Warroom 3 1 2 Commentary
. Colossians 4:2 (NIV): Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV): Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV): But the Lord is faithful, and he. Stephen Kendrick. Stephen Kendrick is a speaker, film producer, and author with a ministry passion for prayer and discipleship. He is a cowriter and producer of the movies WAR ROOM, Courageous, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof and cowriter of the New York Times.
Reviewed by:Karen C. Flores
CONTRIBUTOR
1 John 2 Commentary
August 28, 2015 (wide—1,135 theaters)
September 4, 2015 (wider—1,526 theaters)
September 25, 2015 (wider—1,900+ theaters)
DVD: December 22, 2015
What is prayer?
PRAYER TIPS for new and growing Christians
Why aren’t my prayers answered? Answer
FOR MISSIONARIES—How can I pray for my missionary? Answer
FOR PERSECUTED CHURCH—Why should we pray and act for the suffering church? Answer
MUSLIMS—How can followers of Christ best pray for Muslims? Answer
WORSHIP—What is it? And why is it important?
AMEN—What does this word mean?
PARENTING TIPS ON TEACHING THANKFULNESS—Besides saying grace at meals, how can I teach my child to be thankful? Answer
Why should humans give thanks to their Creator? What does the Bible say about it? Answer
Based on his actions, it seems clear that Tony (the husband) was unconverted and unsaved—not merely a backslidden Christian. What are some things he lacked—making him an enemy of God, destined for eternal separation from God? …
hatred of sin
reconciliation with God
Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Answer
How good is good enough? Answer
Will all mankind eventually be saved? Answer
Featuring: | Priscilla Evans Shirer … Elizabeth Jordan T.C. Stallings … Tony Jordan Karen Abercrombie … Miss Clara Beth Moore … Mandy Michael Jr. … Michael Jadin Harris … Jennifer Stephens Tenae Downing … Veronica Drake Meg Crosbie … Church Member Ben Davies … Policeman Kimberly Hester Huffstetler … Charge Nurse Noël Baker … Trish Myke Holmes … Delivery Guy Ashley Bratcher … Lindsay J.D. Banks … Robber Rusty Martin Sr. … Mr. Barnes See all » |
Director: | Alex Kendrick—“Courageous” (2011), “Fireproof” (2008), “Facing the Giants” (2006) |
Producer: | FaithStep Films Affirm Films Red Sky Studios |
Distributor: | TriStar Pictures, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment |
“Prayer is a powerful weapon.”
The Kendrick brothers, who brought you “Fireproof” and “Courageous,” are back with a new theme to their film ministry: prayer. Their latest venture is called “War Room.” This drama posits that prayer is a battlefield. It tells the story of Tony and Elizabeth Jordan. They have all the material possessions of a successful family. Tony (T.C. Stalling) is a successful salesman in a pharmaceutical company. Elizabeth (Priscilla Shirer) has a good career in real estate. Along with good jobs, they have a nice house and a beautiful daughter. Beneath the surface, however, their marriage is in trouble. The relationship is steeped in distrust and disloyalty. Tony keeps Elizabeth in the dark about what is happening in his life, which leads to Elizabeth having feelings of anger, bitterness, and resentment.
While the marriage is in a severe strain, Elizabeth meets a new client, Miss Clara, a quirky elderly woman who speaks her mind. Their meeting is what changes Elizabeth’s life. Miss Clara introduces Elizabeth to her “war room,” which is a prayer closet. Miss Clara teaches Elizabeth how to pray in the war room and how to bring her troubles to the Lord God.
Elizabeth feels hopeless. She has been trying to keep her marriage and her family together on her own strength. When she meets Miss Clara, she learns how to rely on God’s strength. Like Jesus’ example from the Bible, Miss Clara shows Elizabeth new wineskins to pour her marriage into, instead of the old wineskins that she was using. Elizabeth thinks that she is going to help a new client put her house up for sale, but instead, her client helps her get a renewed marriage. Once Elizabeth starts to pray, her life and her marriage are turned upside down.
The term “repent” is used in this film, but not really explained. What is repentance?
What is regeneration?
I think that people need to watch this film. It does not show God as a fairy godmother or Santa Claus. It shows that hope is found in prayer and trusting and believing God and His Word. The movie tells us that despite the fact that situations seem really dark and gloomy, if we trust God to take care of the circumstance, He will bring us to the other side with joy and hope.
