Isaiah 22:22
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Self Denial began as an inspirational idea suggested by Mrs. Hazel Gomez, wife of Bishop Joseph Gomez. The idea transformed into a reality under the leadership of Mrs. Alma A. Polk, the first Connectional YPD Director. Mrs. Mamie Aiken continued the project. The first Self Denial Program was held in January 1948. The program later transitioned into Self Denial Week and is observed each year during the week of May 7th-14th.
That's over 75 years ago! With the world becoming a more connected global community through technology and social media platforms, the Self Denial Program has grown to keep pace in the digital age. In a world where so many things are available electronically, our young people must be technologically literate. As a result, Director Sherrell Crawford and Second Vice-President Brian Tukes added a new Virtual Arts Competition to the Self Denial Contests. Participants could now showcase their video production, editing, and computer skills. Under the leadership of the Second Vice President, Jordan Deveaux, and Director Wanda Ringgold, the program continued to promote service to humankind and inclusivity to all.
Welcome to the MPowered YPD 2026 Self-Denial Program. This year, our theme, “Unlocking Me: I Surrender” (inspired by Isaiah 22:22), reminds us that we already have the key. Self-denial isn’t just about giving things up; it’s about making room—clearing out fear, distractions, and old habits so God can do something greater in our lives.
"I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open."— Isaiah 22:22
Instead of treating this as a once-a-year practice, we’re embracing it as a lifestyle:
Self-Denial
ase beke ke lifestyle
Saying "no" when desires go against God's Word, rejecting ungodly thoughts like resentment and pride, and turning away from worldly passions.
Praying on purpose, making choices that show the Fruit of the Spirit, and setting boundaries that protect your body as a temple.
Swipe ← to see each day’s prayer & activity
| Date | Overview | Prayer | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 May, Thursday The Key Is Always In God's Hand 2 Timothy 1:6-7 9AM: Top of the Monzaa 3PM: Stars Pray 6PM: Self-Denial Amplified |
This day is about realization and awakening. You are not waiting on God to give you something new; you are recognizing what He has already deposited inside you. Fear, insecurity, and comparison may have distracted you, but the truth is this: God equipped you before He ever called you. Your gifts, voice, strength, and authority are already present, waiting to be activated. | Lord, thank You for trusting me with the gifts You placed inside me. Forgive me for the times I doubted myself or buried what You gave me out of fear. Open my eyes to clearly see whom You created me to be, and give me the courage to steward my gifts with confidence and gratitude. Amen. | Stand before a mirror and slowly speak five identity statements rooted in God's truth (for example: I am equipped. I am chosen. I am capable. I am called. I am trusted by God). After each statement, pause and ask yourself: Do I believe this? Journal what resistance you feel and invite God into that space. Repeat the statements again, this time speaking them as a declaration, not a question. |
| 8 May, Friday Unlocking Self-Limiting Behaviors Philippians 4:13 9AM: Top of the Monzaa 3PM: Stars Pray 6PM: Self-Denial Amplified |
Limitations are rarely physical. They are mental, emotional, and spiritual strongholds formed by past experiences, failures, or fear. These locks have kept you from moving forward, even when the door was open. Today, you confront those limits head-on. You are not breaking habits; you are breaking agreements with mindsets that told you "you can't." Through Christ, those limitations no longer have authority over you. | Heavenly Father, reveal every limitation I have accepted that did not come from You. Show me where fear has shaped my thinking and where I have settled for less than what You promised. I surrender these mindsets to You and ask You to renew my thoughts with Your truth and strength. Amen. | Write one limitation in each area: mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and
financial. Next to each one, write: • Where did this belief come from? • What does God say about the limitation? • Finish by writing a faith declaration for each area you identified and pray about each one. |
| 9 May, Saturday The Power of "I AM Ready" Isaiah 6:8 9AM: Top of the Monzaa 3PM: Stars Pray 6PM: Self-Denial Amplified |
Readiness is not about having all the answers — it's about having a willing heart. God is not looking for perfection; He is looking for availability. When you say "I am ready," you surrender control and trust God to lead you step by step. This is the moment where hesitation turns into obedience, and waiting turns into movement. | Lord, I confess that sometimes I wait until I feel ready instead of trusting You to prepare me. Today, I place my yes on the altar. Align my heart with Your will, quiet my fear, and help me trust You with what comes next. I am ready because You are with me. Amen. | Sit quietly with your hands open on your lap. Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
Ask God: What are You inviting me into right now? Sit with whatever comes up; no rushing, no correcting. Write down any thoughts, emotions, or impressions afterward. |
| 10 May, Sunday Self Denial Sunday Luke 9:23 9AM: Top of the Monzaa 3PM: Stars Pray 6PM: Self-Denial Amplified |
Self-denial is not about losing yourself. It is about surrendering what competes with God so you can become who He's calling you to be. Today is a call to lay down pride, distractions, and control in exchange for deeper obedience, clarity, and spiritual strength. | Father God, I come before You just as I am. I lay down fear, self-consciousness, distractions, and control. Unlock my heart where it has been guarded. Unlock my mouth where praise has been silent. Unlock my hands where surrender has been withheld. Teach me to worship You in spirit and in truth, not for how it looks, but for who You are. I give You permission to move freely in me. | Silent Surrender • Sit quietly. • Place a hand on your heart. • Say nothing, just focus on God's presence. • Allow God to freely enter your heart, mind, and spirit with no interruption or hesitation. |
| 11 May, Monday Silencing the Voice of "NOT YET" 2 Corinthians 10:5 9AM: Top of the Monzaa 3PM: Stars Pray 6PM: Self-Denial Amplified |
The voice that says "not yet" often disguises itself as wisdom, but it is doubt, fear, and procrastination. Today, you reclaim authority over your thoughts. You are no longer postponing obedience or delaying growth. God's timing is now, and you are able to move forward with Him. | God, help me recognize the voices in my mind that oppose Your truth. Teach me to challenge every thought that keeps me stuck or afraid. Replace hesitation with faith and strengthen me to act when You call me forward. Amen. | Throughout the day, notice when "not yet," "I can't," or "I'm not ready" arises.
