Mark Batterson - The Circle Maker. Dream Big. Pray Hard. Think Long.

K ids danced through the streets like it was the first rainfall theyd ever seen. And it was. Parents threw back their heads and caught every drop they could. When it hasnt rained in more than a year, every raindrop is a gift from God.

It would be forever remembered as the day. The day thunderclaps applauded the Almighty. The day puddle jumping became an act of praise. The day the legend of the circle maker was born.

If you know anything about the history of Israel, you know they hit some tough spots. But the first century BC was one of the worst. An entire generation was on the brink of death because of a drought. The Jewish prophets had been out of commission for hundreds of years. No one could remember a single miracle. And worst of all, God was nowhere to be heard. But there was one man who dared to pray anyway. His name was Honi. And even if the people could no longer hear God, he believed that God could still hear them.

When it rains all the time, you dont give it a passing thought. During a drought, its the only thought. And Honi was their only hope. Like the prophet Elijah before him, Honi was famous for his ability to pray for rain. It was on this day that Honi would earn his reputation.

With a six-foot staff in his hand, Honi began to turn like a math compass. His circular movement was rhythmical and methodical. Ninety degrees. One hundred eighty degrees. Two hundred seventy degrees. Three hundred sixty degrees. He never looked up as the crowd looked on. After what seemed like hours but had only been seconds, Honi stood inside the circle he had shaped with his staff. Then he dropped to his knees and raised his hands to heaven. With the authority of the prophet Elijah, Honi called down rain:

Lord of the universe, I swear before Your great name that I will not leave this circle until You have mercy upon Your children.

Everyone within earshot shivered. And though the words rang clear, the volume of his voice didnt nearly equal the authority of his tone. Not a hint of doubt. This prayer didnt come from his vocal chords it flowed from the depth of his soul. His prayer was resolute yet humble, confident yet meek, expectant yet unassuming.

Then it happened.

As his prayer ascended to the heavens, raindrops descended to the earth. Now thousands of onlookers encircled Honi, and a gasp went through the crowd. All eyes looked to the sky as the first raindrops parachuted down, but Honis head remained bowed. The people jumped for joy over every drop, but Honi wasnt satisfied with a sprinkle. Still kneeling within the circle, Honi lifted his voice over the sounds of celebration:

Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain that will fill cisterns, pits, and caverns.

The sprinkle turned into such a torrential downpour that the heavens roared. Eyewitnesses said every drop was the size of an egg! It rained so heavily and so steadily that the people fled to the Temple Mount to escape flash floods. Honi stayed and prayed in his fading circle. Once more he refined his bold request:

Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain of Your favor, blessing, and graciousness.

Then the perfect rain shower began to calmly cover the dead and thirsty ground, filling the air with a gentle, peaceful mist. Every raindrop was a sign of Gods grace. And they didnt just soak the skin; they soaked the spirit and refreshed the faith of all who were there that day. It was difficult to believe the day before the day. The day after the day, it was impossible not to believe.

Eventually, the dirt turned into mud and back into dirt again. After quenching their thirst, the crowd dispersed. And the rainmaker returned to his humble hovel on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Life did return to normal, but the legend of the circle maker had been born. And it introduced a new normal.

To the people, Honi was celebrated like a hometown hero. After all, he had saved their lives with his prayer. But some within the Sanhedrin complained about the circle maker. They said his prayer was too bold. They believed that drawing a circle and demanding rain dishonored God. Maybe it was those same members of the Sanhedrin who would criticize Jesus for healing a mans shriveled hand on the Sabbath a generation later. They actually threatened Honi with excommunication, but because they could not deny the miracle that had been performed, Honi was ultimately honored for his act of prayerful bravado.

The prayer that saved a generation was deemed one of the most significant prayers in the history of Israel. The circle he drew in the sand became a sacred symbol. And the legend of Honi the circle maker stands forever as a testament to the power of a single prayer to change the course of history.

Draw the Circle

1. What is your first reaction to Honis story?

2. Why do you think God loves big dreams and bold prayers?

3. If one prayer has the power to change the course of history, why do you think we dont pray more?