Scenes in this movie that may be of concern to some:
There is a scene where one spouse desires to commit adultery.
In the same scene, the spouse drinks alcohol.
There is a scene about lying, dishonesty, and stealing.
There is no violence, nudity or profanity. It is very family-oriented, but some subjects, like the possibility of adultery, may not be appropriate for children under ten years old. As believers, I feel strongly that we need to support Christian films in order to make a statement to Hollywood. It is a decent film, telling us how to use an important tool in the Christian life: prayer.
Violence: Mild / Language: Mild / Sex/Nudity: Mild
Update, 8.28.2015: Now that the movie is out, I have a surprise for you. I saw a screening of this movie months ago. I learned that the actress who plays Miss Clara is a younger woman. She is not elderly at all. She came into the audition dressed as the character and won the part. I think that’s what makes this movie more interesting. She amazed the directors and producers with this performance. I hope that it amazed you, too!
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
Without giving too much away, all the emotional strings were pulled in this movie: joy, anger, sadness. Two hours later, I’m still in awe of how amazing this film was. I wish this movie was available for viewing in more theaters (only ONE theater in my area, out of dozens, was showing this). If it’s in your area and you only go to one movie this year, this is IT. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors! I can’t wait for the DVD release!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
I did like the way the subject of prayer was dealt with BUT most specifically, Miss Clara’s teaching on GRACE. It was spot on and was one of the most powerful lessons of the movie. Felt the ending was somewhat rushed—but loved the lessons of why prayer was needed, the importance, and the humble submission to Jesus in prayer—a recognition of our daily need for grace and strengthening—they were perfect. GO SEE THIS! With your spouse, a possible spouse, and friends. GO!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4
I cannot say enough. Churches, see this movie—and start praying. We all need to be a Miss Clara in this world we live in.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
The characters were authentic and believable. I saw myself in the film! It was inspiring to participate in the worship experience of watching the film. We cried, prayed, laughed, shouted and praised Jesus for His amazing grace!! I recommend this film to all people, both believers and unbelievers. The prayers of the righteous are powerfully effective!!!… I commend the Kendrick Brothers and their vision in knowing what the body of Christ needs at this time… a call to prayer!!!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
BTW, I challenge you to go back and watch the other films, especially if you have never seen them: “Flywheel,” “Facing the Giants,” “Fireproof” and “Courageous.” Good story telling, entertaining, funny, inspiring and convicting. My wife and I prayed in the car after the movie. My only complaint about this movie would be that it doesn’t have the action and intensity of the previous films. I pray this film stirs up Christians to be serious about their prayer lives. May God also draw people who don’t know the God of the Bible to see and be saved.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Christians need to stand tall on their knees praying for God to guide us each day and to pray for all our family, friends. and the peace of Jerusalem. I am a product of the power of prayer, and when God touched me, God showed me who was praying for me. In saying that, all I can say to you is prayer is very powerful, and the people you are praying for will be blessed.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
It was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. The humor and the seriousness of the movie was well balanced. It made me laugh and cry. The actors and actresses played their parts very well. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
My husband and I both agreed that the ending was much too sugar-coated and not realistic enough, diluting the potential for a stronger message. Early in the film Tony says that they can barely afford their beautiful home. After his confession, he is required to repay the $19,000, and he loses the company car then takes a job at half the pay. What is missing here is that they should have had to sell their house for a much more humble home (buying Miss Clara’s home would have made sense for example and added a sweet twist to the story with Miss Clara’s prayer room becoming Elizabeth’s), having to sacrifice more than just the loss of his car and his job. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4
If you’re looking for a place where you can have a great family night, the movie theater with “War Room” on the screen comes highly recommended!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
As the founder of a ministry for abused men and women, I can confirm that what is depicted in this film is not fiction… it is very real. Jesus IS the answer to each of our problems, but we cannot just tell hurting people that… we have to show them how HE is the answer, and that may mean getting down and getting dirty to help them (No, I do not mean in a sinful way, by doing the things they do, but I mean really caring about those the world rejects.).
