When people reach out to Creator in prayer, are they automatically protected from interacting inadvertently with interlopers, such as dark spirits and extraterrestrial psychics seeking to manipulate? Do they need to ask for protection first?

This is one special circumstance when they are automatically shielded. This is seen to by divine realm, for those reaching out with their thoughts with any kind of entreaty, whether done by the conscious self going about one’s day, or during a worship service of some kind in a more formal way, with eyes closed and hands folded, or done in a meditative state of longer duration to increase the likelihood of having a two-way communication. There will be divine protection for all. This will keep people safe, so they need not worry about being vulnerable in reaching out to the Divine at whatever level.