Praying Circles in the War Room

I originally published this post on an old blog 3 years ago.

On January 1, 2016, I was dreaming of mothering a baby, like I did for many years in a row. 

Today I re-share this post and type this introduction with my laptop precariously perched on my knee while my 8 month old sleeps on my chest (because she's fighting naps today). 

As I read the words I wrote three years ago, I am reminded that even though God doesn't always answer our prayers like we think He will, when He does answer our prayers in a big way, it's awe-inspiring. To God be the glory!

Several years ago I scribbled my hopes onto a post-it note. Tonight as I prayerfully write out my hopes and dreams for 2019, it will be on something much bigger. (And there will be a blog post about it tomorrow, so check back with me! 

Here's my New Year's post from January 1, 2016: 

"A post-it note?” she asked. “You need a poster board!"

I was at book club, where we had finished our discussion of The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, and we were going around the room sharing the dreams we were praying circles around. As I began to share some of mine, I mentioned that my post-it note of prayers must have fallen out of my book at home. A wise woman told me I should trade that post-it note for a poster board for my BIG prayers.

So I did.

I bought a big blue piece of poster board.

Then Mike & I watched the movie “War Room” for the first time and I was reminded that I need to pray specifically and strategically for the things that God has called me to and for the desires He has placed in my heart.

I know that God can answer my prayers before I pray them, but I also know that when I pray specifically and see God answer specifically, that my faith will be strengthened and that He will be glorified.

So as this New Year kicks off, if you’re not getting specific with God, I encourage you to take some time to ask Him what He wants you to pray through in the year ahead. If you need some visual inspiration, I recommend watching the movie War Room. If you have the time, read The Circle Maker for examples of praying circles around the dreams God has given.

If you know me personally, you know that I can look at a lot of circumstances in my life and see the lack in our lives. Mike and I don’t have it all. I’ve experienced more disappointment than I care to think about. (Somewhere around 70 months of trying to get pregnant without ever having a single positive pregnancy test – now THAT is repeated disappointment!)

But God.

God isn’t done with me. He hasn’t spoken a clear “no” over our prayers for a baby and other dreams in our lives. 

So I’m going to kick off 2016 with my blue poster board of prayers, with specific prayer strategies, looking to God, trusting Him in this journey as I read His Word, sing praise to Him, and talk with Him along the way. He is able, and He is worthy.