Rediscovering Prayer

by Addison Bevere

June 11, 2023

Separator Words with God by Addison Bevere
The Power Of Praying In Circles

Some [things] cannot be taken by direct assault; they must be taken like Jericho. — Ortega

I’ve been thinking a lot about circles lately.

So much of life is defined by circles—our days, week, months, and years form circles for us to move in and through. We’re constantly reminded that the end of a thing has a way of taking us back to a beginning.

It would seem the cosmos announces the Circle as God’s shape of choice.

But in a world where progress is defined by straight lines and checked boxes, corporate ladders and bar charts, what’s circular is often considered unsuccessful—a waste of time and energy.

We prefer the efficiency of the “direct assault.”

I love the story of Jericho and its 13 circles. For seven days Israel walked around Jericho, seeing it from every angle. With each pass, they became more familiar with their pursuit, more aware of the promise, more in tune with the tension.

The militant voices of human strategy and efficiency were silenced. The only sound, until the very end, was the blast of the trumpets, which was a constant symbol of praise, a defiant declaration. Only through silence would victory find its sound.

And in the end, one week of walking in faithful circles accomplished something that would’ve taken months of direct assault.

Response

The question that I want us to be prayerful about this week is, What is my Jericho?

Closing Thoughts

When it comes to prayer as a way of life, God often invites us into the circular nature of prayer, helping us not default to direct assaults that are limited to own our strength and understanding.It may seem like prayer (and life) is leading you nowhere but don’t believe the lie. Your present moment is both familiar and new, and that’s how it must be. You are not stuck, for the circle is, in fact, your way forward.

Praying with you,

Addison

Separator Words with God by Addison Bevere

P.S. If you’ve read Words with God, I’d be so grateful if you wrote a review. Your words help more people find it. And if you don’t have the book yet, well, you can get it on Amazon, through the Messenger Store, or wherever you get your books.

Sunday Entries

On most Sundays, I share a short prayer guide, offering words and practices that will help you see, hear, and experience more of God in your daily life. I’d love for you to join us.

.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Addison Bevere. Unsubscribe anytime.

The Entries

Sin does its best work in the dark. It fractures, separates, distorts, dealing in deception and delusion. Sin is powerful but it doesn’t stand a chance against the light. When brought into the light, its holes are exposed, and those holes become portals, if you will, for us to receive God’s redemptive holiness, a wholeness only made possible by grace. Within the light, even sin must bow its knee, surrendering to God’s plans to redeem, restore, and transform.

Continue Reading →

Have you ever noticed that thanksgiving has a buoyancy to it? When you’re around people who practice costly gratitude, life feels lighter, even when it’s heavy.

Continue Reading →

There is hope, though. According to the proverb, while anxiety might weigh us down, just a single good word can reverse its effects, offering us courage in exchange for despair.

Continue Reading →

06.11.23

“I’ve been thinking a lot about circles lately. So much of life is defined by circles—our days, week, months, and years form circles for us to move in and through. We’re constantly reminded that the end of a thing has a way of taking us back to a beginning. It would seem the cosmos announces the Circle as God’s shape of choice…”

Addison Bevere is the COO of Messenger International, a ministry founded by John and Lisa Bevere in 1990 that exists to develop uncompromising followers of Christ who transform our world. Messenger is dedicated to providing people with access to life-transforming messages regardless of their location, language, or financial position.

addison-thumbnail-2021
Addison Bevere

Husband, father, author, poet, speaker & follower of Christ

addison-thumbnail-2021
Addison Bevere

Husband, father, author, poet, speaker & follower of Christ

2024 © Addison Bevere. All Rights Reserved.