Praying Specifically: Asking God for Dreams

The last few years, the Lord has gifted me with something neat I felt I needed to share, and it is this: Sometimes we just need to ask specifically through prayer. In fact, He tells us to!

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Prayer.

I may not have a dedicated quiet prayer time, but I do seem to pray all throughout my day, little conversations between me and God all day long. I love that we have this direct calling line to God and that we have the Holy Spirit in us to guide us and even intercede for us. Can’t find my car keys? I pray. Losing my temper with my kids? I pray. Not sure how to handle a situation? I pray. Worried? Pray. Sometimes I hear a whisper in response; sometimes I simply get a weight lifted and peace.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV)

The last few years, the Lord has gifted me with something neat I felt I needed to share, and it is this: Sometimes we just need to ask specifically through prayer. In fact, He tells us to!

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:12-14, NIV)

This is where prayer and dreams collide for me. I ask for God to specifically reveal an answer within a dream.

All throughout the Bible, you see again and again how God uses dreams to reveal a plan or speak to someone:

Joseph (Genesis 37:1-11) The famous dreamer and dream interpreter.

Zacharias (Luke 1:5-23) God used a dream to tell him that he and Elizabeth would have a son, John the Baptist.

Joseph (Matthew 1:202:13) An angel appeared in a dream to Joseph to convince him that Mary’s pregnancy was from the Lord and to keep his marriage promise to her. He also was given dreams to protect his family under the ruling of Herod and when it would be safe to return home.

Let me explain how I’ve seen this in one area of my life:

I find myself praying before falling asleep, laying down my worries and thoughts to help put my mind to rest. Sometimes when I need an answer to calm my thoughts about something particular, I just ask, “Lord, will You give me a dream?” Often times, this has been surrounding the waiting game of “am I pregnant or not?” Over the last years, I cannot count how many times praying this has resulted in a dream revealing the answer.

Some months, it was dreams of blood, and indeed, I would wake up to my period having arrived the next morning or within a day. But a few times, I prayed this prayer and received a dream of a positive pregnancy test, and yes, I found out I was pregnant soon after. It makes me feel so close to the Lord knowing He hears me and answers! Does praying this always result in a dream? No, but I trust He reveals things in His timing. God is not a genie magically appearing with our answer every time– sometimes the answer is simply “wait” or “trust Me.”

Lately, I spend this time prayer time before sleep also bonding with our newest little one still in my belly, treasuring the movements and guessing what position baby is in. Being a mom of 4, sometimes it isn’t until I lie down to rest that I can really focus on the baby. The weeks recently have been, “Who are you, little peanut? What’s your name? What are you like? I can’t wait to see your face!” You know how obsessive I’ve been about if baby is a boy or girl. I have my gut instinct, but I’m also afraid to trust it sometimes out of fear that I’ll be disappointed with my heart so set on my vision for our family.

So last night I finally just asked God, “Lord, can you give me a dream so You can prepare my heart either way?” I heard Him say immediately back, “I will give you a dream.” And He did. I dreamed Mark and I went to an ultrasound (which, we have a 3D one next week scheduled!) and accidentally saw we were having a boy. I still don’t know if I’m “right”—time will tell—but it is easier to trust my gut when I feel the Lord has answered me, confirmed for me, yet again His promise that He whispered to me many years ago.  The promise He made me as I gently rubbed the hair of a sleeping toddle- sized Jaxson and the desire for another boy burst to life within my heart: You will have another son.

 

 

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on thegracebond.com 

Featured Image by Unsplash

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About the Author

Leah Outten resides in the Carolinas with her husband and 5 children. She still maintains an open adoption relationship with her birth daughter and the adoptive parents she chose when she was 16 years old. Using her experiences as a birth mother and a teen mom, she aims to be a source of encouragement that healing and thriving are possible regardless of the path chosen. She now works in the adoption community through her writing, education, and speaking. Leah enjoys helping others navigate their own lifelong adoption stories with the loving support she had throughout her experience

  1. Latisha says:

    I came across this article when looking for information on seeking God to give/reveal dreams. I’ve visited your Instagram page, so I believe it’s safe to conclude that baby boy turned out to be another baby girl. Jaxson still remains the only Mr. I guess sometimes our dreams are hit and misses. Even so, I’m sure you love your children equally all the same.