by A key word I am hearing for this next season is “contend”, and a key scripture is Matthew 11:12:
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force.” — Matthew 11:12 [NASB]
We must not be surprised when we are treated violently, but we should know that persecution is something that goes with our Kingdom-calling. We must not become passive or go on the defensive in the face of persecution, but we must go on the offensive to take territory from the enemy.
In 2016, I had a series of visions of great shakings coming upon the earth. Once those shakings were released, they would be like birth pangs, one after another, with periods of less intensity, and periods of great intensity.
In July 2019, I felt the Lord wanted me to announce to a gathering of thousands of Chinese in Hong Kong that those shakings would begin in Hong Kong, then would be released in a major way upon China, and then go to South Korea, and then throughout the world. That happened soon afterwards, as there were riots in Hong Kong, and then the rapid spread of COVID-19 in China, South Korea, and then throughout the world.
In that 2016 series of visions about the coming shakings, the Lord showed me that they would be marked by great polarization between light and darkness, between good and evil… an acceleration of the contrast between the wheat and the tares being readied for harvest. I believe in 2023, we are going to see this polarization accelerate even more, as forces of evil will contend for control and domination.
As the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, this will be a period where it will be extremely important for us not to allow the enemy to distract and divide us by soulish reactions focusing on our own opinions. We must not allow the enemy to get us focused on reacting to what the enemy is doing in the shakings, but we must stay focused on what the Lord is doing in the shakings, which are ultimately under His control.
This is not a season where we can afford to move in reaction to what the enemy is doing, or out of our emotions.
We must be serious about inquiring of the Lord, doing only what He is leading us to do, and in His timing and ways. Only “that which is born of God will overcome the world”.
In times of financial shakings, we must not be led by finances, but truly lean into the Lord as our Source. He will release the resources for what is truly His Kingdom-work. But the resources will increasingly be cut off from that which promotes men’s kingdoms rather than His Kingdom.
As we train and release children and youth into becoming worshippers, they will not be stolen by the enemy, but will instead plunder the enemy.
Where this becomes a priority, there are children and youth who will move in signs and wonders. There will be children and youth used in mighty ways to evangelize.
They will lead the way in demonstrations of the Kingdom of God in public places with healings and deliverance from demons. But they will be protected as they have a foundation of regular worship, and they are overseen by true spiritual fathers and mothers.
This is a season where:
“He will be a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” — Isaiah 28:6 [NIV]
There will be some major victories in certain nations that have had a widespread 2-Chronicles-7:14 prayer movement, such as recently happened in Kenya. There in Kenya, during August and September 2022, both the chairman of the electoral commission and the Supreme Court publicly admitted they had been harassed and intimidated by forces trying to get them to overturn the election of a strong Christian president, but that they stood fast for truth and justice.
We must contend for more of this in Africa. And that Africa will arise into a new season of many “sheep nations” emerging, and certain nations becoming models of nation-building.
In other nations, there will be the need for patience and perseverance. Of a kind exhibited by those who prayed for so many years for the reversal of the “Roe vs. Wade” liberalization of abortion by the Supreme Court of the USA.
Many years ago, I shared that the Lord had shown me that, when the harvest started to break through in some of the most difficult nations (such as Iran and Afghanistan), that the enemy would try, as he succeeded in doing in World War I, to stop a major missions-and-harvest movement by inciting a world war.
But I felt the prayer movement could receive the “Rees Howells” mantle and anointing to intercept this strategy of the enemy.
The Lord gave Patricia (my wife) a key understanding in Isaiah 26:20,21-27:1 that after a time of many “hiding in their rooms” (which could be applied to the COVID restrictions), the Lord would expose the shedding of innocent blood (as has happened in many nations).
Then in Isaiah 27:1, it says:
“On that day the Lord will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, with His fierce and great and mighty sword, Even Leviathan the twisted serpent; And He will kill the dragon who lives in the sea.” — Isaiah 27:1 [NASB]
We believe that a key strategy to contend against this dragon-spirit is to pray that the sword of the Lord be released to cut and bring division between those influenced by the dragon-spirit in the leadership of the CCP. Thus thwarting the plans of that demonic principality.
I received visions in 2014 of a great underwater activity near the international dateline, releasing a tsunami of glory and harvest, shaking and crumbling ancient strongholds, such as the demonic powers behind ancestor worship, idolatry, Shintoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.
