Who benefits from miracle money?

On New Year’s Eve in 2022, I escorted a friend to crowd-pulling crossover prayers by a West African prophet in Lilongwe. My friend expected a miracle and he was convinced that an encounter with “man of God” would instantly change everything in my life. Even locking eyes with the prophet would unlock breakthroughs, he said.

Such claims were not new. I had watched similar scenes on television, including broadcasts by the late TB Joshua of Nigeria. I had also encountered stories of people quitting alcohol after being prayed for.

However compelling these accounts may appear, I have never believed the miracles were real. I have never abdicated my freedom to question what is presented as fact. If it is real, I will wait for my own experience just like the Biblical transformation of persecutor Saul into Paul, the evangelist.

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So, I went—not out of faith, but out of courtesy. What I saw unfolding that night and over the following two weekends, was deeply unsettling. On all occasions, the prophet announced: “Those who want to go abroad this year must come forward and touch this globe.

But drop your offering in the basket over there before touching the globe.” One by one, people flocked forward, starting with those with K10 000. Next were cash offerings for job wishes, riches, marriage, healing, recovering lost opportunities… you name them. I watched some people sweep everything from their pockets.

Then there would come another declaration, often towards the end of the service: “I don’t want to keep your anointing. Unlock it before you go home. Pay whatever you have and I will release it—starting with those who are ready to pay more.” The pattern was unmistakable.

Give and receive! Pay and be blessed! The reality outside the church told a different story.

I saw people stranded after the service. The prophet had taken everything, leaving people with no transport home.

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