Most Popular Books by Mark Batterson

Bold Prayers Honor God and God Honors Bold Prayers. With over one million copies sold, New York Times bestseller The Circle Maker is a must-read for experiencing breakthroughs in your prayer life. Do you ever sense that there''s far more to prayer than what you''re experiencing? Are you praying over your impossible dreams and greatest fears? Do you feel like something is holding you back in your prayer life? It''s time you learned from the legend of Honi the Circle Maker. When his land was drought-stricken in ancient times, Honi ha-M''agel drew a circle in the sand, stepped inside it, and wouldn''t budge until God answered his petition for rain. Honi''s story transformed author Mark Batterson''s own experience with prayer and inspired him to document his journey to praying more powerful prayers in The Circle Maker. Sharing inspiring stories from modern-day circle makers as well as his own experiences, Mark imparts the timeless wisdom and encouragement you need to: Discern God''s will for your life Uncover your heart''s hidden desires Pursue God-sized dreams Connect with God in fresh ways Deepen your faith and your relationship with prayer Draw prayer circles around your family, your community, your challenges, and your dreams This updated and expanded edition of The Circle Maker also includes new insights about the ways that God answers prayer along with stories that add convincing proof to the reality that God is able to do exceedingly far greater than all we could ask or imagine. Learn for yourself that drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn''t just a way that we accomplish great things for God--it''s a way that God accomplishes great things in us.

True success doesn’t happen overnight. The New York Times bestselling author of Win the Day reveals a life-changing truth about achievement: God is building you up steadily so you’re ready for overnight success. “How did you go bankrupt?” asked a character in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. The reply? “Two ways . . . gradually then suddenly.” In this illuminating book, Mark Batterson reveals that every area of life—from personal growth to professional development to spiritual transformation—follows this same pattern. What we perceive as sudden success is the result of little decisions compounding over time. Gradually Then Suddenly will help you • cultivate cathedral thinking—adopt a long-term perspective that changes your daily decisions and life trajectory • leverage the compound effect—discover how courageous decisions and consistent routines domino into life-changing results • harness the power of persistence—commit yourself to the long game, and the impossible becomes possible • curate core convictions—discover how to defy peer pressure, popular opinion, and political correctness by defining your deepest convictions Drawing from compelling biblical examples, fascinating historical stories, and hard-won leadership insights, Batterson demonstrates that God uses long obedience in the same direction to prepare us for sudden moments of major progress. For anyone feeling stuck in the “gradually” phase, this book is a beacon of hope. If you do the right things day in and day out, God is going to show up and show off His faithfulness—not just for you but for generations to come.

According to Pastor Mark Batterson in his book, The Circle Maker, “Drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn’t just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for God. It’s a mechanism whereby God accomplishes great things in us.” Do you ever sense that there’s far more to prayer, and to God’s vision for your life, than what you’re experiencing? It’s time you learned from the legend of Honi the Circle Maker—a man bold enough to draw a circle in the sand and not budge from inside it until God answered his prayers for his people. What impossibly big dream is God calling you to draw a prayer circle around? Sharing inspiring stories from his own experiences as a circle maker, Mark Batterson will help you uncover your heart’s deepest desires and God-given dreams and unleash them through the kind of audacious prayer that God delights to answer.

Somewhere along the way, our culture lost its definition of manhood, leaving generations of men and men-to-be confused about their roles, responsibilities, relationships, and the reason God made them men. It''s into this "no man''s land" that New York Times bestselling author Mark Batterson declares his mantra for manhood: play the man. In this inspiring call to something greater, he helps men understand what it means to be a man of God by unveiling seven virtues of manhood. Mark shares inspiring stories of manhood, including the true story of the hero and martyr Polycarp, who first heard the voice from heaven say, "Play the man." Mark couples those stories with practical ideas about how to disciple the next generation of men. This is more than a book; it''s a movement of men who will settle for nothing less than fulfilling their highest calling to be the man and the father God has destined them to be. Play the man. Make the man.

