When going into battle and facing the toughest fights in our lives, how do we see the outcome? Do we see ourselves bound, bloody and defeated with war wounds or do we see ourselves strong, courageous and victorious? As kids, didn’t we picture ourselves as winning, standing tall, mighty and triumphant? Interestingly enough, if we practice certain principles and put into practice our “War Room” we can be triumphant.

The War Room. Prayer is a powerful weapon.

In Alex and Stephen Kendrick’s “War Room”, husband and wife, Tony and Elizabeth are blessed with great careers and a beautiful house and daughter. Tony and Elizabeth begin to face marriage problems and are constantly arguing with each other. Elizabeth meets with a new client, Miss Clara who challenges her to take off her fighting gloves, establish a “war room” and a battle plan for prayer, and put on the armor of God.

Round 1: Take off the fighting gloves.

We constantly surround and overwhelm ourselves with distractions.

So many things are running through our mind each and every day.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at a bill, a team’s ranking, a study guide, a sick patient in a hospital, a politician or a relationship not knowing how I was going to deal with it: how I was going to pay that next bill, win that next game, ace that next exam, provide comfort, cast my vote, or resolve that relationship problem?

There are some things in this world that are just out of our reach; some things that we can’t possibly control and that is okay. I promise you, it is okay.

How am I so sure of that?

Because just like Miss Clara says,

“My God is faithful, and my God is powerful, and my God is in charge.”

So take off those fighting gloves. Stop trying to fight these impossible and tiring battles. Let go and let God.

“I shouldn’t fight God because He always wins.” – Miss Clara

Round 2: Establish a “war room” and a battle plan.

If you’re familiar with military strategies and fighting techniques, the war room is a place to strategize. It’s a place to come together and plan out a step by step battle plan for that next battle.

Throughout the movie "War Room", Miss Clara challenges Elizabeth to take off the fighting gloves and establish this war room, a place to create this battle plan together with God to fix her marriage problems and pray for her husband, Tony. Fighting against the problems Satan throws at us aren't easy to do alone.

"I think you’ll find that when you let Him, God is a good defense attorney. Trust it to Him. And then you can turn your focus to the real enemy.The one that wants to remain hidden. The one that wants to distract you, deceive you and divide you from the Lord and from your husband. That’s how he works. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. And he is stealing your joy, killing your faith, and trying to destroy your family. If I were you, I would get my heart right with God. And you need to do your fightin’ in prayer. You need to kick the real enemy out of your home with the Word of God,” advices Miss Clara.

This motivated Elizabeth to go back home and create this battle plan with God. She was tired of losing this constant battle with her husband, with the devil. She knew that arguing wasn't going to resolve anything; it was only going to destroy her family. Elizabeth found that the place to start, was to tell Satan to get out of her home, get our of her life, and to leave her family alone so she says, “I am so sick of you stealing my joy. But that’s changing too. My joy doesn’t come from my friends, it doesn’t come from my job, it doesn’t even come from my husband. My joy is found in Jesus, and just in case you forgot, He has already defeated you. So go back to hell where you belong and leave my family alone!”

In Matthew 6:6, Matthew relays God’s words and says, “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.”

Victories are a result of winning many battles throughout your life. Battles are won by arming yourself with the word of God. Arming yourself with the word of God starts with freeing yourself from distractions, taking off those fighting gloves and praying to God, asking Him for help.

Round 3: Put on the armor of God.

Sometimes we get tunnel vision and like to take control. Sometimes we let the devil's distractions consume our lives. Sometimes we like to take on these battles that the devil throws at us by ourselves out of pride. But sometimes it's too much. Sometimes the fighting gloves aren't enough. And all of the time, God's armor will protect and defeat the devil's strategies.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil… then after the battle, you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alerted and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” – Paul (Ephesians 6:13-18).

When going into battle and facing the toughest fights in our lives, how do you see the outcome?

The spiritual armor; if you have this on, you will be victories.