).  All of them???

God, Batterson argues, plays “chicken” with us until we have prayed long enough to satisfy God (and His sadism?) after which He will give us what we are praying for (109).  God will give us whatever we want, if we just pray and work “hard enough” (112).

The third circle is to think long – your prayer may be answered in a later time – even in another generation (133).

(It’s a minor point, but Batterson talks about our guardian angels on page 164, which are not to be found in Scripture.)

Is God Sovereign?  “Destiny is not a mystery.  For better or worse, your destiny is the result of your daily decisions and defining decisions” (168).

In chapter fifteen, Batterson writes about the power of making a goals list.  (I have a goals list, but I don’t believe my failure to achieve a goal is due to my not “catching” God in a prayer circle…)

Batterson repeatedly states that he is not arguing for “name it and claim it.”  I believe he is being honest when he says that, but I don’t know what he is arguing for, then.  The book, as I read it, argues that we can get anything we want if we give God and ultimatum, persist in prayer, and not give up even if it takes years or generations to get what we want.

I am saddened to say I found this a disturbing book.  Despite Batterson’s intent, I would urge you to stay away from this book.  It is confusing at best and unbiblical at worst.

[I received this book free for review from www.theatrechurch.com.]