This past spring I was in a season of the "Prayer Life Blahh's." Have you been there? You know when your prayer life resembles your three year old's prayer life - you are saying the words but that's about it. My friend Greta recommended Mark Batterson's book The Circle Maker to me. I had heard of the book before, and certainly seen it on all the best seller lists where it has been comfortably camping out since it's release in 2011, but I had never read it.

It's no exaggeration to say that this book has fundamentally changed the way I look at prayer. Mark is a master storyteller and mighty local church leader - an uncommon combo - that makes this book both chalked full of theology on prayer, but also life stories that make the application of the theology accessible. When I finished the book, I was actually sad. Very sad! I could have flipped the book over and started at page one again. It was that good. I know this book will be one I reach for over and over in the coming years.

If you are facing giants in your life, or desiring to dream dreams that seem impossibly large, this book would be a great one to pick up. I know you would be blessed to read it. Unlike my last two suggestions - this book is also a great book to get for your husband, son, or other favorite guy in your life.