Dani Rotramel 
This summer I read a captivating and inspiring book called The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. As I have gone back and reviewed my highlights of this book and the treasures I have gleaned, I realized these treasures might also bless and encourage you. I highly recommend your purchase and reading of the entire book as I will only be able to share a small portion of the treasures there. I ordered mine through Amazon.
The Circle Maker book was inspired by the first century BC story of one eccentric sage living outside the walls of Jerusalem, Devastating drought was threatening to destroy the generation of people before Jesus. Miracles at that time had become a distant memory. No one seemed to be able to hear God anymore. Honi dared to pray for rain.
Honi the Circle-Maker, with a six-foot staff used like a compass, began turning to create a circle around him. He dropped to his knees and raised his hands to heaven. With confident authority, he began to pray.
“Lord of the universe. I swear before Your great name that I will not move from this circle until You have shown mercy upon Your children.”
Rain began falling drop by drop. The people were rejoicing over every drop. Honi was not satisfied with a sprinkle. He said, “Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain that will fill cisterns, pits, and caverns.”
It began to rain with violence with no raindrop smaller than an egg in size..
He said, “Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain of Your favor, blessing, and graciousness.”
Then it began to rain peacefully and calmly . Each little raindrop represented a token of God’s grace.
This prayer that saved a generation was noted as 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.” ~ Mark Batterson
