(Full disclosure here: This movie, a Christian film that is a recent hit in movie theaters, bares the distinction of having a personal friend of mine in its cast! I'm proud to say that the talented Kimberly Hester Huffstetler, an actress who has appeared in over 30 films, has a brief cameo in this movie.)
Now onto WAR ROOM, brought to us by the same people who gave us FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and FACING THE GIANTS.
Tony and Elizabeth Jordan are an attractive and upwardly mobile couple who, on the exterior, seem to have everything: successful careers, a luxurious home, and a beautiful daughter, Danielle (played by a terrific young actress, Alena Pitts. Behind closed doors, it's sadly not as perfect a picture. Elizabeth (Priscilla C. Shirer) and Tony (T.C. Stallings) are so busy chasing the American Dream that they have left behind Danielle, each other, and God Himself.
Enter the charming and feisty Miss Clara (played by the absolutely delightful Karen Abercrombie). Miss Clara enlists Elizabeth in selling her house, a quaint home built in the early 1900s with one very unique feature: Miss Clara's "prayer closet," spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 6:6: "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." (New International Version)
This is the war room--the room, as Miss Clara instructs Elizabeth, where the battle is fought for our loved ones, for our families, for our friends, against the Enemy. At first, Elizabeth feels Miss Clara is prying, and yet she knows her marriage is in trouble and throws her whole heart into fighting for her family. Miss Clara takes Elizabeth under her wing and leads her on a journey that not only involves fighting for her family but which naturally also leads to a deeper, closer walk with He who fights for us. (Deuteronomy 3:22)
Make no mistake: This is completely and unapologetically a Christian film. I don't want to give away too much, but I will say that the cast put in some impressive performances. Christian movies have come a long way, as demonstrated by this moving film, which as one friend put it, "really makes you want to clean out your closet and make room for a war room of your own." And as another friend of mine said, "It is a call to prayer to every Christian in America."
As a believer, you will be challenged to take a good look at your prayer life, and you will see it in a new light. This is a film with a lot of heart, that will stay with you after you leave the theater; it is my hope that it sends you into your own WAR ROOM, as it did to me. Go see this one!
"If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version
