At Zion Family Ministries, we have prayer on Monday nights starting at 7:00 P.M. You are welcome to join us. We pray individually for about 40 minutes then gather to share anything God showed us during our praying time. Last Monday, I started my time with God, as I usually do, circling the sanctuary three times as I pray for our church. On this night, I was brought to the thought of a circle which opened up several ideas of circles both in history, in the Bible and in our lives. Let’s look at these.

My friend and neighbor, Pastor Danny Smith, introduced me to the book, “The Circle Maker” by Mark Batterson which tells the story of a Jewish scholar, Honi, who was living in Israel when there was a drought. He drew a circle, stood in it and prayed to God for rain and that he would not leave that circle until it rained. He persisted in his circle and, in time, it rained. Batterson’s point was that we can circle our needs in prayer and believe God for the answer. Circle them physically with prayer or virtually in prayer.

I remember, as a kid, watching movies or TV shows where a group of settlers were traveling west in a wagon train and would face an eminent attack from Indians. To prepare for battle and to protect their cattle and belongings, they would “circle the wagons”. Then they could better do battle and preserve their lives and possessions. We need to circle up.

I Joshua 6:3, as God’s people came to the fortified city of Jericho, He tells them, “And ye shall compass, (circle), the city, all ye men of war, and go round, (circle), about the city once.” It sounded like something strange for them to do but, since God said it, they did it. And their marching around the city was accompanied with loud praise and worship. When they completed their last circle with a loud shout, the walls of Jericho fell down flat! Is there something you need? Circle it with prayer, praise and worship.

Several years ago, I posted a revelation from God on my blog about a “circle of prayer”. You can read the entire post HERE. The vision was of different churches in a large field circled and praying for needs in their church. One group heard the needs of the circle beside them and asked if they could join circles and pray together. They did and it multiplied until all the churches were joined, hand in hand, in a large circle around the whole field praying. The devil and his demons saw this, knew they were in trouble and left the area. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) There is power in unity!

I was also reminded once of the possible influence I may have on certain people. God showed me this was my “circle of influence”. Those in my family, friends, co-workers and others who could be influenced by my words, my actions and my life. We all have this circle and we can have an influence on them, either positive or negative. I also realized that there are people who are not in our circle but may be outside looking in. That can be an influence as well. How we act in public, a kindness we show to someone or even a smile can be an influence. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

And finally, as I was writing this, I was reminded of the praise song, “Surrounded” by Michael W. Smith which has the lyric, “It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You.” God is always with us and surrounds, circles, us with His love, mercy, grace blessings and protection. “God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.” (Psalm 34:7). We are in His circle, rest easy.