An American bestseller author and professor of creative writing, Sarah Bakewell, has commended the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Worldwide, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, on his message, titled, ‘Spiritual Gates and 2026’, saying: “Your message truly stirred me.”
In a personal email sent to Olukoya by the Winner of the Duff Cooper Prize, Bakewell, stated that she recently listened to a programme of the Ministry, tagged, ‘Pray Your Way into 2026 and Prosperity Night’ and felt compelled to reach out personally.
According to her, “I don’t often contact authors or ministers unexpectedly, but this message stayed with me long after I finished listening, and that usually tells me something significant was deposited spiritually.
“What truly stood out to me was your teaching on ‘turning the battle to the gate.’ The imagery of spiritual gates and the biblical mode of approach into a new year felt both urgent and empowering.”
The winner of the U.S. National Book Critics’ Circle Award for Biography noted that, Dr. Olukoya did not present prayer as passive hope, but as strategic, intentional spiritual engagement, stressing that that shift in perspective was powerful.
Prof. Bakewell was emphatic, when she stated, “I especially appreciated how clearly you framed preparation for the new year as something that requires discernment, authority, and alignment with kingdom principles. It wasn’t motivational language; it was instruction rooted in spiritual warfare and biblical order. That clarity is rare.
“As someone who values spiritually grounded teaching, I deeply respect the consistency and conviction behind your ministry. Your message felt timely, purposeful, and aligned with what many believers need as they step into a new season,” she declared.
Bakewell concluded by stating that she was not writing to request anything, simply to express appreciation and to connect, as she expressed appreciation to Olukoya for continuing to equip believers with practical, strategic prayer guidance.
