On the night of February 9, 2026, the Grace Mountain Chapel auditorium in Accra—the home of the Alpha Hour prayer movement led by Pastor Elvis Agyemang—was the target of a deliberate fire attack that has since generated national concern and deep spiritual reflection.

CCTV footage reportedly captured a woman entering the auditorium under the guise of prayer before pouring petrol on chairs near the altar and setting them ablaze.

Security personnel intervened swiftly to contain the flames before the entire structure could be engulfed, although several items were destroyed, including chairs, air conditioners, windows, offering boxes, ceiling materials, and electrical cables.

The suspect, identified as Kesse Okyerewaa Koranteng, was arrested at the scene and is assisting police with investigations. While in-person prayer sessions have been suspended indefinitely for security reasons, online Alpha Hour meetings continue across digital platforms.

As I reflect on this painful episode, one Scripture echoes with sobering clarity: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). The Bible does not flatter human nature; it exposes it.

Incidents like this are not simply criminal matters but spiritual realities that force us to confront the tension between good and evil that shapes our world.

The Sobering Reality of the Human Heart
One of the hardest truths to accept is that wickedness does not always look wicked. The woman did not storm the premises with visible aggression; she entered as someone appearing to seek God.

Yet beneath that outward posture was destructive intent. This duality is precisely what Scripture warns us about, reminding us that without the transforming grace of God, the human heart is capable of unimaginable harm.

Genesis 6 reveals that when God saw the earth filled with violence and corruption, He responded decisively, yet even then He preserved Noah as a testimony that goodness would not be erased.

Preacher and author A. W. Tozer once noted that the essence of sin is self-centeredness, and when the heart dethrones God, it enthrones destructive impulses.

What we witnessed at Grace Mountain is a reminder that spiritual formation matters, because unchecked hearts can produce catastrophic outcomes.

You Do Not Have to Provoke Evil to Encounter It

Another lesson emerging from this event is that one does not need to provoke evil in order to experience it. Joseph did nothing to deserve betrayal, yet his brothers sold him out of envy (Genesis 37).

Jesus committed no wrongdoing, yet Herod sought His life, disguising murderous intent with a deceptive request to “worship” the child (Matthew 2:8). The early church faithfully preached Christ and still faced persecution (Acts 8:1).

Paul admonishes believers in Ephesians 5:16 to redeem the time because the days are evil, which means opposition is not accidental but part of a fallen world. When prayer movements rise and light shines brightly, darkness often attempts resistance.

However, resistance does not mean defeat. It often confirms significance. The presence of opposition around impactful ministries should not shock us; it should strengthen our resolve.

Deception as a Strategy of Darkness

The manner in which this attack unfolded highlights another critical spiritual principle: deception is one of the enemy’s primary tools. Jesus described the devil as “a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44), establishing falsehood as central to his character.

The apostle Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 2:11 that believers must not be ignorant of Satan’s devices, recognizing that spiritual warfare frequently operates through disguise.

Herod pretended reverence while plotting murder. Judas kissed Jesus while betraying Him. In the same way, someone can appear to pray while nurturing destruction. This reality calls for discernment within the church, not suspicion toward everyone, but spiritual alertness grounded in wisdom. Discernment is not fear; it is maturity.

Evil Does Not Prevail Over Good

Although damage occurred that night, the building was not lost and no lives were harmed. The prayer mandate continues online, proving that while material structures can be attacked, spiritual assignments cannot be extinguished so easily.

Romans 12:21 urges us not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good, and Scripture repeatedly demonstrates this principle.

When wickedness overwhelmed the earth in Noah’s day, God preserved righteousness. When Pharaoh resisted God’s plan, deliverance still came. When Jesus was crucified, what appeared to be evil’s victory became the gateway to resurrection.

Augustine of Hippo insightfully stated that God judged it better to bring good out of evil than to permit no evil at all. That theological perspective allows us to see beyond the flames and recognize that God remains sovereign even when chaos attempts interruption.

Redemption Is Still Possible

While we condemn destructive acts, we must not abandon the hope of redemption. Saul of Tarsus persecuted believers and approved their deaths, yet after encountering Christ he became Paul, one of the most influential apostles in Christian history. The transforming power of the gospel is not limited by the severity of one’s past actions.

Justice must take its course, but beyond legal consequences lies the possibility of spiritual renewal. The church must stand firmly for righteousness while also praying for repentance and transformation. The blood of Jesus Christ is powerful enough to cleanse the most stained conscience and restore the most broken life. No one is beyond the reach of grace.

Conclusion

The fire attack on Grace Mountain Chapel is a sobering reminder that wickedness exists, deception is active, and evil days are real. Yet it is also a testimony that evil does not have the final word, that God intervenes in critical moments, and that even destructive attempts cannot silence a divine mandate.

As believers, we must respond with vigilance without paranoia, discernment without bitterness, and compassion without naivety, trusting in the promise of Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

Flames may damage chairs, but they cannot consume destiny. Opposition may arise, but it cannot override sovereignty. In the end, the goodness of God will prevail, because history consistently proves that when evil attempts to dominate, heaven ultimately responds with greater glory.


Eric Otchere is a minister of the gospel and the author of ‘Christian Maturing’ and ‘Life in Christ’. He is a passionate Christian blogger at www.livingourbible.com, where he shares biblically grounded insights for everyday life. Through the Eden Minds Podcast, he also creates short, faith-inspired video content on TikTok. Connect: otchereeric@gmail.com