Interview with Mark Batterson

January 04, 2012 | by Jason Isaacs | Category: Books, Personal Growth,

I recently had a chance to interview Mark Batterson about his new book The Circle Maker, and ask him a few questions. I highly reccomend this book to everyone. I actually finished it last night, and I can't think of a book that has inspired me to pray more, more than this book. If you are interested in buy The Circle Maker you can purchase the Hardcover here and the Kindle here. Also for more information about Mark you can read his blog at www.markbatterson.com and follow him on twitter @markbatterson. For free resources from the book you can go to www.thecirclemaker.com.

1. The Circle Maker is a book about prayer, what compelled you to choose that topic for this book?
I've been so blessed by praying grandparents and parents. Those prayers have outlived them and shaped my life.  I almost feel like I owed it to them to write this book.  On a spiritual and practical level, I happen to believe that nothing is more important than prayer.  Is there anything more powerful than kneeling before Almighty God?  For what it's worth, the disciples didn't ask Jesus to teach them to lead or teach them to preach. They said, "Teach us to pray."  Why?  Because that is what set Jesus apart. He prayed with a familiarity and authority than the disciples wanted to discover.

2. For readers of your previous book, what makes this book different, and for someone that's never read your books, why should they read The Circle Maker?
If you haven't heard of the true legend of Honi the Circle Maker you need to read the book. It'll change the way you pray.  I won't ruin it for readers, but the Sanhedrin honored him for "the prayer that saved a generation." The book builds off of that story and makes a case for the power of a single prayer!

I honestly believe that readers will never pray the same way again.  That's my hope and prayer for this book. And based on early emails and letters, people are praying with more specificity, more intensity, more consistency. They are drawing circles around their children, around their dreams, around their problems.

3. Did you learn anything new about prayer by writing this book? If so what?
I feel like I'm the primary beneficiary, the primary audience of my books.  It's a personal pep talk that I share with the world.  It's what God is doing in my head, in my heart during a given spiritual season.  The toughest thing about putting the last period on the last page are the lessons I've learned since the book went to print.  One of the recent revelations is this: prayer is the difference between you fighting for God and God fighting for you. I wish I could have included that in the book, but the revelation came a little too late!    

4. As an author of a book about prayer, some may consider you an expert, but are there any parts of prayer that you struggle with?
I still feel like many of my prayers are too rote.  It's hard to stay out of a prayer rut.  I've come to terms with the fact that every prayer time won't feel like revival, but I'm confident that every prayer I pray is heard by God. I'm confident that my prayers will outlive me. I'm confident that my prayers will not return void. 

5. What would you say to someone who has lost faith in prayer because of unanswered prayers?
I think that may be the most important part of The Circle Maker. I knew I couldn't write about prayer without dealing with unanswered prayer, and for the record, my prayer batting average is no better than anyone else. I swing and miss all the time!  My hope is that The Circle will help people who have given up because of disappointment the faith to pray again.  For the record, I think someday we'll thank God for unanswered prayers as much as answered one because we prayed them in ignorance and if God had answered it would have undermined His plan for our life!  

6. What would you say to anyone who feels like this book teaches a "name it and claim it" theology?
Read it. I think "name it and claim it" is selfish in nature—getting what we want.  Listen, God is not a genie in a bottle and our wish is NOT His command.  His command better be our wish!  Every prayer has to pass a two-fold litmus test.  1) Is it in the WILL OF GOD?  2) Is it for THE GLORY OF GOD?  If it doesn't pass that two-fold test, forget it.  God won't answer it. 

About the author
Jason is the Teaching Pastor at River City Worship Center in Louisville KY, and owns a web development company Jbirdmedia. He wanted all boys until he had his daughter Sadie and now he wants 4 girls. You can follow him on twitter @jasonisaacs