Before taking part in the Fast of Daniel, I was extremely indecisive, constantly up and down in my faith. I allowed my emotions to lead me—sometimes giving my all to draw closer to God, only to give up shortly after. My mind was weak, and I was filled with doubts about receiving the Holy Spirit.

Initially, I joined the Fast of Daniel simply because everyone else was doing it. But as it progressed, God began to reveal to me why I truly needed to take it seriously. I realised I was growing weary of the cycle of instability, and if I genuinely wanted direction from God, I had to silence everything else and choose to draw nearer to Him.

At first, the Fast was difficult. Since we were in lockdown, I spent a lot of time at home, trying to avoid filling my days with distractions. But something about this Fast marked me—because, for the first time, I genuinely wanted to know who God was. I was no longer just participating—I was investing in building a relationship with Him, fully surrendering myself to Him.

I received the Holy Spirit during an online service on a Sunday morning. Doubts tried to creep in, but as I sought God, I became completely certain that I had given Him everything He had asked of me. When the Holy Spirit came, it felt as though my soul was being embraced, and I experienced a peace I had never known before.

Now, my spiritual life is stable. I know what I want, and I am sure of who I am. My mind is stronger, fully focused on God and His will for me. I have peace, the assurance of my salvation, and I continue to grow and develop in my faith every day.

Tia Bronx

When I first came to the Universal Church, I was weighed down by insecurities, pornography, sleepless nights, and grudges. Over time, I overcame all of these struggles, yet I still felt empty inside. That was when I realised that I needed the Holy Spirit, because only He can truly fulfil a person.

Then, the Fast of Daniel was announced, and I determined that this would be the moment I received the Holy Spirit. I did everything to call God’s attention—waking up in the early hours to seek Him, evangelising more, and dedicating myself fully. However, I came to a realisation: I still needed to ask my parents for forgiveness. I wrestled with the thought, not wanting to do it, but I knew it was necessary—so I did.

The next day, while meditating on Romans 8:9, I read that those who do not have the Holy Spirit do not belong to Him. That truth hit me deeply, and I decided that today would be the day I received the Holy Spirit. I wouldn’t rest until it happened. At that point, I had the certainty that I had done everything God had asked of me, and the next day, on the 20th day of the Fast of Daniel, I received the Holy Spirit.

Now, I know exactly what joy and peace truly are, because I have them within me. I also carry the assurance of my salvation. Nothing else can fulfil a person except the Holy Spirit.

– Emmanuella

The Fast of Daniel has been a blessing from the very start. I haven’t just been renewed — it has given me a strong spiritual purpose, allowing me to grow from strength to strength. It has strengthened both my mind and body, helping me to develop and deepen my spiritual life.

My family has noticed the difference; I am a completely different person compared to who I was back then, and that transformation has taken place over the past 15 years.

Vonette Baird-George

When I first started taking part in the Fast of Daniel, it was more out of obligation. I felt it was something I was required to do. Because of this, the Fast had little impact on me for years, as I hadn’t grasped its true significance.

However, in December 2020, I decided to take the Fast seriously, and that’s when everything changed. My relationship with God deepened — not in a mechanical way, but with a genuine thirst to understand who I was before Him and to learn what He required from me.

In the busyness of daily life, filled with constant noise, it can be difficult to hear God’s voice because it is subtle. But through the Fast, I was able to silence distractions and draw even closer to Him, coming out more spiritually strengthened each time. Now, each time I participate, I go from strength to strength.

Desreen Samuel

“Before coming to the Universal Church, I was a very sad person and was trapped in destructive habits, such as smoking. I’d seek validation through relationships and often pretended to be someone I wasn’t just to feel accepted. On top of that, my family was broken, so I felt really lost.

I had participated in Fasts of Daniel before, but I never truly committed. I would start with good intentions but never followed through. However, when a specific Fast of Daniel was announced, I made a firm decision: this time, it would be MY Fast of Daniel, and I would receive the Holy Spirit. I became completely focused on that goal. It was all I could think about.

Days went by and I still hadn’t received the Holy Spirit, but I refused to let that discourage me. Then, during a special VYG meeting, God revealed that I had been living in pretence. Even in my prayers, I was only saying what I thought God wanted to hear. That moment humbled me, and I realised I had to be completely sincere.

On the Friday before the conclusion of that Fast, we had a night vigil and I was determined that this would be the night I received the Holy Spirit. After the service, the pastor invited those who wanted the Holy Spirit to stay. I knew I wouldn’t leave until it happened.

God was telling me to simply believe – to trust that I could receive His presence. As we stood on the altar, I surrendered everything and believed. That was the moment I received the Holy Spirit.

