War Room: Prayer Is a Powerful Weapon

War Room is the novelization of the movie by the same name set to release on August 28, 2015. Another creation from Alex and Stephen Kendrick of Fireproof and Courageous, War Room focuses on the power unleashed when God’s people turn to prayer. Following his novelization of The Song (read review HERE), talented author Chris Fabry has done an excellent job of translating images from the big screen to print.

War Room features Elizabeth and Tony Jordan, two high-achieving people who have let things of this world — money, status, and pride — get in the middle of their marriage. The distance and arguing have affected their only child as well, setting up a course of disaster for their future. Enter Miss Clara, a woman who has faced show more life’s battles on her knees. Through the power of prayer, lives are changed and hope is found.

Elizabeth and Tony are two very realistic characters. On the outside they look like they have it all — good careers, a beautiful home, a well-behaved child — yet they are dying inside. And they are Christians. But neglect of the most important relationship, that of God, has caused them to come to the edge of losing it all. This book is sure to touch a lot of chords with readers. So what can save us? Prayer. The character of Miss Clara is a great example of a life lived and breathed through prayer. Never a laundry a list of wants and needs, Clara’s prayer life is one of seeking and worshipping, allowing God to change minds and lives all the time bringing glory to Him. This book is a wake-up call to believers who are coasting through their spiritual lives.

It is very hard to successfully write a book based on a movie. The book is often just a series of images with one-dimensional characters. But Chris Fabry did an exceptional job of allowing the reader to conjure their own images. War Room never felt hurried or incomplete. It has made me anxious to see the movie. There is a Double Dutch competition described that will have to be seen to be believed. The book also includes pictures from the movie and discussion questions for personal or group study.

Another hit from both the Kendricks and Fabry, War Room is a recommended read.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Tyndale for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

The Kendrick brothers and the Sherwood Pictures films have had incredible impacts on Christians and non-Christians alike. Providing hope and encouragement to thousands, they once again presented a powerful message through their latest film War Room. However, this isn't a movie review, but a book review. Hundreds of books have movies made about them, but several (if not all) of the Sherwood movies have books written after the movies. This is one of them. I read the Courageous book after viewing the movie, and while I was unsure of what I would think, I was amazingly surprised. I had no hesitations about reading War Room after seeing the movie,

While this book centers around Tony and Elizabeth's marriage and family, I especially loved show more following Miss Clara's story. In the movie, she's mainly the mentor for Elizabeth and indeed that is her position for most of the story. However, a book is able to take the time to enter into each person's thoughts while a movie cannot. Living in Miss Clara's past and hearing her thoughts left me thinking that I got to know her by sitting where Elizabeth sat. Maybe even drinking some of that lukewarm coffee. ;)

Some of the lines I could tell were taken directly from the movie, and I appreciated how the book stayed true to the movie, only adding in extra scenes, thoughts, and dialogue. One of the other things I appreciated about this book is the added scenes regarding Elizabeth's struggle to trust her husband. While she didn't know what was going on in his life all the time (and that didn't automatically change once he repented and surrendered to God), she knew she needed to trust him in order to effectively produce lasting change in his life. You see Elizabeth learn to respond, pray, and interact in solid, biblical manner once she has repented of her own faults. See, in relational difficulties, it won't help to recognize another person's faults--we all know other people have faults. It's only when Elizabeth decides to change her own life and become a prayer warrior that she saw others around her change.

Tony and Danielle's relationship is also detailed more in the book. Danielle wants her father's affection, but senses that he has no time for her, causing her to draw back from him (and his angry outbursts also push her away). Her development throughout the story is precious, and her comments are just as funny as in the movie. Each time I read one of her lines I could hear her voice in my head.

So yes, definitely read the book. It will fill in all the little spaces that a movie cannot. Worth a read.
And maybe a thought or two. ;) show less

This is an amazing book on many levels. It is well written with highly developed characters. The story flows well and the editing was well done. You can probably relate to at least one person in the book. It was especially helpful to me as my son is going through some of these issues and it is helping me pray for him and his family. The book is not only a fictional story, it is a self-help for your prayer life also. The story was so interesting, it was very hard for me to put it down. I finished the story and wished for more, but the ending was appropriate for the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone from teenage on up. Male or female, you won't be disappointed. I was given this book from bookfun.org in exchange for my honest show more review. show less

While Tony and Elizabeth Jordon have great jobs, a wonderful daughter, beautiful home, their marriage is crumpling daily. When Elizabeth meets Miss Clara, her life takes an unexpected turn. Miss Clara is older, wiser and a prayer warrior who challenges Elizabeth to start fighting for her family instead of against her husband.

A seemingly perfect family looks to fix their problems with the help of Miss Clara, an older, wiser woman. Prayer is the answer.
Rated PG for thematic elements throughout

Based on the motion picture by Alex & Stephen Kendrick

Very inspirational