What your marriage will become is determined by how you pray. This book empowers you to dream big, pray hard, and think long--together.
Marriage is your most sacred relationship on this earth, and prayer is the single most powerful way to transform it. It's time to learn the relational truths in the legend of Honi the Circle Maker--a man bold enough to draw a circle in the sand and not leave it until God answered his impossible prayer. The commitment made in the sacred circle of marriage requires the same kind of boldness and resolve as the Circle Maker. Honi's prayer saved a generation, and your prayers can transform your relationship.
Praying Circles around Your Marriage draws from the life-changing principles Mark Batterson outlines in his New York Times bestseller The Circle Maker. Joined by Pastor Joel and Nina Schmidgall who serve with Mark at National Community Church, the authors draw from personal stories, Scripture, and practical insight. You'll discover seven key prayer circles for your Vision Circle, Romance Circle, War Circle, Dance Circle, Support Circle, Storm Circle, and Legacy Circle. Through these circles you
Discover your shared vision and find a new combined purpose togetherTurn the tables on conflict and access the gift of being knownBe a student of your spouse and ensure a connected and intimate relationshipBuild a foundation for your marriage that will help you weather the trials that are sure to comeLearn to draw a larger circle around your marriage so that your unified purpose can be a blessing to othersBold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers. Praying Circles around Your Marriage will empower you and your spouse to identify your greatest dreams for the most important relationship in your life, and pray the kind of audacious prayers in which God finds delight.
After all, your life together has a legacy to leave for future generations. It's time to start circling.
I was excited to be invited to help launch this new book by Joel and Nina Schmidgall (with Mark Batterson) PRAYING CIRCLES AROUND YOUR MARRIAGE. I have read several of Mark Batterson's books and like his writing style and voice and I generally come away blessed and maybe more mature as a Christian as a result. With Mark Batterson is the key word here. I didn't see Batterson's voice in this book at all. I recognize that both Joel and Nina Schmidgall are marriage counselors and they know their stuff. There is a lot of thought, detail, traditions (and the reason behind it which I never knew) which is fascinating, a lot of scripture references and verses to read and ponder as well as prayer prompts and action prompts. As a woman married to the same man for over thirty years I felt that the authors overthought things but since they are writing to a different intended audience than me, maybe not. There is a lot of fascinating information, a lot of attention to detail, and a lot of stuff that I would need to slow down and read and reread, maybe prayerfully, if I were going into this with the purpose of saving my marriage or revitalizing my marriage or something other than reading for review. This is not a nonfiction book you read for pleasure, one that feels like you are chatting with an old friend. You are not. This is a book by professionals and the professional voice comes out full-fledged. They are not old friends, you are not sharing coffee with them and having a nice conversation. They are teaching, sharing their knowledge, educating .... So with that in mind, prepare to work through this book slowly. Not a chapter at a time but maybe a segment at a time. Take notes. Pray through it. Talk to your spouse. Take time to follow suggestions and ask questions. Learn. Listen. Then launch what you learned. While this book is not what I expected it is something that many couples need. I sincerely hope it will help fill a void in the marriage-help books and help you to prayerfully work together to merge, align, and cement your marriages into God's plan, not two people working against each other and somehow hoping to survive. If you need to do something to revitalize your marriage, work out problems, draw together as partners, then read PRAYING CIRCLES AROUND YOUR MARRIAGE. Great for counselors, pastors (I could see my pastor husband using this as a marriage counseling tool), young married Sunday School teachers, and small groups as well as individual use by husband and wife I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.
Some books offer advice about marriage, others about prayer.
Praying Circles Around Your Marriage offers advice about both, under the assumption that couples who pray together stay together.“The richness of your marriage will be determined by how frequently and how fervently God is invited into your relationship,” write Joel and Nina Schmidgall. “Prayer will draw you into unity with God and, as a result, with one another.”
The concept of “praying circles around _____” comes from Mark Batterson’s excellent book, The Circle Maker. The Schmidgalls are in-laws of Batterson and work with him at National Community Church in Washington, D.C., Joel as executive pastor and Nina as direct of family ministry. Their book is an excellent addition to the “Circle Maker” brand.
The Schmidgalls identify seven areas (or “circles”) of marriage that couples need to address prayerfully:
developing a shared purpose (Vision Circle), resolving family conflicts (War Circle), cultivating personal intimacy (Romance Circle), balancing marital unity with individual interests (Dance Circle), establishing a peer network (Support Circle), responding to unexpected crises (Storm Circle), and impacting future generations (Legacy Circle).
“Of course, the purpose of prayer is not to get what we want from God for our marriage,” the Schmidgalls write in conclusion. “Its purpose is to commune with God and gain His heart for our marriage.”
Praying Circles Around Your Marriage offers Bible-based, common-sense, experience-tested advice about prayer-filled marriages. It’s suitable for private reading but can also be used in premarital and marriage counseling, as well as in book clubs and small groups.
Book Reviewed Joel and Nina Schmidgall, Praying Circles Around Your Marriage (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2019).
