Smelling Circles Around Prayer

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I have a confession to make.  As much as I love reading books, I rarely buy books. As a blogger, my reviews are greatly appreciated and most of the books I read, I get for free. (Yes, I’m frugal- mom to 7, remember? 🙂 )

I first heard of the book, The Circle Maker, back in February, and the person recommending it knows books.  I had no idea that the book had been on New York Times’ Bestseller List and honestly, I didn’t know much about Mark Batterson.  So I tried to forget about it.

Only God wouldn’t let me forget about the book. Another person, completely unrelated to the first, mentioned it to me.  Then I came across a blog post that mentioned The Circle Maker and how life-changing it was.  Then I was at a conference and not only was the book present, but one of the women in my speakers’ group mentioned the book in her testimony… I think you are getting the picture. God wouldn’t let me get away from this book.

So I made a special trip to the store and bought the book. (You have to understand, I really  dislike shopping.)

Then I started reading it and couldn’t put it down. As mentioned by the original person who recommended the book, I truly found it to be one of the best books on prayer I’d ever read.

Several weeks ago, I finished reading it and it had challenged me to no end.  You see, in the spring, I had written “The Sensational Scent of Prayer” and after studying the life of Hannah, two short chapters in the Bible, prayer had become such a priority to me.  To be challenged in new ways was a glorious blessing!

However, as a writer, I grew a bit paranoid about my own book, The Sensational Scent of Prayer.  Honestly, for about a day, I was thinking:

“Who is going to want to read about some mom whose prayers were answered through diapers being delivered to her door?  Especially when this incredibly Godly pastor has written a book about praying for millions of dollars on multiple occasions and God providing the millions and beyond?  I mean what’s a few diapers compared to millions of dollars?”

And Satan continued to try to beat me up because the less confident I felt in the power of prayer, the happier he would be.

Only the Holy Spirit intervened.  And whispered to my heart:

Child of Mine, Do not miss the point of The Circle Maker.  The dollar value assigned to the material goods of God’s provision is totally null and void.  Yes, HUGE things happen when you trust Me; you’ve experienced that, more than diapers.  But focus on the goodness of the God who made the provision.  He is The One who cares enough to send diapers your way because HE answers prayers.

The cool thing I discovered after thinking about this concept?

God cares just as much about providing diapers for a worrying mama who really wanted to trust Him…

as He does about an entire church praying for property and millions of dollars to minister in their community.

Last week, over 12,000 people downloaded their free copy of The Sensational Scent of Prayer. Yes, 12,000!!!  I prayed to be used of God to reach others and God answered that prayer.

And I think He wanted me to tell you my diaper story because He wanted you to know that no matter what you are praying for,

no matter the size of the miracle,

no matter the dollar value,

or the wildness of your request…

when your heart is in tune with His, He loves to hear and answer your prayers.

 What answer to prayer can you praise God for today? I’d love to read them in the comments!