I WILL STAND STRONG 30 DAY CHALLENGESample

Great Expectations 

One of our (the Benhams) favorite family movies of all time is War Room, by Alex and Stephen Kendrick. Our kids often ask us to play it when we’re on road trips. We gladly oblige because it’s an inspiring film that shows the power and importance of prayer. 

In the movie an older woman, Miss Clara, teaches a struggling wife how to create a war room of prayer where she does battle on her knees against the spiritual forces of darkness. Especially those tearing her marriage apart. The final scene ends with Miss Clara in her own war room—a small closet in her house—on her knees crying out to God to raise up a generation of believers who will do battle for the Lord. 

“Raise ‘em up, Lord, raise ‘em up!” Miss Clara prayed. “Raise up warriors, Lord, who will fight on their knees!” 

If you haven’t seen the movie you should. There’s no doubt it will energize your prayer life.

Paul encourages us, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).  

Two words stick out in this verse – devoted and thankful. As a married man, I (Jason Benham), understand this well. My wife wants me to talk to her often, not begrudgingly (as if I’m forced to); but willingly. She wants me to “want” to talk to her. When I “want” to talk to her it, reveals my devotion to her and brings a relational connection.  

When we talk, I also need to be thankful. If the only time I talk to her is when I’m either critical of something or I’m asking for something—our relationship will suffer. But if I approach her with an attitude of gratitude for who she is and what she’s done, it opens her heart to me.  

Your time spent in prayer to God should be the same. You need to devote your life to talking with Him and doing it with a thankful heart for who He is and what He’s done for you. When you do, your relationship with God will blossom.