Deep beneath the central London streets of Westminster, there lies an inter-connecting group of government offices, full of hidden corridors, corners and cubbyholes. If its walls could talk, they would be telling stories of clandestine conversations and critical decisions.
Collectively called the ‘Cabinet War Rooms’, and also known as the ‘Churchill War Rooms‘, this top-secret complex became the heart of Britain’s war machine during the Second World War.
It was the covert place where the Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, could safely gather government ministers, military experts and other advisors, to strategise together; the concealed place where they spent many tense days (and sleepless nights) devising plans that were crucial to tackling the unfolding conflict.
(If you have ever visited the Imperial War Museum, you might have been on an underground tour to see this historic site, which still looks exactly the same as when the war ended in 1945 – and if you haven’t yet been, it’s well worth the price of the entrance fee!)
There have been several moments, in recent weeks, when I have found myself thinking about the Cabinet War Rooms.
Partly because we keep hearing hints of a possible Third World War hovering on the horizon. Partly because last month marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day, one of the key turning points in securing the Allies victory in the Second World War. And partly because, following this month’s General Election, I’ve been picturing the new Prime Minister gathered around a table, with his government ministers, strategising together, to deliver all that they have promised.
But I have also been pondering how the Cabinet War Rooms speak to my Christian faith.
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The reality is that all of us are involved in a spiritual war, whether or not we are aware of it.
But the spiritual war is not like a worldly war.
“For though we live in the world,” the Apostle Paul writes, in 2 Corinthians 10:3, “we are not carrying on a worldly war.” Then adding, in Ephesians 6:12, “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
In the spiritual war, the outcome has already been determined. The end of the book has already been written. The victory has already been won.
Our Enemy was defeated, once and for all, by Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, and his resurrection from the dead, 2000 years ago.
But until such time as Jesus’ returns, we need to keep reminding the Enemy that he has lost the spiritual war – and this is where the ‘Cabinet War Rooms’ come in.
The heart of the spiritual war machine is won – or lost – in the secret place. It we want to win it, we need to spend regular time in the secret place, in our own spiritual ‘Cabinet War Room’, with Jesus. When days are tense, and nights are sleepless, we need to hide ourselves away with him.
It’s in the secret place what he will give us battle tactics, and help us strategise. It’s in the secret place that he will give us supernatural insights, and help us pray, plan and prepare. It’s in the secret place that he will give us spiritual weapons, and help us work out which ones we need to pick up and use.
To quote the Apostle Paul again, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)
If we want to demolish spiritual strongholds, we need divine power. If we want divine power, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And if we want the Holy Spirit, we need to ask the Father.
Hunkering down with God, in ways that are hidden from view, is never to be underestimated.
Imagine what could happen if your secret place, like the Cabinet War Rooms, were to become the engine room that turns the tide on the direction of the spiritual war over your household, your street, your neighbourhood, your region, your nation, the world!
How would you feel about that?
***
With this in mind, I’ve got two strands of reflection for you to ponder:
Firstly, have you ever considered the need to have a spiritual ‘Cabinet War Room’ where you can go and spend time regularly with Jesus? If you have one, what would you recommend to others about how to make it effective? And if you don’t yet have one, what would it take to persuade you it could be a good idea?
Secondly, how difficult or easy do you find it to hide yourself away in a secret place, even for just five minutes? If you find it difficult, what practical steps could you take to carve time out of your busy life? And if you find it easy, what top tips might you be willing to share with the rest of us?
As ever, constructive comments are welcome below!
(Please note: This is my ‘thought for the month’ reflection for July. You can find all my ‘thought for the month’ reflections here.)
If you enjoyed reading this, you might also enjoy some of my other musings on spiritual warfare, such as these ones here and here.
Photo via Pixabay.
12 Comments
I love the idea that we can each have War Rooms, hidden away but all interconnected in the Spirit. We can be praying, physically alone, but spiritually part of God’s battle plan. Sometimes it’s not until a situation changes and there is breakthrough, that you discover who else was praying for the same outcome.
I was praying for years for a young person who had gone off the rails. They returned to Jesus last summer and shortly afterwards I found out that 7 of their Christian friends were praying and fasting for them to re-commit to faith in God! God is faithful!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Jackie. Thanks also for sharing the encouraging story of the young person for whom you were praying. Praying in our spiritual war room really does make a difference!
Thanks Joanna. For many years, I have had a daily Quiet Time, as it used to be called. I study scripture, sometimes with a commentary. Then I pray for several organisations I support, and people. Particularly for my family. On weekdays, I send them a text and a comment to encourage and challenge. I am 85 today!!! Thank you Lord for bringing me thus far and please show me how to spend the rest of my days here. Be blessed Joanna and sending love in Jesus. Andrew
Happy Belated Birthday, Andrew! And thank you for your reminder of how important it can be to have daily Quiet Times with the Lord. I’m so glad yours continue to bring you blessing and encouragement.
Thank you for this timely reminder. The battle is very real and it’s so important to keep close to God.
Thanks for commenting Janet. I’m glad it’s been a timely reminder.
Some time ago I watch a film called The War Room, in which an elderly lady taught a younger lady the importance of a prayer war room, and how to use it. I loved watching that film and I immediately wanted a war room of my own. In the film, set in America, the war room was a walk in cupboard. I don’t have any space like that in my house, so my war room is the chair I sit on every day to pray and read and spend time with God. Since I began sitting on that chair we have built a summer house that I use for painting and craft, and I now have an extension to my war room. I love the summer house because I’m often there by myself and God speaks to me there in different ways than the ways he uses when I’m on my chair. But I waited 16 years for my summer house proving that you don’t need and “exclusive” place, just somewhere you can feel God’s presence and make time for him to speak. Thank you for this reminder Jo that we are fighting for the Kingdom and the war is won.
Thanks for letting me know about this film, Elizabeth. It’s one that I’ll have to look up! It’s so good that you have a chair, and a summer house, both of which are places that count as your spiritual war room. What a blessing!
Yes – your article reminded me of this film which is excellent. It can be easy to forget that Jesus has won the victory – it’s not an equal battle. When I am struggling I remind myself of Jesus’ words on the cross “It is finished” (FINISHED!!!) – Satan needs reminding too!
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, Nicki. It’s so good to remind ourselves, and Satan, of those words of Jesus on the cross. I couldn’t agree more!
Yes, last Wednesday our small church engaged in 24 hours of prayer and fasting. One or more people were in the building continuously through the day and night, while others prayed at home, and the Lord showed us a new way to reach the community and gave us renewed instructions for our lives. We also prayed about a forthcoming venture in house to house visiting. The war cabinet room is a good analogy.
Thanks for this encouragement, Arnold. I’m so glad to hear about the recent prayer and fasting initiative that your church has undertaken – and I hope it yields much fruit.