I have friends struggling with bad dreams. For one person, they go back to his time of service in Vietnam. My friends have memories that have been triggered by recent personal events. I wonder how to pray for my friends. As in their cases, one’s “mind” may be outside of willful control due to the non-conscious release of chemicals that trigger neurological responses. One’s “mind” is deeply embedded. It is not just a matter of brain neurology. Mind is enacted through bodily experiences as well as one’s environmental embeddedness, and, consequently, thoughts and dreams may be triggered by various factors.
I have published earlier posts on basic Christianity, the nature of temptation,and the active mental discipline of rejecting evil thoughts that come to mind (7/10/24, 2/6/25, and 2/17/25). One’ mindset can be on the things of the sinful nature or on the desires of the Spirit (Rom 8:5-6). But my friends’ situations are different. They are not allowing temptations to dwell in their thought lives.
I am reminded though, that the Spirit who searches all things and knows the deep things of God (1Cor 2:10b-11), must fully know the depths of their minds. And, if the Spirit can bring to the disciples’ minds what Jesus taught them (John 14:26), then I imagine that the Spirit can bring fresh and healing thoughts to my friends’ minds even as they sleep. That is my prayer.
Come Holy Spirit. I pray that You, who know the thoughts and memories that come to our minds, will nurture those of my friends even as they sleep. Provide thoughts that are healing, care for the thoughts that need comforting, and turn back any that would cast shadows in their hearts. Amen.
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