Tag Archives: War Room the movie

A Wall of Remembrance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79cV5yBhQU

The American rock band the Cars once sang, Let the Good Times Roll.  Debuting in 1978 as a single, Good Times Roll is synonymous with joyous occasions in life.  While these moments may not happen that often, those who experience a season of blessings don’t want it to end.  Unfortunately, when the tides change in the form of disappointment, hardships and trials, its important to create a wall of remembrance.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing, 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

In the 2015 film War Room, Miss Clara uses this concept to remind her of all the prayers the Lord has answered.  Whenever discouragement tried to steal her joy in life, Miss Clara found comfort and encouragement from God’s previous faithfulness.  These reflections from your past serve as a point of reference.  Therefore, whenever the good times disappear, dates, letters and pictures of transformed individuals can keep hope alive.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him, James 1:12.

During the first mission trips I ever served on, I was introduced to the concept of care cards.  Team members were encouraged to write notes to anyone who said something or did something that was noteworthy over the course of each day.  These cards were placed into individual mail boxes that were only accessible on your trip home.  When I became a youth pastor, I implemented this on two service projects that I oversaw.  When depression caused me to lose faith, I started my own wall of remembrance in my bedroom.  While 2016 is still in its infancy, perhaps its time to start your own wall to remind you of God’s goodness.

by Jay Mankus

Preparing a Room for the New Year

New Year Eve celebrations vary depending upon your age, number of friends and preparations.  Opting for a smaller crowd this year, I spent a quiet evening with an old friend and his wife.  Instead of playing games, we watched War Room for the first time, a 2015 film which illustrates how prayer or a lack there of influences the life of a family.  Several scenes struck a nerve, convicting me that I need to prepare a room for 2016.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you, Matthew 6:6.

An elderly woman reaches out to a real estate agent trying to sell her home.  Seizing the moment, Miss Clara played by Karen Abercrombie introduces Priscilla played by Elizabeth Jordan to the concept of a war room.  This spiritual mentor challenges Priscilla to find a secluded room, without distractions so that an intimate prayer life with God can begin.  However, until the stage is set with a broken heart desperate for change, most war rooms remain powerless, unable to shift the momentum of losing battles within our lives.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, James 4:7.

In the past, prayer didn’t get my attention until I began to see answers to my cries for help.  Yet, this is just the beginning.  War rooms come to life as individuals learn to submit their lives to God and resist the devil.  If you reach this point, your mind will be transformed, resulting in boldness as you reclaim your relationship with God, home and family back from the control of demonic influences.  Although you may not be as successful as Miss Clara, this world is in need of prayer warriors willing to go to battle daily in their war rooms.

by Jay Mankus