In my previous post I threw my support behind the latest Kendrick brothers’ film–War Room. Loved it. I especially loved that they put Scripture at the forefront to guide in prayer. That is exactly where it needs to be. Another strong point in the movie was the Gospel. They didn’t soften it or put it in the shadows. People need the Gospel. The Gospel is how we are able to pray, and why we pray, right?
I do have a pretty important caution to all of the viewers, and it doesn’t have anything to do with the amount of butter that you put on the popcorn. There will be some people who will take the movie’s “war room” portrayal of a private, personal solitude time with God in the prayer closet out of context and think of prayer in a “soldier, commando, attack” perspective.
Using the title, “War Room” makes it easy to walk away from the movie and have a portrayal of prayer as one of battle, war, and attack. This movie did a pretty good job of keeping the type of prayer that they were wanting to emphasize within a biblical context. Yet caution must be mentioned.
Commando–attack view of prayer–has a large, yes LARGE following of teachers and listeners within the Christian community. There are many who have created an extreme doctrine on a “war room” view of prayer that is extreme, to say the least. This extreme view of prayer, aka: commando, is far beyond Scripture, far beyond the character of the Church, and far beyond the nature of God Himself. My popcorn is getting cold so I will only share a couple of extremes that come out of the “commando” schools of prayer.
- A dualism theology is developed. Huh? God on one side and Satan on the other. They are pitted against each other in a spiritual battle. Sometimes God overcomes and sometimes Satan overcomes. This creates a theology where God and Satan are equal opposites–“dualism.” This is enough to make me choke on a kernel. God and Satan equals? Maybe if you’re in a cult where Jesus and Lucifer are spiritual brothers, but this is not the God of the Bible, nor is this the Satan that we read about in the Bible. As Martin Luther said, the Devil is God’s Devil!
- From dualism comes the belief that God needs us to pray or Satan will win battles, maybe even the ultimate war. God is waiting for “prayer warriors” to get on their knees and pray God’s will into manifestation. But let’s be as clear as the sunshine on this: God doesn’t need ANYTHING. He doesn’t need me, my prayers, or some self-appointed “prayer warrior” (I’m still trying to find a biblical example and context for whatever that is).
- This theological view comes with an idea that the devil is afraid of us. Hello; he’s not. He’s afraid of Christ. Most of this commando type of prayer (if not all of it) includes shouting at the Devil and his cohorts, as if he flees at our words. Remember, even Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” Jude 9. Remember what Jesus said, “It is written.” God’s Word! This is an area where fools are often found, and acting like one of the sons of Sceva is down right foolish.
- Oh, and then there is Philippians 4:6. We are to make our requests known to … wait for it …. GOD. That is what it says; not to the Devil or demons, but to God. You can throw your popcorn threats at the Devil, but while you’re doing that I am going to go to the Throne of Grace and find help in time of need. Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
- It breeds a prideful spirit. A person usually begins with a humble, contrite heart, but pride feeds the ego of how important and special you are for answering the unique call to be a disciplined soldier in prayer. You have become one of the few, the proud, the chosen.
- A person spends more time rebuking, warning, and chasing off demonic forces than he does in fellowship with the Father. The Scripture is neglected, and it is read with a commando view rather than with an open objective approach that exalts Christ Jesus.
Two, six, okay more than a few. Once I started, I couldn’t help myself–like a bucket of theater popcorn. Now my popcorn is definitely cold. Urgh!
There are many reasons to stay away from a commando view of prayer, but I think you get the picture. We need to use Scripture to define prayer, not experiences or emotions. Biblical, let’s stay biblical. The commando theology, as I’ve describe above, is not biblical, nor is it sensible or safe if a person is wanting to keep a humble heart before God and man.
Although there is a part of praying that may be considered confrontational, I see this as less emphasized in the scripture. I cannot read of Jesus teaching anyone to take a commando view and stance in the proverbial prayer closet. We do read where Jesus said,
Matthew 6:5–9 (NKJV) — 5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Then Jesus tells His disciples, “In this manner, therefore, pray:” and He gives them what we call the “Lord’s Prayer” which is actually the disciples’ prayer. The point is, do you read in the passage above or in the Lord’s Prayer a commando view of prayer? Not really; nothing of the sort. Jesus gave other lessons on prayer and if the reader doesn’t read into the lessons he will be hard pressed to insert a commando view of prayer.
So what should be the main emphasis of our time of solitude with God the Father? It is simple: Seeking Him. Seeking His Kingdom. Learning about Him, and learning to open our heart to grow towards Christ. We build ourselves up on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20); we offer thanksgiving, praise; we share our cares, hurts, fears, sorrows, and pains (you know, be real). We surrender requests and intercessions for ourselves and others; and what may be the most important work being done in our prayer closet–we see the Gospel, let the Gospel work in us, through our minds, and direct our hands, feet, thoughts, motives, attitudes, priorities, and speech. All of this goes on in our solitude time when we meet the living God in private communion. This is what He is calling us to in the prayer closet.
If you haven’t seen this movie, go, you’ll enjoy it. Then go into your prayer closet and give praise to the One who gave you eternal life. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness.
I would love to hear your feedback on this post. Yes, even if you dislike theater popcorn, its price, or any part of what I said above. Any part.
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