WATCH: What to Do in a Struggling Marriage - TONY DUNGY/ALL PRO DAD CHARISMA NEWS/NEW MAN

WATCH: What to Do in a Struggling Marriage

12/28/2015 TONY DUNGY/ALL PRO DAD  charisma news/new man

You may be there. Things at home are cold. There is a tension in the air.

You and your wife have been fighting for a long time. Feelings of hopelessness or even bitterness can quickly come flooding in. The last thing you want to do at the end of a hard day is sit in your driveway not wanting to go inside because you and your wife are at odds.

When you commit your life to someone, at some point you are going to go through rocky points in the relationship. People often look at me after 33 years of marriage and assume I have a marriage with no problems.

Believe me, over the course of time, we have had our share of struggles. Everything has not always been smooth. In particular, we have had plenty of disagreements. If you have a struggling marriage, this is what I would recommend.

Focus on What God Wants

The easy thing to do is to focus on what I want over what my spouse wants. I believe our natural state is one of selfishness. If Lauren and I are facing difficulty, we always try to focus on the Lord and what He wants above all. We ask ourselves the question, "How does God want us to handle this?" It helps us to get beyond our own desires and back on the same page. I would recommend that to anyone having marital trouble.

Prayer

I would also recommend watching a movie called War Room. In it, there is a couple who has a struggling marriage. It gives some great practical tips for praying for your marriage and how to fight for one another rather than against one another. When in doubt, turning toward the Lord is always the best.

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Alveda King - "Why 'If It Bleeds, It Leads' Fails News Readers"

Alveda King

Why 'If It Bleeds, It Leads' Fails News Readers

10/1/2015 ALVEDA KING  charisma news

A boy after the Nepal earthquake. (Reuters)

Have you ever noticed that when people go to a restaurant and they get bad service, they are all too willing to make a complaint? But when they get good, or even great service, they say nothing. The same is true with most services that people receive. Sure, there is the occasional exception to the rule. But for the most part, that's just human nature.

That seems to be the case with news and current events. The media is all too happy to report all the chaos going on in our world but is not so quick to report on the good going on in everyday life. I guess the good news doesn't bring in the ratings. As the saying goes, "If it bleeds, it leads."

With everything that is going on in the world today, good is rising in the hearts of humanity. For every bad deed, there are two, although unreported, blessings to outshine them. For example, prime time TV is flooded with shows having themes of sexual temptation and violence these days. At the same time movies like War Room and Woodlawn are receiving rave reviews.

In the music world, where many, and usually the most popular ones, songs seem to contain such graphic material, both sexual and violence, that warning labels must be printed on the cover of the albums. A less well known song, "Pray for America" is resonating across the country.

A classic favorite, "This Is My Body," re-emerged at the World Meeting of Families. Tears flowed as hearts were recommitted for life.

The coverage of Pope Francis' visit to Washington, New York, and Philadelphia and his much needed message of unity brought hope to many in times of many trials.

At times we are so bombarded by the evils of the world that we feel as though we, as a single individual, are helpless to do anything about it.

But, besides what is going on in the world at large, we all live in a smaller sphere in which each one of us has an influence on those around us. If we treat each other with agape love, we can change the world one person at a time. You may be the hope for that someone you run into today.

As I travel around the country speaking at various events, I sometimes like to get the audience's participation as we sing, "This Little Light Of Mine." It reminds us that, as Matthew 5:14 says, "You [all of us] are the light of the world ..." (addition mine). You and I are called to be a light to those around us. And together we can light up the world and darkness will have nowhere to hide.

It is said that every cloud has a silver lining. The battle for life is raging, yet we are winning.

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Millions of Christians Send Clear Message to Hollywood

Sean Astin in 'Woodlawn' (YouTube)

Millions of Christians Send Clear Message to Hollywood

 9/30/2015 DEBORAH HAMILTON  charisma news

It's not often that a film centered on the power of prayer breaks big box-office numbers. But that's exactly the case with War Room, a new movie that tells the story of a marital crisis overcome by prayer. War Room, made for just $3 million, has now raked in more than $50 million after capturing the No. 1 spot earlier this month.

