Year 2026: My Year of Greater Upliftments and the Excellent Spirit
7-Days Prayer and Fasting Guide to Open Up the New Year By: Akindele Opoola
Theme Scripture: "Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm." — Daniel 6:3 (KJV)
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INTRODUCTION & PROPHETIC WORD
Welcome to 2026! The Spirit of the Lord is declaring a season of Vertical Displacement. Many have spent years on the same level, running in circles, but this year, the "Wind of the Spirit" is providing a supernatural lift.
In the 2022 and 2023 seasons, we saw the Lord bring "Harvests" and "Inspirations." In 2026, He is adding the Excellent Spirit. Like Daniel in Babylon, you will not just survive; you will be preferred. Promotion does not come from the East or West, but from God. When the Spirit of Excellence is upon you, you don't struggle for promotion—promotion struggles to find you! Get ready to be set "over the whole realm" of your career, business, and ministry.
The eagle is a bird of "Greater Upliftments." When a storm comes, other birds hide in the trees, but the eagle uses the wind of the storm to lift itself higher. It doesn’t flap its wings in exhaustion; it spreads them and allows the thermal currents to carry it to heights where no other bird can fly.
As we enter 2026, the Lord is saying that your season of struggling to be noticed is over. Whether the "winds" of the global economy or the "storms" of life blow, God is using those very elements to lift you. This is not just a year of movement; it is a year of vertical displacement—moving from the valley to the mountaintop in your career, ministry, and spirit.
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Day 1: Friday, Jan 2 – Sacrifice of Thanksgiving & Praise
Focus: Honoring the Ebenezer who brought us through 2025. Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5, Psalm 100. Appreciating the Lifter of our Heads for the transition into 2026. Scriptures: Psalm 103:1-5, Psalm 116:12-17, Psalm 100.
1. Adoration: Father, I worship You for Your faithfulness throughout 2025. Thank You for preserving my life, my family, and my handiwork.
2. Gratitude: Lord, I thank You for the "small mercies" and the "big victories." Thank You for the battles You fought for me that I didn’t even know about.
3. The New Season: Father, I thank You for the gift of 2026. I praise You in advance for the "Greater Upliftments" already scheduled for my name this year.
4. Enthronement: I declare that You are the King of my year. Take Your place in my heart and home as I begin this fast.
5. Father, I thank You for the gift of life and for the grace to see the first Friday of 2026. It is not by my power, but by Your mercy.
6. Lord, I praise You for Your faithfulness throughout 2025. Thank You for the battles You fought for me in secret and the victories You gave me in the open.
7. I worship You, the Most High, because You are the one who lifts the poor out of the dust. Thank You for the "Greater Upliftments" You have already prepared for my name this year.
8. Holy Spirit, I hand over these 7 days to You. Let my sacrifice of fasting be acceptable in Your sight. I declare that 2026 is my year of soaring!
FASTING INSTRUCTIONS
• Duration: Friday, Jan 2nd – Thursday, Jan 8th, 2026.
• Time: 6:00 AM to 5pm or 6:00 PM daily. You may be flexible, you are permitted to use your discretion according to your strength
• Method: By standard, we abstain from food and drink (except water or coffee/Tea where necessary to keep your body warm in the harsh winter) to seek the face of God. Break your fast with a light meal and join in corporate or personal prayer using these points.
DAY 2: SATURDAY, JAN 3 – THE EXCELLENT SPIRIT & DIVINE WISDOM
Focus: Receiving the Daniel-kind of Grace for distinction and mental clarity. Scriptures: Daniel 6:3, James 1:5, Isaiah 11:2, Daniel 2:22.
1. O Lord, baptize me with the Spirit of Excellence today. Every trace of mediocrity and "average living" in my life, I command it to die by fire!
2. Father, grant me the Wisdom that surpasses human understanding. In my decisions this year, let me have the "Excellent Spirit" to see what others miss and solve what others find difficult.
3. I receive the Daniel Anointing! I shall be ten times better than my contemporaries. I refuse to be hidden; the light of God’s wisdom in me will command the attention of kings.
4. Every spiritual "dullness" or mental block, I command you to clear away! I receive the Mind of Christ to navigate 2026 with precision and excellence.
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DAY 3: SUNDAY, JAN 4 – CAREER, BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL UPLIFTMENT
Focus: Supernatural promotion and visibility in our daily work. Scriptures: Genesis 41:39-41, Proverbs 22:29, Psalm 75:6-7.
1. Father, by Your favor, let there be a "Greater Upliftment" in my career/business. I transition from being a "worker" to being a "leader" and a "pioneer" in my industry.
2. I decree that my handiwork shall be distinguished. Lord, bring "Destiny Helpers" and "Gatekeepers" my way who will recognize the grace of God upon my life and recommend me for higher heights.
