The Circle Maker

In an interview with Mark Batterson, he explains the source of the title of his new book, The Circle Maker: "I love metaphors; I think they're one key to preaching and writing. So I always look for an organizing metaphor at the beginning of a message—and of course, that's the genius of the parables. The Circle Maker is a wonderful, true legend I found reading through the Talmud, and preachers are going to love this story.

"In the first century B.C., there was a drought in Israel that threatened to destroy that generation. It's the inter-testamental period; the prophets had died off 400 years prior, and miracles weren't happening; but there was one man who was famous for praying for rain. His name was Honi the Circle Maker, and let me tell you how he got the name."When the Israelites asked him to pray for rain, he did something curious. He used his staff and drew a circle in the sand, then he knelt in that circle and he prayed, 'Sovereign Lord, I swear before Your great name that I will not leave this circle until You send rain.' And it began to sprinkle.

"Now here's the cool thing, Honi wasn't satisfied. He said, 'Not for such rain have I prayed, but for the rain that will fill pits and caverns and cisterns.' Then it starts raining so hard there is a flash flood and people have to flee up to the temple mount. So he's still in his circle and again he says, 'Not for such rain have I prayed, but for the rain of Your blessing and favor and graciousness.' And it starts to rain in perfect moderation.

"Well, that's prayer! The Sanhedrin threatened to excommunicate him because they thought it was too bold—as if you can't draw a circle and demand something from God. Finally, some saner minds prevailed and Honi ultimately was honored for a prayer they said saved a generation.

"The basic idea is: God honors bold prayers because bold prayers honor God. He loves it when we ask Him to do things we can't possibly do ourselves. I believe that's the way God gets the glory."