And War Room, from the creators of Courageous, Fireproof and Facing the Giants, is not alone. An influx of family-friendly, faith-based films is hitting the big screen this fall, including Captive, featuring the Emmy-nominated David Oyelowo and Kate Mara. The two star in the faith-based crime drama that opened on Sept. 18, where Oyelowo plays a killer on the run and Mara is his drug-addicted hostage. But underneath the gritty storyline, faith plays a significant role.

Then next month, the football drama Woodlawn, starring Academy Award winner Jon Voight and Sean Astin, follows a remarkable true story about how love and unity, fueled by spiritual revival, overcame racism and hate in Alabama in the early 1970s. Opening Oct. 16, the film is already creating buzz.

American Family Association, which often champions for family-friendly entertainment, says the attention to faith-based films this fall is evidence that Christian moviegoers are sending a message about the kind of entertainment they want to see in Hollywood. AFA adds that these faith-based, "good news" films will have an indelible impact on kids, families and society.

"American Family Association takes on many heavy issues in society, but we like to go to the movies too," said AFA President Tim Wildmon. "When entertainment, however, tears down our society and is a negative influence on our kids, we feel we must step in. At the same time, when there are wonderful options for families to watch together, we want to bring these films to the attention of everyone. For decades, the big screen has been dominated by violence, sex, drugs and crime. But this fall, there is a bit of light, and families whose dollars are driven by their values will have some great movie picks this fall. Hopefully, this trend is a glimpse of things to come and our culture will show some evidence of the impact."

Likewise, AFA's own film debut, Summer Snow, went international this summer, with screenings in several countries around the world, including Spain, Brazil, Germany and Turkey, with interest from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia and more. Released in the summer of 2014 by American Family Studios, a division of AFA,Summer Snow saw great success in the theater, on DVD and in its television debut on UPtv.

Starring David Chisum, Cameron Goodman, Garrett Backstrom, Brett Rice and Rachel Eggleston, Summer Snow tells the story of 8-year-old Hallie Benson (Eggleston), a small girl with a very big heart. Whether baking cookies for a grumpy neighbor or selling toothbrushes to help a friend, Hallie always thinks of others. Unfortunately, her "creative" ways of helping people often leave her father, Dan (Chisum), with a mess to clean up. Dan struggles to keep it all together after his wife's death. He doesn't cook, do hair or know how to help his three children without his beautiful wife and her unshakeable faith in God.

This past weekend at Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., where several AFA representatives were featured speakers and moderators, attendees had the opportunity for a sneak peek of Woodlawn, as well as Beyond the Farthest Star, which tells the story of a Democratic senator who burns a courthouse nativity and brings the national spotlight to a forgotten Texas town and a once-famous preacher.

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Was the Timing of 'War Room' Movie Release Prophetic?

9/4/2015 LIZZY LONG/BGEA  charisma news

Was "War Room" made for such a time as this?

It was like Hollywood coming to town for Kannapolis, North Carolina—population 50,000—during a movie premiere of War Room. As the red carpet rolled into the historic Gem Theatre, something stronger than excitement could be felt in the air. Maybe it was the essence of the movie—after all, prayer is a powerful weapon.

The story of War Room reveals how prayer can be more than a few fleeting words to God; it can be a strategic battle against the enemy.

As a man named Tony Jordan cheats in his career and nearly cheats on his wife, Elizabeth, financial and marriage struggles surround the family. Enter a woman named Miss Clara, who challenges Elizabeth to set up a "war room," a private place to pray for God's help in life's battles. Will this change things?

The makers of Facing the Giants, Fireproof and Courageous, the Kendrick Brothers created this film on the power of prayer in hopes that people will leave the movie desiring a more active prayer life.

"It's one thing to go to the movies and see eye candy ... but we want to leave them with something more eternal," director Alex Kendrick said.

And those who are part of the movie have already witnessed eternal results.

A young man who led the jump rope sequences in the film, teaching kids how to double-dutch, came to the producers at the end of the movie and said: "I want what you're talking about to be a part of my life. Would you pray for me?" The man accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

Others, who already had a relationship with God, were also touched by the making of the film.