This full-color, giftable book from Mark Batterson (Whisper, In the Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day) contains inspiring quotes from his New York Times bestselling The Circle Maker paired with vibrant, full-page photography that together encourage you to dream big, pray hard, and embrace your God-given desires. What impossibly big dream has God given you? We all have future hopes planted in our hearts, but making those dreams a reality can feel difficult in today’s world. The good news is that God delights in hearing your biggest, boldest prayers and requests, and Praying Circles Around Your Future will help you see how God shows up in your life when you simply ask. Inside this book are important, inspirational quotes and short passages from Mark Batterson’s The Circle Maker presented alongside beautiful large-scale photography, providing motivation, encouragement, and wisdom as you move forward toward your heart’s desires and discover how to approach God boldly in prayer. Praying Circles Around Your Future: contains over 120 pages of inspiring images and text can be used as daily encouragement in your faith journey makes a great graduation gift or present for anyone exploring a new phase of their life has full-page images and spreads

The New York Times bestselling author of Win the Day reminds us of the millions of miracles God performs every day and inspires us to live with a clearer sense of identity and purpose. Think you’ve never experienced a miracle? With all due respect, you have never not. In fact, you are one! There never has been—and there never will be—anyone else like you. That isn’t a testament to you. It’s a testament to the God who created you. Your fingerprint, eyeprint, and voiceprint are unlike anyone else’s. Simply put, you matter to God. Most of us take everyday miracles for granted, including the one that stares back at us in the mirror. It’s time to take them for gratitude. Why is that so important? Because whatever you don’t turn into praise turns into pride. The miracle of life becomes mundane. We get so wrapped up in our own little world, we end up worshipping a god who looks like us, acts like us, and thinks like us. It’s no wonder we’ve lost our wonder. But there is a way to recapture holy curiosity! In A Million Little Miracles, New York Times bestselling author Mark Batterson reveals three miraculous truths that awaken us to the Creator and His creation: 1. God Is Bigger Than We Think—we can rest in His wisdom and strength 2. God Is Closer Than We Realize—we never have to do life alone 3. God Is Better Than We Imagine—we can reclaim our childlike wonder A million little miracles are waiting to be discovered, including the miracle called you.

ECPA BESTSELLER • Strengthen your spiritual, mental, and emotional health and reach your most audacious goals with three simple but power-packed words—from the New York Times bestselling author of Win the Day. “A practical framework to be the kind of thoughtful, helpful force for good you always wanted to be.”—Carey Nieuwhof, founder of the Art of Leadership Academy The best predictor of success in life, in love, and in leadership is your proficiency at please, sorry, and thanks. Those three words are the foundation of all healthy relationships and successful careers. Those three words are the only ceiling on achieving your dreams. Those three words will determine how happy you are. With his trademark blend of personal stories, scientific and historical references, and biblical insight, Pastor Mark Batterson shows how you can change your world with your words: • A timely please can help you unlock the rule of reciprocity for greater results, discover the power of “we is greater than me,” and honor others above yourself. • A sincere sorry can lead you to mend broken relationships, strengthen connections through being radically vulnerable, and better understand the degrees of forgiveness. • A heartfelt thanks paves the way toward a resilient mindset of gratitude and an expectancy to see God move on your behalf. Whether you’re launching out into a new phase of life or navigating long-established complexities, it''s time to harness the power of those three transformative words and let them propel you wherever God leads you to go.

According to Pastor Mark Batterson in his book, The Circle Maker, ''Drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn''t just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for God. It''s a mechanism whereby God accomplishes great things in us.'' Do you ever sense that there''s far more to prayer, and to God''s vision for your life, than what you''re experiencing? It''s time you learned from the legend of Honi the Circle Maker---a man bold enough to draw a circle in the sand and not budge from inside it until God answered his prayers for his people. What impossibly big dream is God calling you to draw a prayer circle around? In this powerful booklet, excerpted from THE CIRCLE MAKER, Batterson helps you uncover your heart''s deepest desires and God-given dreams and unleash them through the kind of audacious prayer that God delights to answer.

Transform Your If Only Regrets into What If Possibilities If is a powerful little word. Some people are stuck in "if only," trudging through lives marked with regret. But God wants us to live lives marked with possibilities, with the "what if" attitude that looks forward to the future with confidence. Why? Because the answer to "If God is for us, who can be against us?" is "No one." God is always on our side. Every day, in every way. With his trademark enthusiasm and contagious joy, Mark Batterson helps readers overcome feelings of guilt, fear, and doubt, because in Christ there is no condemnation. Unpacking the promises of Romans 8, he shows readers that they are more than conquerors--right now and forever. And because of that, the possibilities for their lives are limitless. Christians from all walks of life will find themselves set free by this inspiring and entertaining read. Now in paper.

