I recently created an image (below) of this jolly chap raising a Kingdom standard over land that just looks suspiciously like where I live. There’s a lot of ‘flagism’ going on at the moment, and not all of it leaves a positive taste. I’ll leave my own perspective on that to myself, but I’m reminded that the Lord God is described as ‘Jehovah Nissi’ – the LORD is my Banner – by Moses after the defeat of the Amalakites in the battle in Exodus. God is the sign, the standard, the banner or signal who is lifted up. In this episode, it was a staff that Moses literally held up as he prayed, with his arms supported by his Lieutenants, Aaron and Hur. As the staff was raise, so the battle went well. As they fell, the victory waned. Here’s the importance of prayer and intercession for the spiritual battle.
Banners are a source of identity, a rallying point in battle, and a symbol of our gathered allegiance, and in that sense, declaring Yahweh as our Banner makes complete sense. We are under him.
I grew up in a movement that had a trinitarian banner – the red, yellow and blue of the Salvation Army flag. Red representing the blood of Christ, blue the Holiness of God the Father, and yellow, the fire of the Holy Spirit. It was our symbol of our unity under-God, a reminder of our call to be in him, to represent him and fight the Kingdom battles we were called to, and to advance. It was a symbol of our underlying doctrine…and a symbol from which you could preach a gospel message using its colours. As a symbol, it was genius and did a lot of what a good symbol does…it points towards something greater than itself.
As we seek to raise the Kingdom of God banner in our day, here are the kings of things we can be praying, declaring, and longing to see, that might well constitute the raising of a banner:
1. God’s Sovereignty and Lordship
Scripture: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
Truth: All the earth belongs to the Lord. All nations, governments, and rulers are under His authority.
Prayer Activation: Lord, establish Your throne over the nations. Let every power that resists Your will bow before You.
2. Revival and Salvation
Scripture: “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 45:22)
Truth: Salvation will spring forth across the earth. Multitudes from every tribe and tongue will turn to Jesus Christ.
Prayer Activation: Father, open hearts, send laborers, and release a great harvest of souls in every land.
3. Justice and Righteousness
Scripture: “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24)
Truth: justice will overthrow corruption and oppression, and righteousness will be established in the nations.
Prayer Activation: Lord, expose lies, uproot wickedness, and raise up leaders who walk in truth and integrity.
4. Peace and Protection
Scripture: “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:7)
Truth: increase of Christ’s government of peace in every nation, silencing the voices of war, terror, and destruction.
Prayer Activation: Prince of Peace, release Your shalom over regions in conflict and cover Your people with divine protection.
5. Healing and Restoration
Scripture: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” (Joel 2:25)
Truth: that God is restoring what has been stolen by sin, war, disaster, and injustice. Nations will be healed and rebuilt.
Prayer Activation: Lord, heal lands devastated by violence, famine, and natural disasters. Bring renewal to broken economies and families.
6. The Reign of Christ
Scripture: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.” (Revelation 11:15)
Truth: the kingdoms of this world are becoming the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. His reign is eternal.
Prayer Activation: Father, let Christ’s authority be revealed in governments, economies, and societies until the nations reflect Your glory.
7. Unity of the Body of Christ
Scripture: “That they may be one… so that the world may believe.” (John 17:21)
Truth: the Church of Jesus Christ will rise in unity, love, and power, becoming a prophetic witness to the world.
Prayer Activation: Lord, break division in the Church. Unite believers across nations and denominations to stand as one Body in Christ.
8. The Outpouring of the Spirit
Scripture: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (Joel 2:28)
Truth: a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon every nation, igniting revival and awakening across generations.
Prayer Activation: Holy Spirit, come with fire. Anoint the young and old, and release signs, wonders, and miracles as testimony to the nations.
END NOTE: My friend, Barbara, in seeing this image on Facebook, has set about making a banner for us to raise – one that may serve as a visible reminder of call to be those who battle on our knees for the liberation of our communities into the Freedom that comes in Christ. A battle worth fighting, and a banner worth raising in our day!
Andrew S M Clark 