Best-selling author and speaker Priscilla Shirer took on the lead acting role as a novice. Shirer, who is a real-life mother of three boys, plays Elizabeth, the mom who goes from struggling to keep her family together to a woman who gives her burdens to God in a war room, where she lines her written prayers along the walls. Yet Shirer learned more than just acting techniques.

"(This movie) made me more strategic, deliberate and intentional with my prayers ... instead of just being consistent," Shirer said.

But the reality of a war room extends far beyond the movie.

"Oh, my war room, it gets worn out," said Karen Abercrombie of Mooresville, North Carolina. "And just working on this piece brought everything home in a deeper, meaningful way."

Abercrombie plays Miss Clara, but was originally denied the part because she appeared too young for the role. She auditioned dressed in character and through her perseverance landed the role.

Alex Kendrick and the rest of the cast and crew also demonstrated perseverance in the making of the film, working 14-hour days week after week.

But despite the long days, he says he would do it again. And he's especially grateful to the churches that came alongside them in filming.

The pastors around Charlotte, North Carolina, jumped in to help when they heard about a movie uniting people in prayer. Around 85 churches assisted in the making of War Room, providing transportation and homemade meals, such as "world famous" ribs bigger than a paper plate.

"The Bible's clear we're supposed to love one another," co-producer Gary Wheeler said. "And really these churches in this area—that's what they did."

As War Room tells a story often too true in today's society—a family that seems to have it all from the outside but is crumbling within—it reveals the need for intervention. The kind of intervention that involves people asking God for help.

"I don't think it's by chance that God's going to use this movie to call people to their knees," said Shirer. "(Nor do) we really believe prayer works, because if we really did, we would actually pray and pray more. Prayer is what invites the power of heaven into the circumstances of earth."

War Room hit theaters Friday, Aug. 28.

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Steven Curtis Chapman - "Warrior" (song feat. scenes from War Room)

Stephen Curtis Chapam singing "Warrior"

Published on Aug 26, 2015

Are you a warrior? Are you fighting your battles the way God intends us to? This is the heart of “Warrior,” the new song from Steven Curtis Chapman that he wrote specifically for WAR ROOM. With its chorus including the line, “I fall on my knees and I fight like a warrior,” the song captures the spirit of the movie as well.

War Room is out in theaters on 8/28/15

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Why 'War Room' Is a Must-See Movie - J. Lee Grady

Why 'War Room' Is a Must-See Movie

 9/2/2015 J. LEE GRADY  charisma magazine

'War Room' is a must-see Christian movie. (Facebook )

I'm not a big fan of Christian movies, mainly because low budgets often result in bad acting and cheesy scripts that make even the most gracious churchgoers cringe in embarrassment. But today Hollywood insiders are admitting that the quality of Christian filmmaking is improving—and the newly released War Room is likely to take the genre to a new level.

Don't expect your typical nose-in-the-air film critics to give War Room good reviews. Its faith message is not subtle. People actually pray—out loud!—on screen, and the name of Jesus is mentioned numerous times. One of the main characters gets on his knees and asks God for forgiveness, while another walks out on her back porch and commands the devil to go to hell.

If all that religion isn't enough to drive the Hollywood elite crazy, the actors in this film talk with thick Southern accents. Even popular Bible teacher Beth Moore shows off her Texas drawl in a cameo role.

The reason for the Southern flair is that War Room was created by Alex and Stephen Kendrick, Baptist brothers from Georgia who gave us Facing the Giants, Fireproof and Courageous. Those films were panned by Hollywood, but their financial success made a few leaders in the movie business curious. They discovered that evangelical Christians have an appetite for wholesome entertainment that reinforces their beliefs. That's why Fireproof was the top-grossing independent film of 2008—and whyWar Room ended up with a stunning $11.4 million last weekend when it opened in theaters.

I won't be surprised if War Room breaks all previous records for the Kendrick Brothers. They have outdone themselves with this one. You need to see it. In fact, you should take your friends and see it as a group.

The story revolves around a middle-class couple struggling in their marriage. Elizabeth Jordan (Priscilla Shirer) is a real-estate agent who is mad at her busy husband, Tony (T.C. Stallings), because he's stressed out and angry at her most of the time. When Elizabeth takes on the job of selling the house of an elderly woman named Miss Clara (Karen Abercrombie), she begins a remarkable spiritual journey that transforms her family.

