Why does this always happen to me in dreams?

First let me explain that I am very religious and my personal religious views are very important to me and have been ever since I was a little child. I suffered from severe nightmares when I was a child and even to this day. Many times in my past and now I realize that I am indeed dreaming and I ask God to wake me up. A bright light always appears around me right after I ask that and I am enveloped within it. Then I wake up in my bed. This works all the time and has NEVER failed, and there is always that same light. My first thought says, it must be God at work. However I am open to other opinions as well, especially if you do not believe in God. Please let me know what you think...