Pause and write down: • What am I afraid of right now? • What would faith say instead? • Speak the faith response aloud and take one small action in obedience. |
| 12 May, Tuesday Momentum: Moving Like I Mean It James 2:17 9AM: Top of the Monzaa 3PM: Stars Pray 6PM: Self-Denial Amplified |
Momentum is built through consistent, intentional action. Faith without works is stagnant. Today is about proving to yourself that you can move forward, even when motivation feels low. Small steps, taken consistently, create unstoppable progress. | Lord, strengthen my discipline and help me move with intention. When I feel unmotivated or distracted, remind me that obedience creates momentum. Teach me to honor small steps and trust that You bless consistent effort. Amen. | Choose one task you have been avoiding because it feels overwhelming. Before
starting, pray and dedicate the effort to God. Set a 10-minute timer and work with
full focus. Afterward, journal: • How did movement change how it felt? • What did I learn about myself? |
| 13 May, Wednesday Becoming Who I Was Afraid to Be Joshua 1:9 9AM: Top of the Monzaa 3PM: Stars Pray 6PM: Self-Denial Amplified |
Growth often requires leaving behind familiar versions of yourself. The person you are becoming may feel uncomfortable, but that discomfort is proof of expansion. Fear no longer gets to decide your future. Today, you step into courage and allow yourself to grow into who God designed you to be. | God, I acknowledge the fear I feel around growth and change. Give me the courage to step into the person You are shaping me to be. Help me trust that who I am becoming is safe in Your hands. Amen. | Write a letter to your future self who is walking confidently in God's purpose. Let that version of you speak encouragement, gratitude, and truth into your current season. After writing, underline one sentence that stands out and carry it with you today. |
| 14 May, Thursday Living Unlocked, Walking Unstoppable Romans 8:37 9AM: Top of the Monzaa 3PM: Stars Pray 6PM: Self-Denial Amplified |
This final day is about embodiment. You are no longer waiting, doubting, or holding back. You are walking in freedom, authority, and confidence rooted in Christ. You live unlocked — no chains, no limits, no hesitation. This is not a moment; it is a lifestyle. | Lord, thank You for the freedom You have given me. Help me live each day aware of Your victory and strength within me. Teach me to walk boldly, love freely, and trust You fully as I continue this journey. Amen. | Take a slow, intentional walk. With each step, speak a word that reflects your
identity in Christ. Words like free, strong, loved, confident, victorious,
etc. After the walk, write a short commitment statement beginning with: "From this day forward, I choose to live unlocked by …" |
Tap the title to unlock the day's video
| Date | Theme | Sunbeams & Stars | Youth & Young Adults |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thurs, 7 May | The Key Is Always In God's Hand | The Fiery
Furnace Superbook |
My Father Is
in Charge Rorisang Thandekiso |
| Fri, 8 May | Unlocking Self-Limiting Behaviors | Gideon: The
Warrior Superbook |
There's a
War Inside Me Khaya Mthethwa |
| Sat, 9 May | The Power of "I Am Ready" | Samuel and
the Call of God Superbook |
Stay
Awake Philip Mitchell |
| Sun, 10 May | Self Denial Sunday | Peter's
Denial Superbook |
God
First Rorisang Thandekiso |
| Mon, 11 May | The Voice of "Not Yet" | Lazarus Superbook |
The Power of
Prayer Uviwe Mkosana |
| Tues, 12 May | Momentum: Moving Like I Mean It | The Walls of
Jericho Superbook |
Growing
Through Storms Philip Mitchell |
| Wed, 13 May | Becoming Who I Was Afraid To Be | Esther: For
Such a Time as This Superbook |
IHAN
Session Rorisang Thandekiso |
| Thurs, 14 May | Living Unlocked, Walking Unstoppable | A Giant
Adventure Superbook |
Break
Free Philip Mitchell |
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Contest Submissions due for Feedback at the Becoming The Light Seminar & Leadership Indaba | |
| Self-Denial Week Program Released | |
| 7-14 May, 2026 | Self-Denial Week |
| Final Contest Submission Deadline (MPowered Conference) | |
| 25 May 2026, 23:59 | Extended Self-Denial Contest Deadline |
| 17 May 2026 (TBC) | Virtual session announcing results |
Click a category to expand the full participation and submission details.
Participants: Mother Sunbeams (Group I) & Allen Stars (Group II)
Express the theme "Unlocking Me: I Surrender" through:
Submission Requirements:
Participants: All Groups (I, II, III, and IV)
Guidelines: Length must not exceed 5 minutes and must express the theme.
Submission: Information Sheet, MP4 video format, and photo of participants in Green & White Uniform.
Participants: Youth Auxiliary (Group III) & Young Adult Division (Group IV)
Submission: Recitations/Orations must be in MP4 format. Include a photo of the participant in Green & White Uniform
Participants: Youth Auxiliary (Group III) & Young Adult Division (Group IV)
Submission: One submission per entry; include a photo of the participant in Green & White Uniform.
Participants: Youth Auxiliary (Group III) & Young Adult Division (Group IV)
Create and implement an original community service project supporting ages 2-26 based on the theme.
Project Plan (Max 5 Pages):
Submission: Cover sheet, report, photo in Green & White Uniform, and up to 5 photos of the project in action.
Deadline Extended to: 25 May 2026, 23:59