War Room gets its title from the small closet Miss Clara uses for prayer. She challenges Elizabeth to let go of her anger, submit fully to God and begin her own prayer life. "You are a warrior," she tells her young friend. Elizabeth reluctantly cleans out the walk-in closet in her bedroom and begins to fight for her marriage—at the same time that her husband is considering having an affair. By the end of the film, Miss Clara has not only mentored Elizabeth in prayer; she has also taught all of us why we need to go to war on our knees.

I don't know of any film that portrays the power of prayer like War Room. Abercrombie (who has appeared in numerous TV shows including Alley McBeal and Judging Amy) steals the show as Miss Clara, but Priscilla Shirer, who is the daughter of Dallas pastor Tony Evans, brings unexpected acting talent to the screen—especially in the scene when she decides she won't let the devil have her family or her marriage.

This movie is unabashedly Christian and might as well be rated P-I for politically incorrect. There is no profanity (Miss Clara does declare in one scene that the devil's butt has been kicked) and no sex—although a woman Tony meets at work invites him to her apartment. And the only violence occurs when a man wielding a knife confronts Elizabeth and Miss Clara. You guessed it—the old lady rebukes her attacker in the name of Jesus.

Miss Clara's bold approach to faith is what I liked most about War Room. This brave saint doesn't care what anybody thinks—she is going to pray whether you like it or not. She gets in Elizabeth's face and confronts her bad attitudes, and she gets in the devil's face and commands him to stop destroying Elizabeth's marriage. By the end of the film she's kneeling in her new prayer room in her son's house, praying up a storm for America.

This is exactly why director Alex Kendrick says he made War Room. He told Entertainment Weekly: "This movie calls people to make prayer a priority, and we believe that it's something our culture and our nation really needs — to turn back to God and to seek him in prayer."

War Room may do more than shatter box office records. It could actually inspire a fresh movement of prayer in our prayerless nation.

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma and the director of The Mordecai Project. You can follow him on Twitter at leegrady. Check out his ministry at themordecaiproject.org.

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How 'War Room' Became a Biblical Box Office Smash

9/1/2015 BRENT LANG/REUTERS  charisma news

Miss Clara, one of the characters in 'War Room' (Facebook)

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Outside of evangelical circles, the names Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick are likely to be met with blank stares.

But thanks to low-budget hits like Fireproof and Courageous, the brothers have transformed themselves into Steven Spielbergs of Christian cinema. Their names above the title are enough to open movies that are firmly pitched to the faithful.

This drawing power was firmly on display when War Room, a celebration of the purpose-driven life, stunned box office watchers by nearly dethroning Straight Outta Compton as the weekend's highest-grossing domestic release with its $11 million debut. That's particularly impressive given that the religious drama was playing on a third of the number of screens as the N.W.A biopic.

"It's a great example of the power of a brand," said Chris Stone, founder of the consumer advocacy group Faith Driven Consumer. "The Kendrick brothers' films have an authenticity with this audience. They have consistently delivered a good product that resonates with the community."

Don't count reviewers among the fans. War Room has a woeful 18 percent "rotten" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics like the Los Angeles Times' Michael Rechtshaffen dismissing the film as "mighty long-winded and wincingly overwrought."

Alex Kendrick, a former pastor who handles directing duties on the brothers' films, said the filmmakers are accustomed to the rough notices.

"Critics in Hollywood are rough with us," said Kendrick. "They don't understand why we make our movies or our worldview. But our target audience gets them and that's who we want to draw closer to a walk with God."

War Room, the story of a disintegrating marriage rescued by intense prayer, was produced for a slender $3 million and distributed by Sony's Affirm division. It is on pace to be among the Kendrick brothers' biggest hits, rivaling the $34.5 million brought in by "Courageous" and the $33.5 million generated from Fireproof. It also continues Sony's success with the genre—the studio scored with Soul Surfer and Heaven is for Real, as well as fielded the Kendricks' films.

Credit for War Room's ticket sales surge goes to its cast of African-Americans. That allowed the film to draw from pools of black and white moviegoers, an essential ingredient in its success given that polling shows that African-Americans are more religious than the U.S. population as a whole.