Through engaging rhyme, pastor and bestselling author Mark Batterson and his daughter encourage young children to discover the joys of both counting their blessings and being a blessing to others. Count your blessings two by two— and bless the world with the blessing of YOU! God’s blessings can be found all around us, and even young children can learn to see and appreciate these gifts—from the smell of freshly baked cookies to the joy of climbing a tree! But God doesn’t just intend for us to receive blessings; He also wants us to bless others. With whimsical rhyme and delightful illustrations, The Blessing of You helps young children recognize signs of God’s generosity and goodness in their everyday lives and encourages them to pass on those blessings by being their own wonderful, God-created selves.

In this study guide that complements Mark Batterson''s Gradually, Then Suddenly, the New York Times bestselling author of Win the Day helps readers discover and a life-changing truth about achievement: God is building you up steadily so you''re ready for overnight success. This comprehensive study guide explores the biblical patterns of how God works in seasons and stages. Through powerful case studies from Scripture and contemporary examples, Batterson illuminates how breakthrough moments are often preceded by extended periods of preparation and perseverance. Readers will learn to recognize and embrace both phases—the patient endurance of "gradually" and the exciting fulfillment of "suddenly." This compelling, author-curated study guide includes: Scripture readings that illuminate God''s principles of persistence and breakthrough Reflection questions that help readers identify areas where they need to develop staying power "Cathedral thinking" exercises that foster long-term vision and perspective Practical applications to transform daily choices into compound growth Perfect for individual study or small group discussion, the Gradually, Then Suddenly Study Guide provides the tools to cultivate the grit and faithfulness needed to experience God''s breakthrough moments.

Over 100,000 copies sold! Quit playing it safe and start running toward the roar! When the image of a man-eating beast travels through the optic nerve and into the visual cortex, the brain sends the body a simple but urgent message: run away! That’s what normal people do, but not lion chasers. Rather than seeing a five-hundred-pound problem, they see an opportunity for God to show up and show His power. Chase the Lion is more than a catch phrase; it’s a radically different approach to life. It’s only when we stop fearing failure that we can fully seize opportunity by the mane. With grit and gusto, New York Times best-selling author Mark Batterson delivers a bold message to everyone with a big dream. This is a wake-up call to stop living as if the purpose of life was to simply arrive safely at death. Our dreams should scare us. They should be so big that without God they would be impossible to achieve. Quit running away from what you’re afraid of. Chase the lion! Change the world! What is your five-hundred-pound dream? In this highly anticipated sequel to his best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Mark Batterson invites lion chasers everywhere to chase dreams so impossible that victory demands we face our fears, defy the odds, and hold tight to God. These are the kind of dreams that will make you a bigger person and the world a better place. Based upon 2 Samuel 23, Chase the Lion tells the true story of an ancient warrior named Benaiah who chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day—and then killed it. For most people, that situation wouldn’t just be a problem…it would be the last problem they ever faced. For Benaiah, it was an opportunity to step into his destiny. After defeating the lion, he landed his dream job as King David’s bodyguard and eventually became commander-in-chief of Israel’s army under King Solomon. Written in a way that both challenges and encourages, this revolutionary book will help unleash the faith and courage you need to identify, chase, and catch the five-hundred-pound dreams in your life.

If is a powerful little word. This short book inspires readers to grasp that power for themselves and embrace God''s extraordinary possibilities for their lives.

The bestselling author of Circle Maker, which helped over 2 million people learn to talk to God, now helps readers learn how to listen to God''s voice in every aspect of their lives.

