Dreams are a gateway to our subconscious. Even while we’re fast asleep, deep and undisturbed, we can experience some of the most pleasant and inspiring dreams of our lives.
Dreams of peace, love, prosperity, health, and abundance can lift our spirits, causing us to wake up refreshed, encouraged, and hopeful. These dreams stir our hearts and remind us that God, our Creator, delights in our happiness and well-being.
Just as we desire joy and safety for our own children, God desires the same for us. However, not everyone looks forward to sleep. Some people dread the night because their dreams have become increasingly unpleasant.
Night after night, they are shaken by nightmares that cause them to jolt awake in fear, their hearts racing, their bodies drenched in sweat. They find themselves thankful simply to be awake, relieved to escape whatever darkness their dreams held. Often, their first instinct is to drop to their knees and thank God for preserving their life through the night.
Not all disturbing dreams are terrifying in the traditional sense. Some are unsettling because of what they symbolise. For example, dreaming of failure or being back at square one can stir up deep worry and discouragement.
But this is not the will of God. These are not dreams planted by the One who gives life, peace, and purpose. God’s will is not for us to live in fear but in faith, knowing His loving hand is upon us, even in our most vulnerable moments.
Often, the anxieties and burdens we carry during the day find their way into our dreams. When we focus constantly on worry, doubt, or fear, our minds absorb these emotions and play them out while we sleep. But as children of God, we are not meant to be ruled by fear. Scripture is clear: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
So, what does the Bible say about bad dreams? How does God want us to respond to them?
In Scripture, we see God using dreams to communicate, to warn, to guide, and to reveal what is to come. He used dreams to speak to Joseph, to Pharaoh, to Daniel, and He still speaks today. But not every dream is divine. That’s why it is so important to take our dreams to God in prayer.
If a dream unsettles you, don’t carry it alone. Pray. Ask God for clarity, peace, and protection. The Lord is always ready to give His children peace, peace that surpasses understanding and even reaches into the night.
Here are a few Bible verses and prayers to help you stand against bad dreams and reclaim your sleep as a sacred time of rest under God’s watchful eye.
Bible verses to pray against bad dreams
Psalm 27:1-2
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? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.
2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Isaiah 59:19
From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along.
Isaiah 54:17
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.
Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Deuteronomy 28:7
The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
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Numbers 23:23
There is no divination against Jacob, no evil omens against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘See what God has done!
Proverbs 3:24
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Luke 10:19
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 118:12
They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
Joel 2:21
Do not be afraid, land of Judah; be glad and rejoice. Surely the Lord has done great things!
Isaiah 41:13
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Psalm 121:7-8
The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore
Psalm 23:1-4
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
2 Samuel 22:3
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge, and my savior from violent people you save me.
Other bible verses about dreams
Revelation 12:9
The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Genesis 40:8
We both had dreams, they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them. “Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.
1 John 5:19
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one
Deuteronomy 13:1-3
If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, Let us follow other gods (gods you have not known) and let us worship them, you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Acts 2:17
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Daniel 2:28
But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these
Ecclesiastes 5:3
A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.
Daniel 1:17
To these four young men, God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
