"Raise a flag and speak. Claim your enemy is beaten."

Praise and Worship with Flags – Delores Hillsman Harris

Given that my boyfriend’s nickname for me is “Jezebel” – it’s nothing short of a miracle that I managed to read this book in its entirety without bursting into flames. I’m not a die-hard atheist, but if I am honest, I am not the most tolerant of religious waffle in the same way that I am intolerant of pseudoscience or ideological arguments. However, I wanted to read the book so I had a better understanding of different contexts and uses of flags for my research project after my tutorial with Richard Reynolds where he suggested looking at prayer flags. And I won’t deny that the book did contain some statements of belief which resonated with me, I just wasn’t particularly convinced by the non-arguments put forward, and the style of writing which was very repetitious and frequently defied the grammatical rules.

I was particularly interested by the chapter on colour, and the author’s interpretations of the symbolic meaning of colours – based on passages of text from the bible, as well as the statements about "identification" with flags. I was also amused by the chapter on flag movements, which featured a series of rather cute diagrams. I found the analogies to conflict and frequent statements about “spiritual warfare” slightly off-putting, but it was nonetheless useful for me to understand how flags can be used in this sense.

Foreword

‘After reading Delores’ book, I now understand the purpose and power of flags in worship, and so will you. Finally, Delores takes us beyond our natural senses of enjoying flags in worship. She takes us to the biblical knowledge that flags can heal, deliver and set free the context of worship.’

‘The Holy Spirit intervened visibly in my life on two occasions. First, while I was driving on the Autobahn in Germany, I got lost. I called out to the Holy Spirit, “Help!” Immediately my hands released the steering wheel. The wheel turned on its own, off the highway and onto the exit ramp, from the exit ramp to the street. I then recognised where I was. My hands were given control of the steering wheel. I was surprised and amazed. I knew the Holy Spirit had taken control of the car and me.’ (page xv)

‘I am sharing what I have learned with those who already use the flags. I give careful attention to highlight uses of flags and banners in the Bible and to articulate how those uses are applicable to believers today. I hope to increase or support your understanding on how to use them. I hope this book will be a credit to what flag bearers do in the Church.’ (page xviii)

‘By the act of calling on the Lord Jesus for His help to defeat this supernatural enemy, we are waging supernatural warfare. One way to call on Him is by getting on our knees and praying. The Holy Spirit led me to another way to wage spiritual warfare. The other way is by giving praise and worship to God combined with prayer and waving the flags to Christian songs.’ (page xix)

‘The flag is a tool used as an extension of us. Flags become part of us as we dance for the Lord. The become an extension of our heart as we focus on Jesus. They enhance our worship. This enhanced worship can be very peaceful and healing for someone watching.’ (page 2)

‘the goal of using the flag is not just to look good in a worship setting. The main goal of using the flags in praise and worship is to wage spiritual warfare and show people Christ so that He can draw them to Him.’ (page 4)

‘Respect yourself. With regard to flags, that means do not compare the way you wave the flag to another person. You may be on a different level of technical ability than the other person. You are all right just where you are.’ (page 7)

‘Only touch the flag with clean hands and a pure heart. How do you become clean? You become clean by washing as Moses did whenever he entered the Tent of Meeting.’ (page 9)

‘Because there is no greatness in things. Things cannot be great. The only greatness is unselfish love. Even self-denial in itself is nothing, is almost a mistake. Only a great purpose or a mightier love can justify the waste.’ (page 17)

‘There is really no place in Heaven for a disposition like this. A man with such a mood could only make Heaven miserable for all the people in it.’ (page 19)

‘There is a connection between God and our using flags. That connection is love. You must have clean hands and a pure heart to get into God’s presence. You become clean by confessing your sin and repenting. After you repent, walk in love. It’s when you are in His presence that He can do His work with the flag.’ (page 23)

‘The first use of flags in the Bible can be found in Numbers 2:1-34 (NIV). God told the people to camp under their standard. When the Israelites set out from camp, each tribe and division of Israel assembled around its unique standard with the banners. Their identity and to what tribe they belonged was recognised by their standard.’ (page 25)

‘The scriptures are full of references to colour. As you scratch below the surface of verses, you can see what certain colours could represent. Colours are symbols. So how is colour a factor while ministering with the flags? In an earlier chapter I talked about a banner bing a standard or symbol erected on a pole. The colour is the symbol or standard raised on a pole. Flag colours are symbolic of the nature, name, or attribute of the Lord. When we raise a flag of a particular colour, we are raising a symbol of a particular attribute of God or one of His names. Also, while raising this standard, we are claiming to belong to or who or what the symbol represents.’ (page 31)

‘When we raise a purple flag, we are raising a standard or symbol that shows God has authority and royalty and is King. When I raise a purple flag, I am declaring God is my King and that He has all authority over everything. I am identifying with the God who is all-majestic. We can ask God to tell us or show us what colour flags to use.’

Purple – beauty

Red – life, judgement or redemption, forgiveness, war and power

Leaf Green – healing, life, the fruit of the spirit

Light Green – new life

Emerald Rainbow – throne of God

Rainbow – radiance, glory

Olive Green – anointing, breakthrough, healing, Holy Spirit

Bright Yellow – light, joy

White – holy, undefiled, worthy, victorious, sacred, honour and righteousness, glory

Gold – kingship, refiner, wisdom

Iron – weapon for battle, the word, power and strength

Silver – word, God’s refining process

Copper – a call to battle

Grey – glory and power of God, the smoke of the incense of the saints’ prayers

Royal Blue – royalty

Aqua Blue – blessing

Sapphire/Sky Blue – Heaven, throne of God

Orange – consuming fire, judgement, wrath, vengeance, Holy Spirit

Black/Darkness – God’s surroundings, covering, Power of God to Destroy

Brown (Dust) – worshipping, confession

Colour of a Lion (light brown) – praise

‘The above list is not all-inclusive. Other representations and colours can be found in Scripture. I encourage you to find them for yourself. There are no hard and fast rules about what colours to use. I believe what is important is that your heart is clean and that your ministry is a genuine expression of yourself to God, no matter what flag colour you use.’ (page 40)

‘Specifically, for the one who raises the flag (the flag bearer), you are to declare and say “the enemy is taken”. Raise a flag and speak. Claim your enemy is beaten.’ (page 47)

‘When we pray sincerely in faith with our armour on while raising our flags that have been consecrated to the Lord, we are identifying with Him. We do what He does (that is, put on armour and raise a flag). We are signalling to Him that we are with Him and ready to move out. We move out in prayer. He moves out to do battle in the spirit realm. Remember, vengeance is His, not ours.’ (page 50)

‘The flag bearer sends the congregation and the heavenly forces signals. The signals are those attributes that are represented by the flags. With a purple flag, the signals could be Majesty. Authority. King.’ (page 57)

‘The flag has a pole, fabric and sometimes a sleeve, ball or end cap. Four aspects of a flag’s constructions are its style, size, shape, and weight. These qualities can dictate how and when to use particular flags. There is nothing scriptural about this. It’s a matter of practicality and presentation.’ (page 69)