Do you struggle with bad dreams at night? Have you tried praying for good dreams?
Oftentimes, these bad dreams are simply manifesting from the negative input we have throughout the day.
But it can also be the enemy trying to get inside your head when you are least aware.
Either way, add praying for good dreams to your bedtime prayers at night!
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The Power of Prayer over Bad Dreams
Do we have power over our dreams? I mean, can we pray for something to dream about, and it happens?
Is God in control of what we dream, or does Satan influence our dreams?
We’ve all experienced bad dreams before. Some people may not remember what they dreamed, but they wake up with a bad feeling or wake in the middle of the night frightened without any tangible reason.
I have a neighbor who constantly felt like she could feel someone watching her while she slept. To me, that’s a nightmare!
As we discussed it one day, I suggested that she read her Bible before she fell asleep and if she felt afraid in the night to pray; just a simple prayer asking the Lord for protection.
The next time I spoke with her, I asked if she still had been having bad dreams. She replied, “I woke up a couple of nights ago with the same feeling of someone standing over me watching me, so I began to pray. As I prayed, I fell asleep and didn’t wake up again until morning.”
Bible Verses to Pray Against Bad Dreams
The Bible is full of powerful scripture that you can use to pray against your bad dreams.
My friend was surprised that the last thing she remembered was beginning to pray, but I wasn’t. God promises us that He will give us peace and provide us courage.
If you experience bad dreams, here are some verses that may bring peace to your mind. Or better yet, memorize them and pray them back to God when you are afraid.
- Psalm 4:8 (ESV) In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
- Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
- Psalm 27:1 (ESV) The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
- Proverbs 3:24 (ESV) If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
- Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Prayers for Good Dreams
Our communication with our Father is one of the most important aspects of our Christian faith. When we communicate with God, we don’t have to recite a special prayer or memorize a certain way to talk to Him. He is always there waiting for us to reach out to Him.
Praying at night is as important as praying in the morning. Ending the day with a discussion with the Creator of the Universe has to be one of the greatest privileges ever, yet we sometimes forfeit that privilege because we’re too tired, too busy, or simply forget.
The Bible tells us to take our thoughts and anxious feelings to the Lord because He cares about us. (1 Peter 5:7) After a long day in the world, there are always things we need to release to Him, so we aren’t burdened with them.
James 4:7-8 gives us a kind of an outline of a peaceful life, which is the foundation of a good night’s rest:
- submit to God
- resist the devil
- draw near to Jesus
We can include these thoughts in our prayers at night, so our dreams will be sweet. Here’s an example.
Father, Your name is praise on my lips. You are far above all that we know or can imagine. And Your promises are a light that shines into our nights.
Help me remember the promises of your word as I fall asleep tonight.
Forgive me where I’ve allowed Satan access into any part of my life today–through my eyes, ears, or thoughts–and bind his ability to create chaos.
Jesus, my thoughts are on You and Your miraculous gift of salvation. Thank you for choosing me to walk with You. Allow Your Spirit to work in my life even as I sleep, sorting out my feelings, desires, and emotions safely and enjoyably. May your name be praised forever.
Prayer for Good Dreams to Manifest
Most dreams are not given for our interpretation but for sorting out our thoughts, flushing out unnecessary ideas, and storing or exposing our feelings, desires, and emotions.
My husband cannot make a big decision without sleeping on it first. He’ll discuss it, possibly research it, and list the pros and cons until he wears himself out. Then he’ll go to bed, and at about 3:00 in the A.M., he’ll wake me up with his decision.
If our dreams are a way to sort through the activity that goes on all day in our brains, we can control these thoughts by controlling what we allow into our minds.
In Philippians 4:8, Paul encourages us to think about lovely, true, pure, and excellent things. We fill our minds with good things instead of filthy things we pick up in the world.
And then pray that God will guide you through sorting out your thoughts while you sleep, like the example below.
Father, as I fall asleep tonight, let my thoughts glorify You. Give me thoughts of peace as I remember You are the Prince of Peace. Allow the edges of my stressful thoughts to be rubbed smooth by knowing that You are the Great Shepherd who leads me beside the still waters.
Give me a restful spirit knowing that Your Spirit dwells in me, directs all my paths, and lights my way.
Jesus, I know you will keep Your promise to abide in me as I live for You. Set me free from all the thoughts at war with You and fill me with pure, true, lovely, and excellent thoughts. In Your name, I pray.
Are you looking for some tools and tips to boost your prayer life? If so, be sure to visit our Prayer Resources Library where you’ll find everything you need to become a powerful prayer warrior!
Prayer Against Bad Dreams
Since I was young, I remember waking up and being able to remember my dreams. Most of them were just silly, but my best dream ever was when I was flying over the propane tank at my grandparent’s house. I still remember the sensation of flying!
At one particular time in my life, I was afraid to go to bed. Probably because of an overactive imagination. I was terrified that something was waiting for me in the dark. Now I’m more afraid that I’ll bust my toe in the dark!
But every night, I would go to bed and pray, “God, keep me safe, help me feel safe, and let me know that I’m safe.”
This simple, powerful prayer against bad dreams came from a child’s heart. Nothing theological; no one taught it to me, and I didn’t even know it was biblical.
But it is biblical.
Take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5b
Do you have bad dreams? All of us do from time to time. So, the next time you have a terrible dream, pray the prayer I used as a child. Here is my adult version.
Father, I know that You keep me safe in the night. I know that You will not allow anything to happen to me that You haven’t already ordained. But right now, I’m not feeling safe. Whether it’s the enemy or my lack of trust, it doesn’t matter because You are above everything and have everything in Your control.
Engulf me in Your perfect peace and bring rest to my dreams. Keep my mind on things above so that all my thoughts may bring glory to You. Amen.
Powerful prayers for good dreams don’t have to be wordy or repetitive.
When I prayed against bad dreams as a young girl, I put my confidence in God to do the work of protecting my thoughts. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that’s what I was doing.
I knew that my thoughts were my biggest problem, and I wanted God to “let me know” that I was safe.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
The Bible is full of promises that God will watch over us and keep us safe. He promises us that His plans for us are to give us hope and a future. And He encourages us to be brave and have courage. Not because of who we are, but because of who He is!
Be sure to also read:
Cindra from Heavenly Placed became a Christian as a young mother and has seen evidence of God’s loving hand in her life for over 40 years. She has three core beliefs; there is power in prayer, God works all things for our good and His glory, and if you get to know Jesus, you’ll want to know Him more.