This film has a lot of humor in the right places and had the audience laughing several times, but, more important, I am sure it has many tears in praise to our LORD over what HE can do in the lives of those who use… The PRAYER ROOM!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
1 John 1 Commentary
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
I come from a family background of truly believing in the power of prayer, the move of God, and this movie touches all aspects of life. The timing is perfect for all that is going on in our world. I saw nothing negative about this movie, prayers from the heart will reach the heart!! There needs to be more movies released like this one! Raise them up Lord! Raise them up!!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
It is hard to forgive, the longer we sit on it, the more it will eat up your soul, but when we CHOOSE to forgive, as we see in the movie, it turns things around. GOD CHOOSES TO FORGIVE US, EVEN WHEN WE DON’T DESERVE IT!! PRAISE JESUS!!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality:
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
I loved the part where Elizabeth, after praying, spent time just listening to God. In John 10:27 (NIV) it states, My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. What other religion can claim that kind of intimate relationship with their god or gods? The producers accomplished a lot in the two hour running time of the movie.
My only disappointment was that the movie failed to realistically show the consequences of sin. Forgiveness was handled beautifully, but I kept thinking that people might walk away with the idea that everything will work out just fine when we turn our lives over to Christ. We get to keep the expensive house, a new job will be offered to us, we don’t even have to apply anywhere, our children will instantly forgive us for the damaged we may have caused them, and as long as we admit to our employer that we stole, lied, and defrauded them that God will remove any really serious consequences. Biblically, that is seldom so. Although God can turn what was mean’t for evil into something good we are still responsible for our choices.
Still, a great movie, well acted, well written, with a great message, and a real challenge for us to place God first. Congratulations. I would recommend this movie to anyone desiring a closer relationship with God.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Thank you Alex for all you do and may God Bless You! I am giving “War Room” DVD’s out to people whom I think would be willing to have people over to their house and watch it, or even share with their church, and develop a prayer ministry.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
I ordered the movie, my husband and I watched the movie and Oh my God, was God talking to me or what, I was Ms. Clara, being stubborn, wouldn’t listen to God on praying for my husband, I’m asking God to help me, I will be turning my home office into my War Room.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
I am currently waiting for the answer to a prayer I’ve prayed for over ten years. I confess I do get frustrated sometimes, but I remind myself that not only does God love me, but he promised to answer my prayer. So I suck it up and get back on the trail of faith. I am so thankful for a movie clearly advocating godliness. Thank you
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
The story played out as realistically as a movie can. Obviously, in real life, sometimes things do go badly wrong, but a movie generally has to have a happy ending. The only negatives I noted are a few scenes that felt like they’d been recycled from their previous movies and a strange scene where Elizabeth is going through her house shouting at the devil.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 3
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality:
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
People are looking for this one film to speak to every issue relating to prayer—you can’t focus on the necessity and power of God and prayer without the prayers being answered. It would be confusing to do that Also, I think we all are products of our culture even though we are believers we are skeptical about the ability of God to answer prayers. Elizabeth had to get more real estate to sell… no one movie will do it all—It did it’s purpose—showed us that our relationship with God is important—and that God is interested and involved in our everyday concerns and desires!
There is a battle for control of us—Ephesians 6 tells us we are in a spiritual fight daily—the movie taught us that we can be more victorious when we pray… And if we are getting more unanswered than answered prayers, we may need t examine our motives/desires and see if they line up with God’s Word
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4
Within 2 weeks “of praying for myself and my husband,” he came home. I told him I had a movie I wanted to watch with him. When it got to the about to cheat scene! His eyes got as big as a deer in the headlights! You see, he had done exactly the same thing and got exactly the same reaction… picking! What a sign from GOD and a testimony story that not only does prayer work! GOD is very much alive and well and HE IS watching! He will bless you if you ask, he is listening! Prayer does work, but you must do it! It is another sign of truth, that GOD is real and HEAVEN is real and so is HELL!
If your marriage is in trouble, get this movie, do what it says and believe in the Lord! Thank You to the story writers and producers and creators if this film and the actors that so perfectly portraits the message from GOD to us all! Don’t stop making movies! Thank You GOD for everything! Raise Up Lord! Amen!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Now, we do know nothing is impossible with God, of course. And I realize it’s a movie about uplifting and your happiness. But the Bible does not say God is a genie and everything you pray for has a yes in return. Sometimes it’s maybe, sometimes it’s a wait and sometimes it’s a no.
This movie may make newer Christians think they are doing something wrong because their prayers are not getting yes answers. And it may turn them off to God if they get the impression he’s a genie, but they don’t get what they want.
It may also make people think if your husband cheats, he will never do it again if he realizes he was wrong. Or if you commit fraud at where you work, your boss will forgive you and let you off the hook.
