By Richard Thomas
The Gethsemane Prayer Ministries International (GPMI) is set to host the 33rd edition of its annual International Prayer Academy (IPA), a six-day spiritual programme designed to deepen believers’ understanding of prayer and equip them with practical Biblical insights for overcoming life’s challenges.
The 2026 edition, themed “Prayer Insights to Move from Frustration to Jubilation,” is scheduled to hold from Monday, September 14, to Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Gethsemane World Prayer Center, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The opening ceremony will commence at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, with the President of the Prayer School and General Overseer of GPMI, Rev. (Dr.) Moses Olanrewaju Aransiola, expected to formally declare the programme open.
The Academy is expected to attract prayer ministers, church leaders, Christian workers, intercessors, prayer teachers and other believers from Oyo State and different parts of Nigeria.
The IPA programme will run from Monday, September 14, through Friday, September 18, with morning and evening sessions, while Saturday, September 19, will feature a single session.
The programme will culminate in a special thanksgiving service on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Over the years, the International Prayer Academy has established itself as a platform for prayer training, spiritual development and the teaching of practical Biblical principles on the place of prayer in the lives of believers and the Church.
Speaking on the significance of this year’s theme, the Director of the Prayer School, Pastor Bayo Owoseni, said the focus of the 2026 Academy would go beyond teaching participants how to pray, adding that the programme would help believers understand the principles, dimensions and insights capable of transforming prayer from a routine religious activity into an effective instrument of spiritual growth and victorious Christian living.
Owoseni urged participants to take full advantage of the Academy to deepen their understanding of prayer and acquire spiritual and practical knowledge that could help them move beyond frustration into renewed hope and jubilation.
“I want to encourage our participants in the 2026 International Prayer Academy to seize the opportunity of the 33rd edition of the Prayer Academy to acquire prayer insights to move from frustration to jubilation,” he said.
According to him, prayer remains one of the fundamental means through which Christians communicate with God, seek divine direction, confront challenges and strengthen their relationship with Him.
He noted that although many believers pray, the challenge often lies in understanding how to approach prayer with knowledge, faith, spiritual understanding and perseverance.
He said the 2026 Academy was therefore designed to provide participants with deeper insights into effective prayer and the spiritual principles required to navigate difficult seasons with renewed hope, strength and thanksgiving.
Pastor Owoseni explained that the theme was particularly relevant to deepen believers’ understanding of prayer and equip them with practical Biblical insights for overcoming life’s challenges.
He said the Academy would provide participants with opportunities to learn from experienced servants of God whose ministries have been shaped by prayer, biblical teaching and spiritual leadership.
The 2026 edition will feature respected ministers of God, including Apostle Emmanuel Kure, Apostle Leke Sanusi, Pastor Kayode Pitan, Bishop Theodore Effiong and Apostle (Dr.) Seth Akhilele.
According to Pastor Owoseni, the Ministers will bring their wealth of experience to bear on the theme by offering participants practical and spiritual insights applicable to their personal prayer lives, ministries and Christian responsibilities.
He added that the programme would feature intensive prayer sessions, Biblical teachings, spiritual impartation and other activities aimed at strengthening participants in their walk with God.
The Director noted that the IPA had, over the years, provided a platform for Christians from different backgrounds to come together around the biblical commitment to prayer.
He said the Academy had also exposed participants to teachings and practical approaches that had helped many develop greater confidence, discipline and understanding in their prayer lives.
For participants, he said, the programme would provide an opportunity to learn from renowned servants of God, examine their personal prayer lives, identify areas requiring spiritual growth and acquire fresh insights capable of strengthening their relationship with God.
As Christians from different parts of the country converge on the Gethsemane World Prayer Center, Eleyele, Ibadan, the International Prayer Academy is expected to provide a major platform for spiritual renewal, prayer training and fellowship.
The 33rd International Prayer Academy, according to him is positioned as more than an annual Christian gathering, but as a strategic spiritual encounter aimed at equipping believers with prayer insights, strengthening prayer leaders and teachers, and inspiring participants to confront life’s challenges with renewed faith.
With “Prayer Insights to Move from Frustration to Jubilation” as its guiding theme, the 2026 Academy is expected to place prayer at the centre of a spiritual journey from adversity to hope, uncertainty to confidence and from frustration to jubilation.