I sensed it was not yet time then. But on January 15th, 2022, I received a strong confirmation that now is the time when there was an underwater volcanic eruption near the international dateline.
Scientists have said it was so powerful that it needed a new “ultra classification”; that it released a tsunami that reached the Atlantic and the Mediterranean; that it released “Lamb Waves” circling the globe and sound waves that sounded like a bell rung three times around the globe; and that it shook the atmosphere even unto outer space.
This is a time to contend that there be places of “open heavens” in Jerusalem where righteous world leaders can receive wisdom from the Lord; where Israel will receive great financial wealth from the seas; where business alliances will strengthen with the Arabian Peninsula.
But with such a move in that region, that even Saudis will bring not only wealth, but also praise to the God of Israel in Jerusalem. For a great Aliyah of Jews returning from the West; and for blessings to come upon nations aligning with the Lord’s plans and purposes for Israel.
May we all stay in the place of worship, to rise above the circumstances resulting from shakings, and to see from His perspective where we are seated in heavenly places in the Messiah Jesus. May we hear His voice of how to contend and take territory for His Kingdom and glory as His unshakable Kingdom emerges in the continuing shakings.
Rick and Patty,
Love these prayer points. Most of them, including the scriptures, confirm what Holy Spirit has revealed to Prayer Net in recent years. We will use all your prayer points to start the new year 2023!
Thank you for your leadership and faithfulness!
Prayer Net Founder
Phyllis Garrett
Shabbat Shalom Rick and Patty!
🕯 🕯 🎶 🕊🕊
I am planning on coming to Jerusalem soon. My favorite place is your prayer house in Yerushaliam. I want to bring a youngster and his mother, they’ve had a lot of struggles. Pray for this family, his name is Yuhudah. He is my favorite person on earth! 🌍 They lost their baby girl to a fentanyl overdose and human trafficking. I really want to come there to pray and bring them for healing.
That will be my first stop, I have a lot of respect for you and your ministry and the accuracy of your words resonate with my spirit.
The ancient wars were won by sound not by guns. I’m finding the shofar is very effective. Tikkun Olam ☀️ 🌍 ❤️ 🌳
God bless you and your wife Patty, looking forward to praying with you.
Katy McDowell
California
Thank you for sharing your heart for Jerusalem and the world. All believers
should be defenders of the the faith. The enemy always aims at “the precious ones”.
We join hearts with Gods army in contending for the unborn, the children and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us stand strong this year in praise, worship and prayer for all nations. The Kingdom Of Heaven has suffered violence, but with God
we are able to go up and take the country, we are more than conquerors and we
can overcome by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND THE WORD OF OUR TESTIMONY..
Let God arise!
With kindness of heart, we send our warmest Christmas blessing.
Merry Christmas,
Sam & Chong Allen
Rick and Patty, this word strongly resonates in my spirit. I shared this with those in our House Of Prayer, as well as with some of our friends. This season is a time to content in the spirit for our nations, and for the world. Thank you for sharing this with us!
In HIM…..
Pastor Audrey McIntyre
House of Good Hope
Hartford CT
Dear Rick and Patty,
We bless you! Thank you for sharing His vision and prophetic words of guidance and direction. We affirm the great need to live in that place of intimate worship so that we can hear His voice and be led by His Spirit, to both build up and tear down.
May God richly bless and keep you! May He continue to pour out dreams, visions, and manifestations of His glory as you encourage, strengthen, warn, and align the troops.
Shabbat Shalom from Kansas City, Missouri,
Lisa and Anthony Foti
Return Ministries USA Team Members
Dear Rick & Patty,
Shabbat Shalom! Your article has blessed me roundly and soundly! Today is the 1st time I have come across you and your ministry. Happy Days, as we say in Belfast, Northern Ireland!
Your revelation on the tsunami from Togo on the International Date Line was stunning! Whatq remarkable ramifications occurred, like a bell, right into space!
In September I had the privilege of visiting Israel for the first time on a Study Tour with my Pastor Johann Vizagie and his friend Andrey Gelbert, the excellent spirit filled guide from Kings Son Tours.
A rich and life-changing experience indeed, so it was.
Having spent time in Kenya before, it was exciting to hear of the Lord’s hand moving powerfully in the nation.
Thank you for your kind, loving heart as you share your wisdom with us.
God bless you both with every good gift from our Father of Lights,
Judith Van Wyk
(Recently uprooted from South Africa and transplanted in Belfast, Northern Ireland 🍀 😃)
Praise and blessing for Jesus words through the ministery HE gave you ! !