With those points aside, it was a great movie and inspirational and making you think how much prayer matters. And how hard you should be praying. There is power in prayer!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4
True intercession is a man that will TELL THE TRUTH, not go in the closet and pray. That’s what numbers of people in churches did for this murderer when he needed to be locked up. This is why so many people in churches are dumbed down. …See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 3½
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
You would think something so pure as this—which is even Biblically based for a man to provide for his family and the wife to be at home to raise the children—would be answered. This, along with long bouts of unemployment, surgeries, bankruptcy and even unfaithfulness in the marriage, have all played pivotal moments in our marriage even when we were both praying individually and as a couple.
These films, while wonderful in concept, do not deal with the directness of actual life consequences (like what would have happened had this praying wife's prayers not been answered before the end of the movie? Had her husband, Tony, cheated on her and then, after being fired from his job, had gone to prison? What would have happened had they lost their home due to lack of income?
That the wife, Elizabeth, just said the heck with it all and ran off had her own emotional or physical affair? These are the real trials and consequences of life that hit us even when we do pray and pray fervently but do not receive the answers to the prayers that we send to God. God will work the ugliness and sin of life and, if we turn to Him, He will start to work things through for His good. I guess I am just jaded to the easiness of this movie and how quickly and completely these prayers are answered in such a short amount of time and how everyone lived happily ever after.
This isn't real life, this is a made up movie with wishful thinking that prayer works that fast and prayers are answered according to your desires.
My Ratings: Moral rating: / Moviemaking quality:
I’ve heard of people’s marriages being healed. But, Christians are allowed to make poor decisions. The Bible is filled with examples of poor decisions. The good news is that the Father can make good things come from poor decisions. God is fully able to change a wayward spouse’s mind by trials and tribulation. Faith is knowing that God can do anything, but you also have to trust Him even when He does not answer us the way we think He should. I would love it if every prodigal spouse came to their senses.
Anyway, I’m not trying to bum anyone out or make anyone’s faith fail, but, in my experiences, this is not realistic. I hope your marriage is saved. God bless.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4
I think in the movie they misunderstand James 4:7-8—we must resist Satan and draw near to God, and He will draw near to us, not confront or command Satan. Satan may be cunning, manipulative and powerful his power doesn’t compare with God’s power, that’s why we lean on God, we draw near to Him and when we do Satan will have no power or authority over us except that which God gives him (Job 1:12). Let’s rather draw near to God and put our trust in Him—the battle really is not ours, it is the Lord’s.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible
Old Testament
New Testament
James Burton Coffman
James Burton Coffman was a prolific author, preacher, teacher and leader among churches of Christ in the 20th century.
He was born May 24, 1905, in Taylor County to pioneer West Texans 'so far out in the country it took two days to go to town and back.' He became a Christian in 1923.
In Texas, Coffman graduated from Abilene High School and enrolled in Abilene Christian College (now University), graduating in 1927 with a B.A. in history and music.
After earning his degree, Coffman served as a high school principal for two years in Callahan County, then taught history and English at Abilene High School.
In 1930, he was offered a position as associate minister and song leader in Wichita Falls, the beginning of his career as a minister. Then, he married Thelma 'Sissy' Bradford in 1931. Coffman preached for congregations in Texas; Oklahoma; Washington, D.C.; and New York City. In his lifetime, Coffman received 3 honorary doctorates.
While in Washington, he was offered the opportunity to serve as guest chaplain for the U.S. Armed Forces in Japan and Korea and served 90 days, holding Gospel meetings throughout both countries.
Coffman conducted hundreds of gospel meetings throughout the U.S. and, at one count, baptized more than 3,000 souls.
Retiring in 1971, he returned to Houston. One of his most notable accomplishments was writing a 37-volume commentary of the entire Bible, verse by verse, which was finished in 1992. This commentary is being sold all over the world. Many people consider the Coffman series to be one of the finest modern, conservative commentary sets written.
Coffman's conservative interpretations affirm the inerrancy of the Bible and clearly point readers toward Scripture as the final basis for Christian belief and practice. This series was written with the thorough care of a research scholar, yet it is easy to read. The series includes every book of the Old and New Testaments.
After being married to Sissy for 64 years, she passed away. Coffman then married June Bristow Coffman. James Burton Coffman died on Friday, June 30, 2006, at the age of 101.