American best selling author commends Olukoya

An American bestselling author and Professor of Creative Writing, Sarah Bakewell, has commended the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Worldwide, Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, for his message:  “Spiritual Gates and 2026.”

Bakewell, winner of the Duff Cooper Prize, conveyed her admiration in a personal email to Olukoya after listening to a programme of the ministry entitled “Pray Your Way into 2026 and Prosperity Night”.

In the message, she wrote: “Your message truly stirred me. 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.”

According to her, one of the most striking aspects of the message was Olukoya’s teaching on “turning the battle to the gate.” She noted that the imagery of spiritual gates and the biblical approach to entering a new year felt both urgent and empowering.

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Bakewell, who also won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography, observed that Olukoya presented prayer not as passive hope but as strategic and intentional spiritual engagement, describing the perspective as powerful.

“I especially appreciated how clearly you framed preparation for the new year as something that requires discernment, authority and alignment with kingdom principles,” she wrote.

“It wasn’t motivational language; it was instruction rooted in spiritual warfare and biblical order. That clarity is rare.”

She further expressed admiration for the consistency and conviction behind Olukoya’s ministry, describing the message as timely and purposeful for believers entering a new season.

Bakewell concluded that she reached out not to request anything but simply to express appreciation and connect, thanking Olukoya for continually equipping believers with practical and strategic guidance in prayer.