EVERYDAY DREAMS AS PRAYER PROMPTS

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” (Psalm 139:23)

Not every dream contains a divine message. In fact, most of our dreams are simply the result of our minds and bodies performing important maintenance and processing functions while we sleep.

Scientists have discovered fascinating things about the biology of dreams. During REM sleep, our brains process emotions, consolidate memories, and make neural connections that help us learn. Dreams serve as a kind of “mental housekeeping,” clearing out toxins and stress hormones that accumulate during waking hours. This neurological activity explains why we often dream about things that preoccupied us during the day or process unresolved emotions through dream imagery.

Research shows that certain foods (especially those containing the substance tyramine, such as aged cheeses, processed meats, and some spicy foods) can trigger more vivid dreams. Physical factors like sleep position, room temperature, and even medications can influence dream content and intensity. These scientific realities remind us that many dreams are simply biological in nature, not spiritual messages.

But even ordinary dreams can become sacred conversation starters with God.

Here’s where things get interesting: Even when dreams aren’t from the Holy Spirit, they can still become powerful prayer prompts that lead us into deeper communion with God. Our ordinary dreams often reveal what’s happening beneath the surface of our conscious minds—our hidden anxieties, unacknowledged hopes, and unprocessed experiences.

When we bring these revelations before God in prayer, ordinary dreams become doorways to spiritual growth. In Psalm 139:23, David prays, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Our dreams often reveal those anxious thoughts, making them available for the Spirit’s healing touch.

Consider a common dream many people experience—showing up unprepared for an important event or test. While this likely isn’t a prophetic message from God, it might reveal an underlying anxiety about measuring up or a fear of failure. Bringing these feelings before God in prayer allows the Spirit to speak truth into these areas of our lives.

Dreams about missing flights or trains might reflect a feeling that life is moving too fast or the fear of missing opportunities. Dreams about being unable to find something important might reveal a sense of disorientation in some area of life. Dreams about former relationships might indicate unresolved emotions that need processing.

Rather than dismissing these dreams as meaningless or obsessing over hidden meanings, we can simply bring them to the Spirit as conversation starters: “Holy Spirit, I had this dream last night. What might it reveal about what’s happening in my heart? How do You want to meet me in these feelings?”

In this way, even our ordinary, biologically driven dreams become invitations to deeper intimacy with God. They help us practice the kind of self-awareness and vulnerability that fosters authentic relationship with the Spirit. Like the disciples who brought their questions to Jesus, we bring our dreams—with all their confusion and emotion—to the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.

Today’s Reflection Questions:

1. What recurring themes or patterns have you noticed in your dreams? What might these reveal about your current emotional state or life circumstances?
2. How might you use a recent ordinary dream as a prayer prompt? What would it look like to bring that dream to the Holy Spirit in conversation?
3. When have you experienced anxiety dreams? Rather than you just dismissing them, how might these dreams invite you into deeper dependence on the Spirit?
4. How does understanding the biological purpose of dreams change how you view your sleep and dream life as part of God’s good design for your body?

Prayer for Today: Holy Spirit, thank You for the gift of sleep and the brain’s amazing capacity to process through dreams. Help me bring even my ordinary dreams before You as conversation starters. Use these glimpses into my subconscious mind to reveal areas where I need Your healing touch, Your reassurance, or Your wisdom. Transform my nights into opportunities for deeper communion with You. Amen.