I've been trying to incorporate books on marriage into a regular rotation, covering several year, for awhile now. It dawned on me to ask Scott if he'd read one with me, actually a different one each month. This was our first one, and it was a great start. I read their other circle book years ago and remember it being great, so I knew this wouldn't be bad. I love how they both shared overlapping perspectives and input. I jotted down notes along the way, but a few things I'll take away are -- Ask God for a holy curiosity about your spouse. In truth - we don't even know our own hearts fully, how can we assume to know another's. We change and grow, we ebb and flow and this demands an intentional, ongoing, investment. The studying of your spouse's heart is not a class you graduate from. It's an ongoing education. Also - to bring your spouse's name before God IS love. To do it often, regularly and specifically is a love language.
Holy curiosity, inspired creativity, so much of what makes us human can be so hard to understand. then put two humans together... and we need help. God knows more about not only our spouse but also about our very selves than we ever can. If we tap into His divine creativity and love, we unlock the very source of humans relationships and our God-ordained, two-become-one, sacramental relationship.
Praying Circles around your Children by Mark Batterson.
Praying Circles Around Your Kids is a short book and an important follow up to The Circle Maker the authors earlier book, however, this book relates the ‘circle’ to praying for your children. It is comforting and of much significance to be reminded that prayer is all about being in the presence of God. Parents need to purposefully live a life of prayer for their children, to cover and “circle” their lives with prayer. “Drawing prayer circles” is an allegory that basically means, "to pray without ceasing.” It's praying with more passion, more persistence. It's not just praying for, it's praying until you pray through. This book will help you appreciate how essential it is to pray for children out loud. You will be amazed when they remember the prayers and Bible verses they heard you pray over them. As you read, the author pools his personal thoughts together with scriptures to bring out some useful tips that you can apply. In the book, Mark Batterson shares five secret weapon that can be used as prayer circles to assist you in praying for and through your kids. He talks about and explains how to obtain Gods inspired promises and establishing your child’s life themes by generating distinctive prayer list for your family through prayer circle. He clarified in details using his life and others as examples, the five prayer circles, “Circling the Promises of God, Making Prayer Lists, Creating Prayer Mantras, Forming Prayer Circles, and Praying through the Bible.” It is exciting to see how the lives of people were changed through this type of prayer in the book. I love these tips because when incorporated with parenting, it is sure to make parents godlier. The central focus of this book is praying for our children and teaching them do so. It should be read by anyone that is involved in the lives of children.
Ngozi Roberts
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I’m a big fan of Mark Batterson’s book The Circle Maker, and have enjoyed his other books based on the “circle” theme, including Praying Circles around your Children; so I was interested in another praying circles book. Joel and Nina Schmidgall have defined several circles of influence in a marriage, and done an admirable job of explaining each of those circles: Vision, Romance, War, Dance, Support, Storm and Legacy in their book Praying Circles around Your Marriage. (Zondervan, 2019). Since the authors are both marriage counselors, they collectively bring a wealth of information about the subject. And then they add in the importance of prayer, so what’s not to like? They discuss each of the circles in layman’s terms, and share a lot of how each of the circles, coupled with prayer, has played out in their own marriage. Overall I would recommend this book to engaged or recently-married couples; however, I think the cover is slightly misleading. The authors are listed as the Schmidgalls, with Mark Batterson. I really struggled to find much of Batterson in this book other than some references to the authors’ relationship with him, and a few quotes from some of his other books. Then to top it off, when I went to a major etailer to look at info about the book, Mark Batteson is listed as the author. I don’t regret reading the book, but might not have signed up for the launch (and had to purchase the Kindle version myself) if I had realized how little of Mark Batterson I would be getting. 4/5
When I initially signed up to be on the Launch Team for this book, I thought it was going to have a lot of input by Mark Batterson. I knew it was written by Joel & Nina Schmidgall (both marriage counselors) with Mark Batterson. I appreciate Batterson’s writing and was looking forward to his input for my own spiritual growth. I’m not blaming that on anyone but myself for not paying closer attention to the actual authors of this book.
The Schmidgall’s have provided readers with some excellent steps to help those who are just starting out in marriage, struggling in marriage or wanting to strengthen their marriage. As I stated above, both of them are marriage counselors so they have the knowledge and experience to back up what they’ve written about. They want you to understand: “What your marriage will become is determined by how you pray.” They teach you Seven Key Prayer Circles for your marriage: Vision Circle, Romance Circle, War Circle, Dance Circle, Support Circle, Storm Circle & Legacy Circle. There is absolutely nothing more important or more lasting that you can do for your marriage than praying for it and praying with your spouse about it. I was provided an ARC of this book by HarperCollins Publishers. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
Praying Circles Around Your Marriage isn’t just another marriage book that talks about communication, making time for each other and the importance of listening, though it includes that. Praying Circles Around Your Marriage will meet any couple right where they’re at in their current season of marriage whether seasoned veterans looking to renew their genuine sharing of life or a couple just starting down the road of what marriage is and can be. The Schmidgalls have years and years of pastoral leadership of couples who have experienced everything in marriage and now they share their hard-earned wisdom about prayer in marriage with all of us readers. The stories, recommendations, practical tips and “circles” they devote to the realities of what marriage is and also the potential for what marriage can be make this an extra powerful book to help couples through the adventure of sharing life with someone else. My wife and I are very thankful to have come across Praying Circles Around Your Marriage and encourage all couples to consider how these circles of intentional prayer can help a marriage to grow.
