2026: The Year of the Oil of Gladness

Antara Rashida
5 days ago
2 min read

As we cross the threshold into 2026, we at Restoring the Remnant (RTR) are not merely observing a new calendar year—we are stepping into a divine decree. This is not a prediction based on trends or circumstances. It is a prophetic declaration rooted in the unshakable truth of God’s Word: 2026 is the Year of the Oil of Gladness.

Beauty for Ashes, Joy for Mourning

Isaiah 61 has long been a foundational scripture for our work at RTR. It is the heartbeat of our mission to bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and comfort all who mourn. But this year, one phrase rises with fresh anointing:

“To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” — Isaiah 61:3

The oil of gladness is not a fleeting emotion. It is a divine exchange. It is the supernatural joy that flows from the presence of the Lord, even in the midst of sorrow, transition, or uncertainty. It is the fragrance of healing, the evidence of restoration, and the mark of those who have been with God.

A Decree from the Kingdom Within

In Job 22:28, we are reminded of the authority we carry:

“You shall decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.”

This is not wishful thinking. This is kingdom reality. At RTR, we are decreeing that 2026 will be a year marked by the oil of gladness—not because the world around us is stable, but because the kingdom within us is unshakable.

We decree:

That joy will rise from the ashes of trauma.
That healing will flow like oil through every workshop, gathering, and conversation.
That laughter will return to places long silenced by grief.
That our teams, partners, and participants will be anointed with fresh gladness for the journey ahead.

Not Circumstantial—Covenantal

This decree is not based on headlines, economic forecasts, or cultural trends. It is based on covenant. It is based on the unchanging promises of a God who delights in restoration. The oil of gladness is our inheritance, and we are claiming it boldly.

As we expand our reach across Baltimore, the U.S., and the nations—especially in Africa—we carry this oil with us. It will saturate our trauma-informed trainings, our faith-rooted gatherings, our Substack reflections, and every courageous conversation we host.

An Invitation to Decree with Us

We invite you—our community, our partners, our fellow restorers—to join us in this decree. Speak it over your life, your family, your ministry, your city:

“2026 is my year for the oil of gladness. I receive beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and praise for heaviness. I decree it, and it shall be established.”

Let the oil flow.

Let the joy rise.

Let the kingdom come.