The hardest thing about praying hard is enduring unanswered prayers. If you don’t guard your heart, unresolved anger toward God can undermine your faith. Sometimes your only option is to trust because it is the last card in your hand, but it’s the wild card. . . .By definition, praying hard is praying when it’s hard to pray.” (excerpt from The Circle Maker, by Mark Batterson)
Confession: I stayed away from this book (The Circle Maker) for a few years because I don’t run to the latest “fix” our society has to offer whether it’s for health or wealth or even something spiritual like how to have your prayers answered.
I’ve lived long enough and experienced disappointment in prayer enough to know that there is no magical formula to answered prayer.
I’ve been disillusioned with faith and prayer.
Unable to listen to Christian radio.
Unable to pray.
I’ve questioned whether I could really hear God when prayer answers went South rather than the direction I believed God had promised me.
I’ve been angry.
Confused.
Dejected.
And did I mention, angry?
Until.
I got tired of it.
In The Circle Maker, Batterson encourages us to trust God when prayers go unanswered. But I need to add to his endorsement.
I couldn’t trust God until I came back to what kind of God He is. . .
A GOOD one.
I had to stand on His goodness.
When I surrendered the fight, and placed my faith in His GOODNESS rather than His answer, the anger dissipated. The faith was restored. My wound was seared. It no longer oozed and bled. Sadness still held me, but the anger no longer controlled me, and I was able to pray again.
A few months ago as I perused our local Christian bookstore, a tug in my spirit urged me to purchase The Circle Maker. I was glad I did.
[tweetability]If you need a shot a faith, if your prayers are small because you’re just too weary to pray big anymore,[/tweetability] I hope you’ll enter my giveaway to win The Circle Maker. I’m giving away two copies.
I believe you will be encouraged. And that’s what this blog is all about.
How to enter the Giveaway:
- Leave a comment below. (one entry)
How to increase your odds to win:
- Subscribe to this site–the subscribe box is in the bottom left corner. (another entry)
- “Like” our Facebook Fellowship page. (another entry)
- Invite a friend or two or three to subscribe to this site. (another entry per friend invited.)–Just leave a comment or e-mail me who you invited! e-mail: wordsbyandylee (at) gmail (dot) com.
One last thought and a prayer:
[tweetability]Don’t forget that we’re in a battle. Our enemy doesn’t want us to pray.[/tweetability]
Grab my hand.
“Dear Jesus, strengthen our resolve, our faith, our petitions. Make us mighty warriors in prayer. Help us trust your goodness, kindness, and faithfulness. And don’t let us quit. May our prayers bring heaven to earth. Amen.”
Jesus loves you,
[…] the winners of The Circle Maker are. . . .(I decided to give away […]
Yaaayy! I won! What an unexpected and sweet surprise for my Monday morning! Thank you so much Andy Lee! God is telling me to suit up and get back in the battle and fight! Sending you my address. Thank you again! :) <3
Yaaaayyyy!! Be encouraged my Debbie Willsey! Happy Monday! I’ll send it soon.
I have been in a prayer slump, so weary from being a caregiver to my chronically ill husband. Thanks for your post, Andy.
so excited for all of the dreams coming to fruition for you Andy! And I’ve wanted this book for a while:)
I love your posts and look forward to receiving them. I certainly have been there with prayer especially when my 11 year old daughter was dying of brain cancer. The amazing thing about that time was how God continued to send into my life the very people, books, and prayer covering through others that I found blessings and his presence as a constance during that dark time.
Oh Donna! You could probably teach us about prayer. I’m so sorry for the pain you’ve gone through. He is faithful isn’t He? Even in the pain. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your encouraging words. You’re entered twice. Thanks for subscribing to my blog. :)
Oh Andy,
God is really speaking to me about my prayer life this week. Yesterday, one of the post in my link up was about being a prayer warrior. Your blog today. Think I better listen.
Bonnie
You’re not alone, Bonnie! He’s talking to all of us about it! Go see War Room! I’ve got you entered. :)
I love this post Andy. I never bought this book myself because I felt also like it was the latest trend. But honestly, my prayer life has lost its fire and determined focus. After seeing the movie War Room last night, and reading this post, how can I ignore God calling me back…back to the prayer warrior I once was…that I long to be. I would love to be entered. Thank you. :)
Hey Debbie! I’m right there with you. I saw the movie War Room last night and felt the same way! It was so encouraging and stirring. I’ve got you entered into the giveaway! Go girl. Get that prayer on!
Hi Andy…I love reading your many words of encouragement. The area of faith is one that I’ve been challenged in and am growing in…I’m learning to step out more and trust God to fulfill His greater purposes…so much bigger than anything I could dream up. The Circle Maker book has caught my eye several times too, although I have not yet read it. :-)
Hey Andrea! Thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet words about the blog! I think this faith thing is a challenge for all of us as long as we are in this skin, but I’m so thankful for books like this one! I’m entering you into the giveaway twice! Thanks for subscribing to the blog!
Love your blog so much. This book looks super interesting. I struggle with this too!
Thanks Jana!I love your blog too. You’re such a gifted writer, girl! Thanks for dropping by. You’re entered!
Thank you Andy. This was “on time” for me this morning. I am weary and my faith is tested, but I’m hanging on (sometimes by a thread) to the absolute truth that God is Good. “Placing my faith in His Goodness and not in the answer.” It makes all the difference.
Hey Alicia! Keep holding on. I will be praying for you. He is Good. I’m entering you into the giveaway! Blessings
Thanks Andy for being so real! I don’t know anyone who hasn’t struggled with unanswered prayer, including the great men & women of Faith in the Bible. I had to come to the same place–basing my faith on the character of God and giving up the need to “understand” how God works and why.
Hey Sandy! That is so encouraging to know you’ve struggled too–you are a mighty prayer warrior. I’ve entered you!
Thanks for the prayer an words of encouragement.. Many blessings to you. I really enjoy reading your post
Thanks Mabel! So glad you stopped by and entered the Giveaway! Blessings!