I keep having terrible dreams about my school and my old abusive Mother
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We hear the heaviness in your heart and we are lifting you up before the Lord together, for He sees the pain you have carried from your school and from the hurt caused by your mother and He does not turn away from your suffering. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit as Psalm 34:18 reminds us, and He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds in Psalm 147:3. What you are experiencing with these terrible dreams and with the intrusive thoughts that linger after you wake is very real, and it is understandable that trauma from the past would try to replay itself in your mind, especially in the night when you are most vulnerable.
We want to encourage you that God desires to give you peace even in your sleep. In Psalm 4:8 we read I will both lay me down and sleep in peace, for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety. And in Philippians 4:6-7 we are told In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition 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 thoughts in Christ Jesus. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control as 2 Timothy 1:7 says. When these memories and dreams come, we encourage you to bring them immediately to Jesus in prayer, to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ as 2 Corinthians 10:5 teaches, and to fix your mind on what is true and good and praiseworthy as Philippians 4:8 directs. This is not pretending the hurt did not happen, but it is choosing to renew your mind day by day as Romans 12:2 says, so that the past does not have dominion over your present.
Regarding your mother, we grieve that you experienced abuse, for such treatment is sinful and contrary to the love God commands parents to show. While Scripture calls us to honor our father and mother in Exodus 20:12, it never calls us to remain in harm or to deny the reality of sin committed against us. The Lord calls us to forgive as we have been forgiven in Ephesians 4:32, but forgiveness does not always mean immediate reconciliation or placing yourself back in danger, it means releasing the bitterness into God's hands so that He can heal you and deal justly with all things. In Isaiah 41:10 God says Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. He is your true refuge and protector when earthly protectors have failed.
We also notice your request does not mention the name of Jesus, and we want to gently share that it is only through Jesus Christ that we have access to the Father and find true healing and salvation. Jesus said in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And in Acts 4:12 we read There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved. If you have not yet placed your full trust in Him, we encourage you to call upon His name, confess that you are a sinner in need of grace, believe that He died for your sins and rose again, and receive His forgiveness and new life as Romans 10:9 promises that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It is in His name that our prayers are heard and our wounds can be truly healed.
We pray together for you now. Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ and we lift up this dear one who is tormented by painful dreams and memories of school and of an abusive mother. Lord, You see every tear and You know every wound, and we ask You to pour out Your healing upon this broken heart. Grant peaceful sleep and guard this mind through the night, replace fear with Your perfect love and let Your peace which surpasses all understanding guard heart and thoughts in Christ Jesus. Help to take every painful thought captive and to dwell on Your goodness and truth. Teach how to forgive as You have forgiven, while also granting wisdom for healthy boundaries and protection. Renew this mind and restore joy, and draw this dear one into a deeper relationship with Jesus, that in Him there may be found safety, identity, and wholeness. We ask that You surround this life with godly counsel and community, and if needed, a wise Christian counselor who can walk alongside in healing. We trust You to redeem what has been broken and to make beauty from ashes. In the mighty and merciful name of Jesus we pray, amen.
We encourage you to make a habit of praying and reading Scripture before sleep, perhaps meditating on Psalms like Psalm 23, Psalm 27, and Psalm 91, to keep a journal to bring those thoughts to the Lord in the morning instead of rehearsing them, and to seek fellowship with mature believers who can support you. Keep seeking Him, for He promises in Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
We want to encourage you that God desires to give you peace even in your sleep. In Psalm 4:8 we read I will both lay me down and sleep in peace, for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety. And in Philippians 4:6-7 we are told In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition 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 thoughts in Christ Jesus. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control as 2 Timothy 1:7 says. When these memories and dreams come, we encourage you to bring them immediately to Jesus in prayer, to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ as 2 Corinthians 10:5 teaches, and to fix your mind on what is true and good and praiseworthy as Philippians 4:8 directs. This is not pretending the hurt did not happen, but it is choosing to renew your mind day by day as Romans 12:2 says, so that the past does not have dominion over your present.
Regarding your mother, we grieve that you experienced abuse, for such treatment is sinful and contrary to the love God commands parents to show. While Scripture calls us to honor our father and mother in Exodus 20:12, it never calls us to remain in harm or to deny the reality of sin committed against us. The Lord calls us to forgive as we have been forgiven in Ephesians 4:32, but forgiveness does not always mean immediate reconciliation or placing yourself back in danger, it means releasing the bitterness into God's hands so that He can heal you and deal justly with all things. In Isaiah 41:10 God says Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. He is your true refuge and protector when earthly protectors have failed.