3. Every ceiling placed upon my professional growth by envy or corporate politics, I command you to shatter in the name of Jesus!
4. I receive the Joseph Anointing for my business. Even in a "famine" or economic downturn, I shall prosper and become a solution-provider for nations.
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DAY 4: MONDAY, JAN 5 – ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, DREAMS & ASPIRATIONS
Focus: Success in learning, certifications, and the fulfillment of vision. Scriptures: Daniel 1:17-20, Habakkuk 2:2-3, Philippians 1:6.
1. Lord, grant me a retentive memory and supernatural intelligence. For every exam, certification, or professional board I face this year, I declare: Success is mine!
2. Every buried dream and aspiration, I command you to undergo a "Greater Upliftment" today. I receive the resources, the courage, and the discipline to pursue my highest goals.
3. I reject the spirit of "almost there" but never attaining. This year, I shall reach the finish line of every project I start.
4. Father, give me the "Witty Inventions" and creative ideas that will make me a household name in my field of study and aspiration.
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DAY 5: TUESDAY, JAN 6 – SPIRITUAL UPLIFTMENT, MINISTRY & THE WORK OF GOD
Focus: Impact, expansion, and the move of the Holy Spirit. Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-3, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:4.
1. Lord, let the work of God committed into my hands experience a supernatural expansion. I pray for fresh oil upon my head and fresh fire upon my altar.
2. I decree that my ministry shall not be a "valley ministry." It is uplifted to the mountaintop! Let the lost be saved, the sick be healed, and the broken be restored through the grace upon my life.
3. Father, provide every resource (financial, human, and spiritual) needed to take the Gospel to the next level. I refuse to be limited by "lack" in the work of the Kingdom.
4. I receive the grace for "Marketplace Apostleship." Let my life be a sermon that draws men to Christ in my workplace and community.
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DAY 6: WEDNESDAY, JAN 7 – INTERCESSION FOR NATIONS & LEADERS
Focus: Canada, Nigeria, and Global Gospel Expansion. Scriptures: 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 122:6.
1. We pray for Canada: Lord, let Your righteousness exalt this nation. We pray for the economy, the government, and the peace of the land. Let there be a "Greater Upliftment" in the spiritual climate of Canada from coast to coast.
2. We pray for Nigeria: Father, visit Nigeria with Your mercy. We decree an upliftment out of every economic and security challenge. Let Your Church in Nigeria continue to be a light to the ends of the earth.
3. For the Leaders: We pray for the Prime Minister of Canada, the President of Nigeria, and all world leaders. Grant them the "Excellent Spirit" to make decisions that favor Your people and promote peace.
4. For the Harvest: Lord, protect Your missionaries and ministers globally. Let the Gospel spread into the most difficult terrains, and let 2026 be a year of a massive harvest of souls.
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DAY 7: THURSDAY, JAN 8 – PROPHETIC DECREES & SEALING THE VICTORY
Focus: Walking into the manifest reality of our Greater Upliftment. Scriptures: Job 22:28, Isaiah 40:31, Revelation 12:11.
1. I decree and declare that I am starting 2026 on a high note! Every chain of stagnation is broken. I am moving from glory to glory.
2. I seal my promotion, my health, my family, and my finances with the Blood of Jesus. No weapon formed against my upliftment shall prosper!
3. I receive the mantle of the "Excellent Spirit." Throughout this year, I will walk in favor, I will speak with wisdom, and I will act with distinction.
4. It is done! I thank You, Father, because I know that as I have spoken in Your ears, so shall You do unto me. 2026 is officially my Year of Greater Upliftments! Amen!
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A FINAL WORD
Beloved, as you embark on this 7-day journey, remember that fasting does not change God, but it changes you. It aligns your spirit with the frequency of Heaven so you can receive the "Witty Inventions" and "Excellent Spirit" required for your next level.
Do not just read these prayer points—fire them! Let them proceed from your heart with the conviction that your season of stagnation is officially over. Each day you break of these fast and on the 7th day, you will already begin to see the "clouds of glory" gathering over your career, undertaken, your family, and your ministry.
LET US HEAR FROM YOU!
The Bible says we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11). I am standing in faith with you that before the end of January 2026, you will have a "Greater Upliftment" testimony to share.
• Share Your Testimony: Has God already started doing something new in your life through this guide? Please leave a comment below. Your testimony will ignite the faith of others!
• Join the Movement: If this prayer guide has blessed your spirit, feel free to share it with your congregation, your prayer groups, and your social media community. Let us spread the fire of excellence across the nations!
• Stay Connected: Click on my profile to follow my sermon updates and prayer guides throughout the year.
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