Nearly 90 percent of African-Americans describe themselves as belonging to a religious group, with six out of ten coming from historically black protestant churches and 15 percent hailing from evangelical churches, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. For War Room, that translated to a racially diverse opening weekend crowd that was 36 percent African-American and 42 percent Caucasian, according to exit data.

Dramatic necessity, not commercial considerations, was at the root of the decision, Kendrick claims.

"When we were working on the plot it just seemed more powerful and passionate when told through the perspective of African-Americans," said Kendrick. "I'm not sure it would have been as heart-grabbing if we hadn't done that."

Getting the word out about the picture involved a massive grassroots effort. Facebook was particularly active, as the film's page attracted more than half a million fans, though its presence on Twitter was only marginal. More important was the work that the Kendricks did to raise awareness. The brothers shot set videos to keep audiences informed about the production and prepared packets that they sent to churches that included materials that could be incorporated into sermons prior to the film's release.

"For the Kendricks, the dialog is ongoing," said Rory Bruer, Sony's distribution chief. "The word gets out there and people are talking about the movie for many months before it opens. It all results in a cool crescendo."

Sony largely steered clear of wider-reaching platforms such as television and paid email marketing, and opted for a more conservative release pattern. Instead of debuting the film on 2,500 screens or more, as it would a typical wide-release, the studio launched it across 1,135 theaters that were heavily weighted toward the South and Midwest, where the populations are more religious.

"Films like this have an intense appeal across a narrow demographic," said Seth Willenson, an industry consultant. "You can reach a targeted audience."

War Room is hardly the first faith-based film to break out. Recent releases like God's Not Dead and Heaven is for Real have routinely affirmed the power of this audience. But when Hollywood has tried to commodify what the Kendricks do, by steering clear of the Biblical literalism and trying to make religious stories palatable for secular crowds, the results have been mixed. Noah made money but kicked up a firestorm of controversy with its departures from the Old Testament, while Exodus: Gods and Kings, an attempt to refashion the story of Moses as a Gladiator-style adventure, flopped.

"We're certainly always grateful for themes of redemption and faith in films," said Kendrick. "Where we have problem is when they take our most respected scripture and twist it in a way that is at odds with our beliefs."

Kendrick hopes that studios will take less artistic license with upcoming religious epics such as Ben-Hur and Risen, the story of a Roman centurion tasked with investigating reports of Jesus' resurrection.

"We're hopeful that these will be faithful to scripture or to the original story, and if they are, we will flock in droves," he said.

© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.

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War Room - Official Trailer - Opens Aug. 28, 2015

From the Kendrick Brothers, the award-winning creators of Fireproof and Courageous, comes a powerful new film that will inspire moviegoers to start fighting their battles the right way—through prayer. WAR ROOM, in theaters August 28. http://warroomthemovie.com/

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From the award-winning creators of Fireproof and Courageous comes WAR ROOM, a compelling drama with humor and heart that explores the power that prayer can have on marriages, parenting, careers, friendships, and every other area of our lives.

Tony and Elizabeth Jordan have it all—great jobs, a beautiful daughter, and their dream house. But appearances can be deceiving. Tony and Elizabeth Jordan’s world is actually crumbling under the strain of a failing marriage. While Tony basks in his professional success and flirts with temptation, Elizabeth resigns herself to increasing bitterness. But their lives take an unexpected turn when Elizabeth meets her newest client, Miss Clara, and is challenged to establish a “war room” and a battle plan of prayer for her family. As Elizabeth tries to fight for her family, Tony’s hidden struggles come to light. Tony must decide if he will make amends to his family and prove Miss Clara’s wisdom that victories don’t come by accident.

In theaters now and filled with more of the authentic characters loved by millions in previous Kendrick Brothers’ films, WAR ROOM is a vivid reminder that prayer is a powerful weapon.

Watch the Official Trailer

Christian Leaders: 'War Room' Could Change a Nation (with trailer link)

Christian Leaders: 'War Room' Could Change a Nation

8/21/2015 PAUL STRAND/CBN  charisma news

'War Room' has the potential to change the nation. (Facebook/War Room)

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War Room comes to theaters Aug. 28 and Christian leaders who received a recent sneak peek at Atlanta's Convergence Conference are singing its praises.