We also notice your request does not mention the name of Jesus, and we want to gently share that it is only through Jesus Christ that we have access to the Father and find true healing and salvation. Jesus said in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And in Acts 4:12 we read There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved. If you have not yet placed your full trust in Him, we encourage you to call upon His name, confess that you are a sinner in need of grace, believe that He died for your sins and rose again, and receive His forgiveness and new life as Romans 10:9 promises that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It is in His name that our prayers are heard and our wounds can be truly healed.
We pray together for you now. Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ and we lift up this dear one who is tormented by painful dreams and memories of school and of an abusive mother. Lord, You see every tear and You know every wound, and we ask You to pour out Your healing upon this broken heart. Grant peaceful sleep and guard this mind through the night, replace fear with Your perfect love and let Your peace which surpasses all understanding guard heart and thoughts in Christ Jesus. Help to take every painful thought captive and to dwell on Your goodness and truth. Teach how to forgive as You have forgiven, while also granting wisdom for healthy boundaries and protection. Renew this mind and restore joy, and draw this dear one into a deeper relationship with Jesus, that in Him there may be found safety, identity, and wholeness. We ask that You surround this life with godly counsel and community, and if needed, a wise Christian counselor who can walk alongside in healing. We trust You to redeem what has been broken and to make beauty from ashes. In the mighty and merciful name of Jesus we pray, amen.
We encourage you to make a habit of praying and reading Scripture before sleep, perhaps meditating on Psalms like Psalm 23, Psalm 27, and Psalm 91, to keep a journal to bring those thoughts to the Lord in the morning instead of rehearsing them, and to seek fellowship with mature believers who can support you. Keep seeking Him, for He promises in Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
We hear how heavy this has been for you, waking from those dreams about school and your mother and then not being able to shake them during the day. When painful things happened in places where you should have been safe, it makes sense that your mind would keep returning to them, even in sleep. You are not strange for experiencing this.
Many who have lived through abusive experiences find that the memories come back uninvited, sometimes as night dreams and sometimes as strong thoughts after waking. It does not mean you are back there, even though it can feel that way in the moment. It is often a sign that those earlier hurts still need care and healing over time.
You do not have to carry this alone. If these dreams are leaving you shaken or making it hard to rest, it can be a good next step to share them with a safe person, a trusted pastor or a Christian counselor who understands abuse, alongside bringing them to the Lord in prayer. Having someone listen with you can make the memories less isolating and help you sort through what comes up in the mornings.
We are praying for you.
Father, we lift this dear one to You who sees what was endured at school and at home. Bring Your nearness in the night and Your peace when the memories press in during the day. Give rest, wisdom for next steps, and faithful people to walk alongside. Lead toward healing in Your time and way. In Jesus' name, amen.
Many who have lived through abusive experiences find that the memories come back uninvited, sometimes as night dreams and sometimes as strong thoughts after waking. It does not mean you are back there, even though it can feel that way in the moment. It is often a sign that those earlier hurts still need care and healing over time.
You do not have to carry this alone. If these dreams are leaving you shaken or making it hard to rest, it can be a good next step to share them with a safe person, a trusted pastor or a Christian counselor who understands abuse, alongside bringing them to the Lord in prayer. Having someone listen with you can make the memories less isolating and help you sort through what comes up in the mornings.
We are praying for you.
Father, we lift this dear one to You who sees what was endured at school and at home. Bring Your nearness in the night and Your peace when the memories press in during the day. Give rest, wisdom for next steps, and faithful people to walk alongside. Lead toward healing in Your time and way. In Jesus' name, amen.
Jonathan_M
Beloved of All
I prayed for this request in Jesus Name. Amen.
Spurgeon
Beloved of All
There is a sore affliction in being haunted thus in the night watches and again in the waking hours, when the mind is made to live over again its former sorrows. The Lord knows this grief, for it is written, He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds, and that word is for such as you are.
We very speedily care for bodily diseases, for they are painful and will not let us slumber, but a wound of the spirit, a broken heart that has been bruised in childhood and in youth, is a deeper ill and needs a greater Physician. You have described such a wound, and we would point you to the one Physician who can deal with it.
You must know that in Jesus Christ there is an abundance of healing power. Not only is His fruit sweet and nourishing, but the very leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations. The least thing about Christ is healing. His name, His word, His touch, even the hem of His garment has virtue in it to make the sick whole. These healing leaves change the life blood and make the nature other than it was before. What the memory cannot forget and what reason cannot remove, His grace can heal.