Now, I no longer chase approval or wear a mask. Challenges still come, but I don’t run to smoking or relationships to escape them. Instead, I turn to God, knowing He is the one who guides me.”

Sara Pisano

“I was invited to the Universal Church by a friend, and I could see how much he had changed. At the time, I followed the crowd and lived from party to party, yet I still felt empty. It reached a point where I wouldn’t even remember certain moments, only seeing myself later in Snapchat stories, making a fool of myself.

My first real interaction with the church was through Real Talk. I remember my pastor showing a video of a man who claimed to be a Christian, yet he promoted and listened to rappers who openly worshipped the devil. Even when confronted about it, he defended his actions. To me, it sounded so absurd that I couldn’t believe it. However, at that moment I realised I was no different. I had claimed to be a Christian all my life, yet I was living in complete contradiction to what a Christian should represent.

My pastor, who was also the youth pastor, helped me a lot. During one-on-one conversations, I was completely open with him. I told him everything I had done because I knew it was wrong. There was no point in hiding it. I understood early on that he was there to help, not to judge.

Receiving the Holy Spirit was my turning point. It was the last day of the 21-Day Fast of Daniel and I gave it my all. I cut out every distraction and sought God with everything in me – meditating, praying and seeking. That night, I received the Holy Spirit.

Now, I can say with certainty that I am changed. My friends and family look to me for advice and support, and I’m always happy to help because I understand how precious souls are. I was once a lost soul, and I know that if I hadn’t been given the chance to change, there would have been deep regret. Now, I want to give that same chance to as many people as possible because my testimony is only just beginning – there’s so much more I intend to do, even in future workplaces.”

Israel Brako l

I felt as though my life had come to a standstill. I was sad, confused, and lacked any clear direction. I felt unworthy and had no idea what peace was or how to find it.

My partner had already been attending the Universal Church, and he invited me to come along. After a year of attending, I got married, thinking that marriage would finally bring me happiness. But after returning from my honeymoon, I found myself alone in my room, feeling as though the walls were closing in on me. I was still empty.

Even though I had not yet received the Holy Spirit, God spoke to me, saying: “You need My Spirit.” At that moment, I cried out to Him and said, “I want Your Spirit!” From then on, I began to seek Him daily.

I had so much to surrender — I wasn’t fully trusting Him, and I feared people more than I feared God. But during the 21-Day Fast of Daniel, I gave my all. God gave me the courage to overcome my fear of others, and on the final day of the Fast, He gave me the assurance of His Spirit dwelling within me.

I found my peace — the peace I once thought didn’t exist. But it truly does!

Sandeep

Before, I was broken—struggling with low self-esteem and completely lacking peace. I felt hopeless, battled dark thoughts, and carried deep grudges against my ex-partner and some family members.

Over the years, I took part in many Fasts of Daniel and purposes of faith for my spiritual life, yet I had not received the Holy Spirit. Then, during one particular Fast, I realised I needed to humble myself and be truly sincere with God. I opened my heart to Him, sharing my inner struggles—the battle against myself and the challenge of forgiveness.

I dug deep within and surrendered everything that had been holding me back. In that moment, during the Fast of Daniel, I finally received the Holy Spirit. Now, I have an unshakeable peace within me, even amidst challenges. I am no longer in a dark place, and I look forward to life. I can forgive easily and even pray for those who have hurt me, trusting that they too will come to know the God I serve.

Tashi Stapleton

I struggled with a lack of self-belief, but everything changed when a family member invited me to a Victory Youth Group (VYG) event. As I began attending the meetings, I heard a lot about the Holy Spirit and the importance of having Him in my life. That sparked a deep desire within me to know more. I became actively involved in the church and surrounded myself with people who shared the same vision.

When the 21-Day Fast of Daniel was announced in the church, I committed to taking part. Although I had not yet received the Holy Spirit, that became my ultimate goal. Throughout those days, I kept asking God what He wanted from me. I went through my deliverance, conversion, and baptism in water, and I listened to Liberty Radio at 10pm, seeking guidance.

As the 21 days drew to a close, there was a VYG Night Vigil, and I was determined this would be the night I received the Holy Spirit. I had given everything to God, and I knew the only thing missing was His Spirit within me. I prepared for that night, even thinking about what I would wear, how I would style my hair, and what shoes I would put on—not because those things mattered, but because I was wholeheartedly invested in the moment.

When the pastor called those who had not yet received the Holy Spirit to the front, I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t care who was beside me. I went forward and in that moment of seeking, I finally received the Holy Spirit.

My life today is a blessing. I no longer struggle with insecurity or self-doubt. Though I still face hardships, I know that with God I will overcome.

Ruthie