Buyer Beware: A Reflection on Prayer, Craft, and Spiritual Discernment

Recently, I came across an Instagram reel from a business owner who shared how she prays over her products before sending them out to customers. She explained her intentions and the purpose of this ritual, claiming that it was to ensure the consumer received something meaningful and beneficial. At first, this sounded familiar—after all, I often pray over my work too. But as the video progressed and the brand was revealed, I was shocked. It was a company I had recently considered purchasing from, drawn in by the supposed health benefits of their products. I immediately recognized that stumbling across this reel wasn’t a coincidence—it was a warning from God, a moment of divine protection.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” —Proverbs 2:6

As believers in Jesus Christ, the issue here isn’t prayer itself. It’s about who the prayer is directed to and what spirit is behind it. In this case, the woman was engaging in what’s commonly referred to as New Age prayer—invoking spiritual forces that are not of God. Though the words she used may have sounded harmless—words like abundance, healing, and alignment—these terms, when stripped of their biblical foundation, often reflect spiritual deception.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” —1 John 4:1

As Christian creatives, many of us pray over our work. I do this regularly. I ask God to guide my hands, to use me as a vessel for His glory, and to let each item be created with excellence. I pray that those who receive my work will be blessed, not just by the physical product, but by the Spirit of God working through it. This, to me, is creative ministry. It is an act of obedience and worship. The woman in the reel was also performing a kind of ministry, but one that lacked Christ and was rooted in deception. Her prayers were spiritual, yes, but their source was not the Holy Spirit. This is the danger. The enemy works through craft just as God does. Satan counterfeits God’s methods, and where God calls us to create for His glory, the enemy seeks to twist creation into a tool of confusion and spiritual bondage.

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” —2 Corinthians 11:14

Here’s where it gets deeper. When you purchase a product, especially one created with a spiritual intention, you are not just buying an item. You are sowing a seed. Money is a powerful medium of agreement. The act of buying connects you to the creator of that product, both physically and spiritually. If the product has been prayed over with New Age or occult influence, and you consume or use it unaware, you may unknowingly be coming into agreement with that spiritual influence. The woman didn’t say anything obviously dark or sinister. That’s the point—deception is rarely obvious. Without the Holy Spirit’s discernment or a background in spiritual warfare and New Age language, most people would have no idea. But Scripture is clear:

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” —Hosea 4:6

“We are not unaware of his (Satan’s) schemes.” —2 Corinthians 2:11

The enemy must legally announce his plans—he cannot violate your free will. That’s a spiritual law even he must obey. So, he reveals just enough to gain access through your agreement. This is why the enemy is content with soft language like “energy” or “alignment.” It sounds innocent, but it’s spiritually charged with meaning that leads people away from the truth of Christ. As believers, our response must be different. We are called to consecrate our work to God. Every stitch, brushstroke, or word written should be an act of worship and surrender. To be a Christian creative is not a light thing—it is a holy calling.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” —Colossians 3:23

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.” —1 Peter 4:10

We don’t just create to sell. We create to minister. We create to bless, to heal, and to glorify God. That is why I pray over each piece I make—not for manipulation or attraction, but for divine blessing and alignment with God’s will. The product becomes a seed sown into the lives of others—a seed of peace, of joy, of goodness. We must be sober and alert. The spiritual world is real, and the stakes are high. Not every handcrafted, “blessed” item is from the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your purchases, just as you ask Him to guide your creative process.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8

To be called by God to create is one of the highest privileges. It means you’re working in step with the Creator Himself. Let us handle this calling with reverence, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to God’s truth. As Christian creatives, we carry the responsibility to be good stewards of the gifts, talents, and abilities our Creator has entrusted to us. This is no light matter. It calls us to create with pure hearts, pure minds, and pure intentions. This is what spiritual integrity looks like in practice—a sacred duty to manage our calling well and to serve with care everyone whom God has assigned us to create for.