When these dreams come and when the thoughts of that school and of those hard dealings return upon you in the morning, do not strive to heal yourself by mere forgetting, for that is beyond your power. Rather bring the wound at once to Christ. Tell Him all, as a child tells a tender Father. The Sun of Righteousness has risen with healing in His wings, and pardon and healing are joined together in His hand. He first forgives and then He heals, and the healing virtue which His grace infuses will work in you till you are made whole.
Let me counsel you to seek Him much in His Word before you sleep and when you wake. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, and it was when Christ was teaching that the power of the Lord was present to heal. Let some portion of Scripture, some psalm or promise, be the last thing upon your mind at night and the first in the morning, that your thoughts may be stayed upon Him. Cast each recollection as it arises upon the Lord in prayer, saying, Lord, this also Thou hast seen, heal Thou this memory. And seek the help of faithful pastors and godly friends who can bear this burden with you and pray with you, for the Lord often heals by instruments, though the healing itself is His alone.
We will pray for you that the Lord will give you quiet sleep and peace in waking thought, that He will purge the bitter memory and give you a new and healed heart, and that you may prove that even the leaves of that blessed tree have power to make you whole.
O Lord Jesus, heavenly Physician, look upon this wounded one whom Thou hast loved. Lay Thy hand upon the broken heart and bind up its wounds. Let Thy blood cover all sin and let Thy Spirit heal all sorrow. Give calm in the night and clearness in the day, and let the troubled mind find rest in Thee. Keep this dear soul near to Thyself till all tears are wiped away, and make even these afflictions to work for good, that Thy name may be glorified. Amen.
We very speedily care for bodily diseases, for they are painful and will not let us slumber, but a wound of the spirit, a broken heart that has been bruised in childhood and in youth, is a deeper ill and needs a greater Physician. You have described such a wound, and we would point you to the one Physician who can deal with it.
You must know that in Jesus Christ there is an abundance of healing power. Not only is His fruit sweet and nourishing, but the very leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations. The least thing about Christ is healing. His name, His word, His touch, even the hem of His garment has virtue in it to make the sick whole. These healing leaves change the life blood and make the nature other than it was before. What the memory cannot forget and what reason cannot remove, His grace can heal.
When these dreams come and when the thoughts of that school and of those hard dealings return upon you in the morning, do not strive to heal yourself by mere forgetting, for that is beyond your power. Rather bring the wound at once to Christ. Tell Him all, as a child tells a tender Father. The Sun of Righteousness has risen with healing in His wings, and pardon and healing are joined together in His hand. He first forgives and then He heals, and the healing virtue which His grace infuses will work in you till you are made whole.
Let me counsel you to seek Him much in His Word before you sleep and when you wake. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, and it was when Christ was teaching that the power of the Lord was present to heal. Let some portion of Scripture, some psalm or promise, be the last thing upon your mind at night and the first in the morning, that your thoughts may be stayed upon Him. Cast each recollection as it arises upon the Lord in prayer, saying, Lord, this also Thou hast seen, heal Thou this memory. And seek the help of faithful pastors and godly friends who can bear this burden with you and pray with you, for the Lord often heals by instruments, though the healing itself is His alone.
We will pray for you that the Lord will give you quiet sleep and peace in waking thought, that He will purge the bitter memory and give you a new and healed heart, and that you may prove that even the leaves of that blessed tree have power to make you whole.
O Lord Jesus, heavenly Physician, look upon this wounded one whom Thou hast loved. Lay Thy hand upon the broken heart and bind up its wounds. Let Thy blood cover all sin and let Thy Spirit heal all sorrow. Give calm in the night and clearness in the day, and let the troubled mind find rest in Thee. Keep this dear soul near to Thyself till all tears are wiped away, and make even these afflictions to work for good, that Thy name may be glorified. Amen.
The Encourager
The Encourager
May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.
God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body
Healed Spirit Soul And Body
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Thank you for sharing something so painful and personal. It is understandable that terrible dreams about your school and about your mother would stay with you after you wake up, and that your mind would keep returning to what happened there. God sees what you have carried and He is not distant from that suffering.
Scripture tells us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and heals those who are crushed in spirit. He invites you to bring every fear, memory, and hurt to Him, and He promises a peace that can guard your heart and mind in Christ. When painful memories rise up, especially in dreams, it is often your mind and heart still processing deep wounds. That does not mean you are failing in your faith. It means you have been deeply hurt and you need His gentle healing over time.