Your 40-day guide to experiencing more passionate, persistent, intimate communication with God. Do you pray as often and as bravely as you want to? Are you looking to strengthen your relationship with God and experience a deeper, more intentional prayer life? Mark Batterson, New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker, is here to teach you all about a new, life-changing way to pray. After the release of The Circle Maker, thousands of readers quickly became many tens of thousands, and soon enough, true stories of miraculous and inspiring answers to prayer began to pour in. Draw the Circle shares these inspiring testimonies and combines them with timely scriptures and daily prayer prompts designed to stir you to pray like never before. Through these moving stories and encouraging devotionals, you''ll learn all about: The life-changing power of intentional prayer Why prayer is such a crucial aspect of your relationship with God How to start applying the principles of The Circle Maker in your everyday life How to stay humble, patient, and focused as you start your 40-day journey Building prayer habits that will support your faith for a lifetime There''s a way for all of us to experience a deeper, more passionate, persistent, and intimate prayer life. Batterson invites you to begin a lifetime of watching God work, believe in the God who can do all things, and experience the power of bold prayer and even bolder faith. Let Draw the Circle be the first forty days on your way to a lifetime of watching God work and believing in the God who can do all things.

God doesn''t bless us to raise our standard of living. God blesses us to raise our standard of giving, and that''s where true joy is found. The New York Times bestselling author of Chase the Lion challenges us not to settle for half of what God offers when it comes to blessings—we are BLESSED to BLESS. His discovery started with a simple experiment. Whenever Batterson received a blessing, he would give a similar blessing away. If someone paid him a compliment or gave him a gift or went out of their way to help him, he would return the favor by doing something similar for someone else. We flip the blessing by blessing others in the way God has blessed us. That’s how the blessing becomes a double blessing. It turns giving into a game—one we can’t win because God will always outgive us! It’s an ancient truth found within the Abrahamic covenant: “I will bless you . . . and you will be a blessing.” In other words, we are blessed to bless. The first blessing is receiving, but it doesn’t end there. The second blessing is giving it away! That’s the double blessing. And that’s where double joy is found. In a day and age where the idea of blessing has been reduced to a hashtag (#blessed), Batterson challenges readers to pursue true, God-glorifying blessing and experience an exponential impact by participating in the double blessing. Don’t settle for half of what God offers. Discover how you can both get it and give it . . . in Double Blessing.

Christians who want to take the next step in their faith walk need look no further. It''s time to ante up and go all in with God. The Gospel costs nothing. You can''t earn it or buy it. It can only be received as a free gift, which is compliments of God''s grace. It doesn''t cost anything, but it demands everything. It demands that we go "all in," putting all that we have into God''s hands. But why do so many Christians hesitate to do that? And when did we start believing that the Gospel is an insurance plan? We''re afraid that if we go all in that we might miss out on what life has to offer. But Jesus did not die to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous. So, let''s step out of spiritual no man''s land and kneel at the foot of the cross of Christ and surrender to his lordship. It''s time to dethrone yourself and enthrone Christ as king, and Pastor Mark Batterson is here to show you how. Using his customary vivid, contemporary illustrations, as well as biblical characters like Shamgar, Elisha, Jonathan, and even Judas, you will be challenged to trade what Batterson calls "inverted Christianity" for true discipleship as you strip away your excuses and inhibitions and follow God completely. It''s now or never. Are you ready to go all in and all out for God? Also available: All In student edition, video curriculum, and study guide.

In this companion study guide to Mark Batterson’s A Million Little Miracles, the New York Times bestselling author of Win the Day helps us take note of the many ways God is constantly moving in our midst, revealing his greatness, and reminding us of his goodness. Never experienced a miracle? You have never not. In fact, you are one! You have never gone a day without a miracle, and you never will. Are you taking miracles for granted, or are you taking them for gratitude? The answer to that question is the difference between the mundane and the miraculous. In A Million Little Miracles Study Guide, New York Times bestselling author Mark Batterson helps awaken you to life’s everyday miracles, and more importantly, the God of miracles. You’ll rediscover the God who is bigger than big, closer than close, and gooder than good. You can explore the big ideas of each chapter through a four-step process: 1. Start with a Miracle—focus on how the miraculous points us to God 2. Study the Words—dig deeper into the core themes of each chapter 3. Study God’s Word—unpack key ideas through related verses and questions 4. Carpe Wonder—recapture childlike wonder and apply the content to your everyday life Ideal for small groups or personal study, this nine-session participant guide based on Mark Batterson’s book will cultivate a holy curiosity for the millions of little miracles hiding in plain sight.

Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect. “Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something…. Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” --from the introduction