Circling with God
October 14, 2016Thank you, Susan Weber, for guest blogging for me today! My plane had to circle several minutes the other day before landing in San Antonio and it felt like a necessary waste of time. However, there is no wasting time when we circle around the promises of God in prayer! Thank you for your insights!-Sheryl
More about Susan can be found at the end of the blog.
Last Christmas my husband surprised our children and me by giving each of us a book on prayer. I was surprised because he ordered the books without my knowledge and he usually leaves the gifting to me. We all knew the book was special to him. Yet, despite that knowledge, it took me several months to pick up Mark Batterson’s devotional, Draw the Circle. Since then I’ve read this work twice. I also read The Circle Maker on which the devotional is based. I agree with my husband that these volumes are “words of worth”. They have transformed how I pray.
The book’s premise is that we should circle our concern or request to God in prayer. We also need to think about our request and be sure it is God ordained. We can know that by recognizing if it meets one of God’s promises. Batterson’s gives many examples of prayer circles he has made and the scripture he used to claim those requests. I chose my son’s need for a job as my first prayer circle.
Until December of 2014, Mark was serving the Lord in a campus ministry. He resigned his position so that his wife could pursue her dream to work as an engineer in the field of solar energy. The Lord was leading in this decision. He was amazing in providing a “green” job, closer to family, and for all the concerns in a multi-state move. Mark became a stay-at-home Dad. His family has adjusted to their new home and now his family is ready for him to be employed.
Batterson says we should circle God’s promises. So I searched the Scriptures to see what God says about work. A recent sermon was helpful; the pastor reminded me that God ordained work on the sixth day of creation. Ephesians 2 confirms that we were saved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to perform the good works God ordained for each of us before the beginning of time. Both establish that a job is a good thing. Mark is hoping to find a job that ministers to those who are marginalized. That is the desire of his heart. Psalms reminds us that God is in the business of satisfying the desires of those who fear him.
For four months I’ve been circling Mark’s job daily in prayer. Batterson gives examples of prayer circles that took years to answer and some that were answered quickly. Like most people, I want my request answered immediately. Psalm 143 has been a blessing. David cried out to God for a quick answer to his prayer so that he did not become faint or falter in his trust for God to provide. The Lord sustains me. I have peace that God will provide the job, although it appears not to be on my timetable.
I am still encouraged to boldly ask the Lord for employment for Mark. I don’t know what the job is but I believe it will be a job in ministry and with adequate salary. Matthew 7 reminds us to boldly ask for what we want, because we have a Heavenly Father who is good and will give what is good to those who ask him.
At this time, my prayer request remains unanswered. But I have found joy in the journey. I look forward to each morning when I meet my Lord in prayer and talk with him about Mark’s job and many other concerns He has laid on my heart. I now feel that the Lord and I speak “words of worth” daily.
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7: 7-11
Susan Weber is a wife, mom, grandmother, friend, and retired educator after 30 years of teaching grades 9-12 in Neshaminy School District in Langhorne, PA. Since Sue’s retirement, she and her husband, Jim, have enjoyed traveling with recent trips to the Canadian Atlantic Provinces and Quebec, California, Israel, Italy, Spain, France, Utah’s National Parks and most recently Bolivia, to visit their Compassion children.
Besides travel, Susan fills her days serving on several boards for local community non-profits, including Words of Worth, Hope for Youth, the Neshaminy Education Foundation and Penndel Mental Health Center. She is also active in her church, Grace Point in PA, teaching and serving on the Missions Team. Susan and Jim have a great regard for missions and have traveled to four continents on missions’ trips.
Susan’s hope is to serve the Lord fully during her retirement years. She has been greatly blessed and in turn hopes to bless others.
Her greatest blessing is her family. Susan and Jim are the parents of two sons, and grandparents of six beautiful grandchildren. Both of their sons are involved in full-time Christian ministry.