They're saying this cinematic tale of one woman teaching another to go to war spiritually in her prayer closet could be nation-changing.
 
"If you're really going to fight and be engaged in these last days battles for the Lord, we're going to have to do it in our prayer closets first," Kay Horner, Awakening America Alliance executive director, told CBN News.

"War Room is something that helps us realize that unless we engage in prayer in our personal lives and become an example in our families, to our children, that we're really just playing around and kind of like shadow-boxing," she added.

One thing the movie highlights is why the word "war" is right in the middle of the term "prayer warrior."

"I'm really happy to see a movie—a Christian movie—that talks about the most pivotal topic for a Christian: spiritual warfare," Atlanta's Carli Eli said. "The enemy is out  there to steal, kill and destroy. And to see these characters really take that ownership with the presence of the Lord and take back their homes, their families, their marriages, their communities—it was just fantastic."

Eli said War Room's main message to her was, "We do have the power and the authority in the name of Jesus...that we should not walk in fear, that we should walk with the power of God to destroy all principalities and powers of darkness, and just walk in that victory that God has laid out for our lives."

"It's probably the most significant word from God to the Body of Christ that I've heard in the last 20 years," David Franklin, Georgia coordinator for the National Day of Prayer team, said of the film.

Franklin believes it will teach everyday believers, "I can do this. I can grab a hold of God Himself.'"

"And just by getting into the Word is the way to do that," Theresa Cantrell, Georgia Capitol coordinator for the Awakening America Alliance, said.

Cantrell had special praise for the movie's heroine basing her prayers on Bible passages.

"The way she had the Scriptures and she actually prayed the words of God, that Word came alive. It's the Living Word," she said.

Franklin pointed to research showing 58 to 60 percent of Christians feel stuck in their relationship with Christ.

"Number one way to get somebody unstuck? It's praying over an open Bible 15 minutes a day," he said. "Praying over an open Bible, those people's joy goes up, service goes up, and abundant life, giving, everything radically changes."

"Go on your knees, get on your face, pray the Scripture, pray the truth, and you'll see transformation," Bryan Davidson of Cumming, Georgia, said after seeing War Room.

Davidson talked about how a group of female prayer warriors changed his life.

"I'm saved because my mom and her prayer ladies, they prayed for me," he said. "It caused me to get real uncomfortable and it led me to Jesus."

Pastor Corey Lee of Atlanta's Convergence Church said War Room will provide a valuable education for many believers.

"We want to pray, but a lot of us don't know how to pray," Lee pointed out. "I think this is an historic movie that's going to shape the way the Body of Christ functions in America."

Genendal Fratantuono came out of the sneak preview emotionally touched.

"Look at my face: at the tears, my makeup all messed up," she said. "This is going to motivate people to pray and to trust God to give answers to the cries of their hearts. So it's wonderful."

War Room, like the Bible itself frowns, on lukewarm Christianity. Cantrell tied that into how she believes God is looking at America today.

"He doesn't want the half-hearted seeker," she said. "He wants someone who's desperate for Him and I think that's why here in America He's let us get a little bit desperate. He's let us see a degree of brokenness we've never seen before so that we would know we can't fix this ourselves."

That's one of the reasons Davidson said of the film, "It just gives us exactly what we need for the times that we're in right now. It's perfect."

Franklin, Cantrell, and Horner are all part of a national team organizing prayer gatherings this Sept. 11 called Cry Out America.

They believe it's no coincidence "War Room" is coming out just before those prayer gatherings.

"With War Room being released on August 28, we're hoping it's just going to be a real mobilization force to get people out at noon at their county courthouses on 9/11 to cry out to God for a Christ Awakening in America," Horner said.

"What God wants for a family, for a person, for a nation, has to become what we want," Cantrell added.

War Room - watch trailer: Movie

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'War Room' a Call to Do Battle on Your Knees - movie

'War Room' a Call to Do Battle on Your Knees

By Charlene Aaron

CBN News Reporter

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

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DALLAS -- "War Room," the latest faith-based film from brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, follows the turbulent marriage of a middle class couple and highlights the difference that prayer can make.