I am a huge fan of Mark Batterson's book about praying circles over your life so I was super thrilled that there is a book that is specific for marriages,not that the other one couldn't be used for your marriage, but one that targets marriages is awesome and much needed and this book does not disappoint.
This book covers 7 specific issues, such as romance, war, support,storm,legacy,etc some of which really stood out to me while others are not things we are struggling with as much, but might face in the future. Filled with wisdom and keen insight this book is a great book to read together and look for ways to draw closer to God and strengthening ones marriage.
I love how this book talks about how couples often struggle with the same issues year after year, over and over again and ways to work through those issues and emerge stronger than before.
This was a easy but very insightful read that is the perfect for any couple, no matter how short or long you have been together.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is based on Mark Batterson's Be a Circle Maker, but it focuses on praying "circles" around our marriage. Because it was about prayers placed in our marriage, my wife and I read this book together. Although, there is a benefit from reading this book alone, I feel it was beneficial to read Mark's book "Be a Circle Maker" prior to reading this work.
The book's basic premise is that prayer is an essential part of a thriving marriage—not just individual prayer but prayer as a marriage unit. The authors navigate to areas of marriage that are part of every marriage union, such as Conflict, Romance, purpose, guidance, etc. They demonstrate that players play a pivotal role in each of these areas.
The most practical part of the book is when the authors invite the reader to pause and pray (called prayer prompt) or take action (called Action Prompt). You will get the most out of the book by pausing your reading and following the prompts.
I would recommend this book to every marriage. And I would recommend it as a couple's reading together.
Praying Circles Around Your Marriage by Joel and Nina Schmidgall with Mark Batterson was the perfect balance of suggestions, tools, and application through stories and prayers.
This couples insight on marriage and prayer will meet and empower you wherever you are in your marriage journey - starting out, struggling, or needing to strengthen. Each chapter is dedicated to the seven prayer circles - vision, war, romance, support, storm, and legacy.
My husband and I read this book simultaneously and discussed as we went. We are now rereading it with our small group at church. I am sure that we’ll read it again and again. This will now be my new go-to wedding {book} gift!
Praying Circles around Your Marriage will empower you and your spouse to identify your greatest dreams for the most important relationship in your life, and pray the kind of audacious prayers in which God finds delight.
After all, your life together has a legacy to leave for future generations. It’s time to start circling. Read our blog post with Joel and Nina Schmidgall here: https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/201...
Praying Circles Around Your Marriage does not get lost in theory! It is loaded with both significant suggestions and actionable application. Throughout the seven chapters, there are several "Prayer Prompts" and "Action Prompts." These help move this book from ideas to concepts that couples can act on. Also, the perspective of both spouses makes this book relatable to all readers. I would highly recommend this to couples, no matter how long they have been married for.
If you are still figuring out this thing called marriage this is the perfect playbook. You will find an honest perspective from both a husband and wife. Each writer brings some great insight about marriage and the power of circling your marriage in prayer. This is definitely a great tool for anyone’s marriage.
I absolutely loved this book! It walks through the many different stages or cycles of marriage and provided me prayers for each. I am truly thankful I was able to receive an Advanced Readers Copy and now have a number of prayers to return to each day no matter where I am at in my marriage. I'd highly recommend this book!
A must read for all people married or who ever want to be
This book is filled with so many truths and Devine wisdom . It needs read once , then again with highlights . Them read it again. If your single , use it to pray circles around your future spouse . If youre married , read it and pray through it together .
The content of this book was uplifting and helpful to building a vision for your Christ-centered marriage. The only reason I marked down to 4 stars was because the chapters were longer- making it hard to discuss the prayer/action prompts with my husband. The overall themes were organized nicely but I wish there was better stopping points to delve deeper!
Praying Circles Around Your Marriage is well written about who we need to have in our marriage besides each other. We need others to pray for us and make sure we're on the rght track. Be open. Be vulnerable. And let God do the work He was designed to do.
The seven applications Joel and Nina uncovers in this book of how to Pray Circles around your Marriage is enlightening. This book will enrich your life and your marriage. It is truly wonderful resource to your marriage library. Excellent
It was thought provoking and gave me some creative ideas for supporting my husband and working together as a team. I appreciate how it emphasized the reason for marriage in the first place. Definitely worth the read.
This book had some good points. It seemed a little repetitive and I felt like I had heard a lot of it in other books I have read. Good but not a necessary read.
Not bad, but I was hoping for something more focused on prayer, and this focused more on providing marriage advice, interspersed with brief prayer prompts.
Great book about marriage!! Very complete, full of prayer prompts, advice, truth, legacy and grace! One of the best book I have read about marriage!! #launchteam