Worship & Warfare Banner Stories

Banners Bring Unity

Last month, Community Ministry Center in Canton, Michigan invited Lynda Turnbull to come and hold a banner workshop for us. As Lynda began to teach us the Biblical use and meaning of banners, we began to experience the power of unity as a diverse group of people came together and "spoke" the universal language of banners.

It was an awesome sight to see 30 people in our "Warhouse" (a warehouse that we have converted into a worship and warfare centre) lifting up the large banners and moving as one as Lynda directed us, much like an orchestra conductor would direct a grand symphony. This must have been the picture in Solomon's mind when he described his beloved in Song of Songs 6:10 as "…awesome as an army with banners". As Lynda put it, "Our enemy, the devil, is terrified when he sees a banner or standard raised."

As each banner was hoisted into the air and began to declare and proclaim the banners name, such as Restoration, Healing, Glorious Victory etc.; the enemy was put on notice and began to flee just like the Bible says in Isaiah 59:19: "When the enemy shall come in, like a flood the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him." As a result, many at the workshop experienced physical healing, emotional healing and deliverance.

One other extraordinary result of the workshop was the number of men in attendance and the way they were released into their authority as standard bearers. In the Old Testament, standards (another name for banners) always went ahead of the army in battle and were carried by men.

One of the most powerful moments of the workshop came when the men used the banners and circled the women while verbally repenting and asking forgiveness for wounds inflicted upon them through verbal, physical and emotional abuse. Tears began to flow down the faces of the women, who were experiencing deep healing as the men humbled themselves before the ladies and raised up the banners as a symbol of honor and respect.

There is a unity coming to the Body of Christ that will fulfill the words of Jesus in John 17:23: "…May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." The big question is: What can possibly bring such unity to the Church?

Unity hinges on a people having a universal language. For followers of Jesus Christ, I believe that flying banners are one of those universal languages, along with sound and speaking in tongues.

One example of the extraordinary power of unity exemplified through a universal language is found in Genesis 11: "But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." Genesis 11:5&6 Amazing! When people come together and move in unity, scripture says, "…nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them."

It has been several weeks now since our workshop and our church is continuing to experience a new level of unity and power as we fly the banners during worship and use them in prophetic acts. Many people have already asked when we are going to hold another banner workshop and we are looking forward to having Lynda return again soon and teach us even more on the use of banners in worship and warfare.

For any Pastors or Ministry Leaders who have never experienced a Banner workshop in their church, I would say prayerfully consider it. God uses these workshops to release something fresh and powerful to His people and bring them to a new level in Him.

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