When Prayers Turn to Witchcraft

Not all prayers are the same. In fact, there are some prayers that could be dangerous and you should avoid them. Here are eight prayers you should stay away from.

Eight Prayers to Stay Away From

1. Prayers to Angels, Mary or Saints

As believers we are instructed to pray to the Father, in the name of Jesus, by the help of the Holy Spirit. We don’t pray to God through angels or saints because Jesus is our Mediator.

For example, if you have direct access to me, there would be no need to go through an assistant. In the same way, we have direct access to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The Bible never gave us directions to God through anyone else.

We honor His mother and saints and receive the ministry of angels, but Jesus is the only way.

2. Formulaic Prayers Without Heart

A genuine prayer must be heartfelt, not just a repetitive chant or formula.

The Bible says in Matthew 6:7 that heathens pray thinking that their many words will be heard. It’s about your heart, not just the words. If you focus on the ritual or formula but miss the heart, your prayer will not be effective.

3. Desire to Harm or Curse Others

Christians are called to bless others, even our enemies (Romans 12:14). Prayers to harm others are not biblical. When we see the Scriptures, we see that Jesus forgave even on the cross. In the same way, we should release forgiveness, not harbor resentment.

3. Having Manipulative Intentions

Manipulation in prayer is a form of witchcraft and praying with selfish intentions is not in line with God’s will (James 4:3). Prayers to manipulate or threaten God are not pleasing to the Lord and we should avoid these types of prayers.

4. Invoking Spirits or Using Occult Practices

Another type of prayer that is important to avoid is the use of spirit guides or occult practices. God has given us the Holy Spirit and His word as our greatest help in prayer. Using spirit guides, New Age practices, or demonic occult practices is not of God, even if it is disguised as “good vibes” or “positive energy.”

5. Seeking Signs Instead of God’s Word

Now, while there’s nothing wrong with desiring signs from God, obsessing over them instead of God’s word can lead to disappointment. It’s important to remember that God sends signs to confirm our faith, but our faith should be grounded in His character and word.

6. Using Objects as Sources of Power

Another important thing to understand is that while we may use anointing oil in prayer, the power comes from the Holy Spirit, not the oil itself. However, it’s important to note that other objects like crystals or candles should not be used as sources of power in prayer.

Biblical prayer is strengthened through fasting, worship, and the word, not through objects.

7. Praying for Material Wealth Without Seeking God’s Kingdom

Many prayers are like those of the prodigal son, asking for health, wealth, and fame without seeking God’s kingdom. There’s nothing wrong with money, health, or influence, but when we prioritize material wealth over spiritual growth, our prayers can become misguided.

The Bible teaches us to seek God’s kingdom first, and He will provide for our needs (Matthew 6:33).

Read: Eight Prayers You Should Pray Often