STAY BLESSED, as you are and you still be !
From new-born french old man in France, inconditionnal Israël’s friend.
Sorry about my little english ! ! !
signed gilbert.bernard3@orange.fr .
Ah Gilbert
Welcome to His family. Your English may be limited but we hear your heart
Shalom to you Gilbert
Thank you dear pastor for your love and compassion !
Please pray for my daughter Elim! She has one more than one year no communication with me , because her unbelievers friends theirs wrong lures , so she far alway from God for 7 years ! How I desire to see my daughter Elim, I just only one child that God gave me! I have cried to God for many years ! Please pray for my daughter Elim does not hate me , she can return to God quickly and love me again ! She is belongs to God , not belongs to devils , dear Jesus : You know one mother suffering heart and depression for this child Elim, she is the lost sheep , please send your angels to lead me to go home and back to church for building church together ! Please help her to leave the wrong friends’s relationship ! She needs your almighty powerful and miracles ! Dear Jesus :
How long I still need to cry and wait for her going home and love and forgive me together ! Dear Jesus:
Please show me the way , and show Elim the heart for return to You as soon as quickly ! This is my deep prayer, in the name of Jesus, A-men!
A suffering and crying mother : Sunny …from Taiwan
Dear Sunny,
Please read and re read Isaiah 54. The key word is Sing –
How to I know, because for 10 years our daughter took her 4 sons away from us and lived with a violent and abussive man (not the boys father). For a years there was no contact. For a whole year we sang hymns everynight, read the Word of God and hung on to God’s promises to us. I have just completed a study on Thankfulness to the Lord – in every situation – its not easy at the beginning but then it becomes your life.
Eventually the Lord brought her back, the boys are being healed of the hurts and the Lord is working in their lives. Our daughter is now back to teaching Sunday School – keep praying, keep thanking the Lord, keep trusting His promises.
Dear Rick and Patricia Ridings I am so grateful to the Lord for His word you have expounded for the last five (5) years the Lord has been taking me through this scriptures in Isaiah and have been praying how and when and who and where what? Praise the Lord for the wisdom that now through the Holy Spirit in you I shall be able to for God’s direction. Thanks so very much.
I am believing God to enable me to travel to Jerusalem this 2023 year. and hear and meet with you or Patricia personally.
The first time I heard Rick Ridings release the word about the volcanic eruption near the date line I immediately thought of the Freedom Convoy of truckers in Canada. They started Jan 22 (7 days after the sound of bells ringing around the world) and honked their horns (the sound of freedom) as they travelled to Parliament Hill in Ottawa Ontario. They came from the east and the west.
A unique feature of the parliament buildings is the Peace Tower. There are 53 bells that usually ring every fifteen minutes. They are currently being repaired and restored. However during the Freedom Protest the work was halted and the Dominion Carillonneur played concerts 12 pm – 1 pm on Feb 14 – 17.
“Around the biggest of the 53 carillon bells hanging in the Peace Tower reads the inscription, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill towards men” — words taken from Luke’s Christmas passage in the Bible.”
This Convoy has sparked many similar events around the world.
Hi I am very supprised there is no word about Ukraine in those prophecies which was the main topic of 2022. Is there a reason why you didn’t comment on that?
Actually, I did mention we need to continue to contend that regional conflicts not escalate into a premature WWIII. We have need contending much here in Succat Hallel that the Ukraine/ Russia conflict be contained a restrained and not spread into the nations around, and that the Lord would bring an end to that conflict in His great mercies
Thank you Rick and Patricia for the prayer alert and prayer points. We join you daily 24/7 prayer from New Zealand and Tonga. We pray for Shalom Israel and safety of IDF soliders in Gaza and release of the remaining hostages. We speak comfort to God’s people and the families who have lost loved ones on 7 Oct and the current war against Hamas and Hezbollah and enemies of Israel. The Lord God of Israel arise and destroy the enemies of Israel. ‘From the ends of the earth, we proclaim to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, His reward is with Him,
and His recompense accompanies Him.’”
Israel will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord;
and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.’ Amen. Shalom
Dear Ate,
So good to hear from you. We think of you often and hope you are doing well. We have been safe here in Jerusalem. We had a wonderful worship teaching and prayer time today. The Lord of good he is working in the midst of the storm. Lots of love, Rick and Patricia