I was on a mission, my "War Room" game had to be upped and I was right on track until I got derailed by the Christmas festivities - lame excuse...I know huh!!! After the holidays were done and I came back from "Cloud 9", I figured I needed to watch this movie again - just to get that kick once more. This time, I watched with a notebook and pen in hand coz there are so many lessons to learn. {Weird right....who watches a movie while taking notes? Just so you know, experts say the chances of remembering something you have written down are very high, so don't blame me lol}. The setting of a strained marriage as a catalyst for Liz to pray and fight for her family notwithstanding, here's what I learnt. These can be applied to any situation.
Learn How To Pray - "The
{Prayer} warrior in you needs to be awakened", Miss Clara. I believe
there is a prayer warrior in all of us but thing is, you have
got to awaken that warrior by learning how to pray. I love how Liz was honest
and said she didn't know where to even start praying for her marriage
& family. Miss Clara's response forms the basis of any beginning
point of prayer - go into the scriptures. Read the word of God and get
verses that will help you pray. The more you pray, the stronger you
become and the more you learn about prayer. Most of all, the Holy Spirit
will guide you and teach you how to pray. John 14:26 "But the Helper
(Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby),
the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. {Amplified Version}.
Believe In The Power of Prayer - There is tremendous power in prayer but you have to believe and have faith that whatever you are praying about, God is able to do and accomplish. I know sometimes it may seem like you are praying and nothing is happening, actually things are getting worse; don't stop, keep praying and believing. Mathew 21: 21- 22 " Jesus replied to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have faith [personal trust and confidence in Me] and do not doubt or
allow yourself to be drawn in two directions, you will not only do what
was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be
taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen [if God wills it]. And whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Let Go & Let God - "Its not your job to do the heavy lifting, that is something that only He {God} can do. It is your job to seek Him, trust Him & stand on His Word", Miss Clara. I will not lie to you, this is easier said than done and especially if like me you always want to be control. "There is no room for you and God on the throne of your heart. It's either him or you and if you want victory, you need to surrender", Miss Clara. This was and continues to be a tough lesson for me as I had no option but to learn how to be still and just let God handle things. Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.” On letting God take control, Bebe & Cece Winans summed it up well: He Can Handle It
{Does}Where You Pray Matter{s} - I struggled with this one. I used to be a strong advocate for praying anywhere - in the mat, while walking - I mean, its not a must for me to have a specific place. I however love how Miss Clara breaks it down, "there is no magic on the location you pray but scripture says to go into your inner room & pray in secret and your heavenly Father who sees what's done in secret will reward you. Get rid of any distractions & focus your mind on Him". Get a specific place in your house and dedicate it as your war room, raise an altar of prayer there.
Teach Others {Pass It On} - Towards the end of the movie Miss Clara and Liz are having a chat on the amazing results of her resolve to fight for her marriage & family in prayer. Miss Clara tells Liz something profound which I believe that many at times we fail to do as Christians - Mentorship. Miss Clara stresses that Liz should find other young women she can teach what she has learnt. As you learn to pray and grow, make sure you help others who are struggling with areas that you used to struggle with. It doesn't make sense to just standby and watch someone make mistakes you made yet with your guidance they can avoid them. It however has to be voluntary and you also need to pray that God sends you someone to invest in. Titus 2:3 "Older
women similarly are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious
gossips nor addicted to much wine, teaching what is right and good, so that they may encourage the young women to tenderly love their husbands and their children, to
be sensible, pure, makers of a home [where God is honored],
good-natured, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of
God will not be dishonored".
Has Alex Kendrick achieved his purpose of making War Room? Has the movie inspired, challenged and motivated you to fight the right kind of battles and in the best way possible? For me it has, hopefully it will do the same for you :-).
Grace & Forgiveness - Learn how to extend forgiveness and grace to others. Its funny how we feel we have earned the right for God to forgive us & give us grace yet when it comes to others, they don't merit - double standards. Liz was so angry and frustrated at her husband that a suggestion to extend grace to him seemed so unfair as he didn't deserve it. She thought that it meant letting him have control and walk all over her. Forgiveness liberates, you are not giving up control but you are just letting God deal with the person. "God gives us grace and helps us to give it to others when they do not deserve it", Miss Clara. Much as the central theme of the movie was prayer, Grace is also demonstrated so strongly. Tony's reaction when his boss came to see him and informed him he will not prosecute him for defrauding the company can best explain the feeling of receiving pardon and mercy when you fully know you do not deserve.