Best-selling author and Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer makes her big screen debut as Elizabeth Jordan, a busy, fed-up wife, mom, and realtor.

Having never acted in a movie before, she said she was surprised when she was asked to play the role.

"When they said we would like for you to be the lead in the film -- not just have a 'lil part in the film, be a lead in the film -- I was like, 'Have y'all lost your minds?'" she laughed.

A Boiling Point

In the film, the Jordan's rocky marriage constantly reaches the boiling point.

Shirer, daughter of well-known pastor Tony Evans, worked with the Kendricks on their blockbuster film "Courageous," writing the resolution for women from the film. 

"When we were going into 'War Room,' we were thinking we would love to have someone like Priscilla Shirer who would play this role," Stephen Kendrick said. "So we were writing scenes with her in mind, thinking what would Priscilla do in this situation."

Actor T.C. Stallings plays Shirer's husband, a successful pharmaceutical rep. As a former player with the Arena Football League, he told CBN News he related to his character's struggle with pride and putting God first, a problem he believes a lot of men face.

"I said, 'Lord, there's some things about Tony Jordan that I actually experienced,'" he said. "Football was god for me."

"It provided the fame, the notoriety, the finances, so I put everything into it. Tony Jordan does the same thing," he explained.

In the 'War Room'

Using the analogy of military strategy, "War Room" expounds on what happens when the main character Elizabeth learns the key to praying in her closet.

"In the Christian walk we often try to figure it out on our own, get in over our heads, then run to God in our war room, our prayer closet if you will, and say, 'God, what are you doing?'" Director Alex Kendrick explained.

"And so we use that parallel in the movie to say that we are supposed to go to the Lord first," he said.

"God is looking down saying, 'I'm the only one who can change this culture and I'm the only one who can change the human heart. If you will come before me, then I will move mightily on your behalf,'" Stephen Kendrick said.

Popular speaker and author Beth Moore makes a cameo appearance in the film. She agrees that some people underestimate the power of prayer.

"What happens is that people give up," she said. "Anybody that doesn't believe in the power of prayer quits too soon."

Actress Karen Abercrombie plays Miss Clara, an elderly woman who enlists Elizabeth's help in selling her home while encouraging her to fight for her family, on her knees.

"Miss Clara is a 77-year-old widow and she is a prayer warrior and she's funny, she's kind, and she is super passionate about the Lord," Abercrombie said.

"For Elizabeth it's kind of slow and steady," Shirer explained. "She has to keep meeting with Miss Clara because she has to help her sell her house. But she's kind of like, 'Alright, stop asking me personal questions about my relationship with the Lord.'"

More than a Movie

Many say "War Room" is more than just a movie. For the Kendricks it's their first independent project apart from their church Sherwood Baptist. 

They also say it's a call for Christians to seek the Lord for the answers to the problems in their lives, in our nation, and the culture.

"We pray that people will watch this film and that they will, yes, feel the tension, and the drama, laugh with us, cry at certain point," Alex Kendrick said. "But by the end be inspired and reminded about the powerful weapon that prayer can be to fight the right enemy, the right way and that they'll want to go home and say I have to amp up my prayer life."

Cast members said they learned more than just lines from this project.

"I will say that I have become more strategic," Shirer said. "It reminds you every day to be diligent about what your prayer life is."

Abercrombie testified to the power of powerful prayer in her and family.

"I've seen family members come to the Lord after some serious prayer and so I was able to pull on those things when I went into that prayer closet," she said.

A Lasting Impact

Moviegoers who watched the premiere of "War Room" have given it rave reviews.

"The characters brought to life what so many of us can relate to in our lives and our own world and it gives hope," moviegoer Suzanne Trahan said.

"It gives an answer to all the difficulty we all struggle with--for such a time as this," she added.

Matt Jacobs of Dallas also said he thought it was excellent.

"I found myself crying a lot throughout this movie," he admitted.

You can watch "War Room" for yourself when it hits theaters on August 28.

Glenn Beck Red Carpet Reaction to 'War Room'

Gospel Artist Crystal Aikin Reacts to 'War Room'

Moviegoer Suzanne Trahan Reacts to 'War Room' Premiere

Moviegoer Matt Jacobs Reacts to 'War Room' Premiere