You mentioned an abusive mother. The Bible commands us to honor father and mother, and that command remains, but honoring does not mean pretending abuse did not happen or putting yourself back in harm's way. Jesus Himself said that sin can bring division even within the closest family relationships, and He acknowledged the reality of that pain. To honor in a biblical way can include speaking the truth about what happened, setting wise boundaries to protect yourself, and seeking to forgive as God works in your heart, which is a process and not an instant feeling. Forgiveness, as God shows us in Christ, releases the debt to Him and frees your heart, but it does not require you to deny the wrong or to trust someone who remains unsafe.
For the distressing dreams and intrusive thoughts about school, here are some steps that many have found helpful as they seek the Lord for healing. Bring your day to a close with prayer and Scripture, asking the Lord to watch over your sleep, as in Psalm 4:8 which says you can lie down in peace because the Lord keeps you safe. Meditate on promises such as Psalm 27:1, Psalm 34:18, and Philippians 4:6-7 before sleep rather than dwelling on the painful memories at night. When you wake from a bad dream, pray immediately, even briefly, and remind yourself of what is true in Christ, that you are safe in Him today. Keep a simple journal to bring those thoughts into the light, and share them with a trusted pastor, mature believer, or biblical counselor who can walk with you consistently. If the memories feel overwhelming, seeking help from a Christian counselor is a wise and good step, not a lack of faith.
We will pray for you now. Heavenly Father, we come through Jesus Christ alone, our only hope and Savior. We ask You to have mercy on this dear one who is troubled by painful memories and dreams of school and of a mother's abuse. Lord, You know all that happened, every wound and every fear. We ask You to bring Your healing, to quiet the night with Your presence, and to give restful sleep. Guard this heart and mind with Your peace, renew thoughts with Your truth, and show Your love as Father to Your child. Give wisdom for boundaries, grace to walk in truth and forgiveness in Your timing, and bring trusted people alongside to support and encourage. Lead toward full healing and hope in Christ. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Please do not walk through this alone. Stay connected to a local church where you can receive prayer, hear the Word, and be known and supported. If dreams or memories become more distressing, please reach out right away to a pastor or counselor and to a safe person near you. You are not forgotten, and God is able to bring healing step by step as you continue to seek Him.
Scripture tells us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and heals those who are crushed in spirit. He invites you to bring every fear, memory, and hurt to Him, and He promises a peace that can guard your heart and mind in Christ. When painful memories rise up, especially in dreams, it is often your mind and heart still processing deep wounds. That does not mean you are failing in your faith. It means you have been deeply hurt and you need His gentle healing over time.
You mentioned an abusive mother. The Bible commands us to honor father and mother, and that command remains, but honoring does not mean pretending abuse did not happen or putting yourself back in harm's way. Jesus Himself said that sin can bring division even within the closest family relationships, and He acknowledged the reality of that pain. To honor in a biblical way can include speaking the truth about what happened, setting wise boundaries to protect yourself, and seeking to forgive as God works in your heart, which is a process and not an instant feeling. Forgiveness, as God shows us in Christ, releases the debt to Him and frees your heart, but it does not require you to deny the wrong or to trust someone who remains unsafe.
For the distressing dreams and intrusive thoughts about school, here are some steps that many have found helpful as they seek the Lord for healing. Bring your day to a close with prayer and Scripture, asking the Lord to watch over your sleep, as in Psalm 4:8 which says you can lie down in peace because the Lord keeps you safe. Meditate on promises such as Psalm 27:1, Psalm 34:18, and Philippians 4:6-7 before sleep rather than dwelling on the painful memories at night. When you wake from a bad dream, pray immediately, even briefly, and remind yourself of what is true in Christ, that you are safe in Him today. Keep a simple journal to bring those thoughts into the light, and share them with a trusted pastor, mature believer, or biblical counselor who can walk with you consistently. If the memories feel overwhelming, seeking help from a Christian counselor is a wise and good step, not a lack of faith.
We will pray for you now. Heavenly Father, we come through Jesus Christ alone, our only hope and Savior. We ask You to have mercy on this dear one who is troubled by painful memories and dreams of school and of a mother's abuse. Lord, You know all that happened, every wound and every fear. We ask You to bring Your healing, to quiet the night with Your presence, and to give restful sleep. Guard this heart and mind with Your peace, renew thoughts with Your truth, and show Your love as Father to Your child. Give wisdom for boundaries, grace to walk in truth and forgiveness in Your timing, and bring trusted people alongside to support and encourage. Lead toward full healing and hope in Christ. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Please do not walk through this alone. Stay connected to a local church where you can receive prayer, hear the Word, and be known and supported. If dreams or memories become more distressing, please reach out right away to a pastor or counselor and to a safe person near you. You are not forgotten, and God is able to bring healing step by step as you continue to seek Him.
