Going Somewhere

87: Unfiltered Prayers

Episode Summary

Stephen and Megan unpack the 8 core emotions from Chip Dodd’s Voice of the Heart, share how David modeled raw honesty with God, and encourage listeners to turn their real feelings into unfiltered prayers. Be sure to subscribe today!

Episode Notes

Prayer isn’t always polished — and it was never meant to be. David, called a man after God’s own heart, showed us what raw, honest prayer looks like in the Psalms. He brought every emotion to God — fear, joy, guilt, shame, anger, hope, and more. (If you want an example, read the story of David hiding in a cave in 1 Samuel 22 alongside Psalm 142.)

In this episode, Stephen and Megan explore what Christian counselor Chip Dodd calls the Voice of the Heart — 8 core emotions that every one of us experiences. Each emotion signals something deeper, and when we bring them to God, they can become starting points for unfiltered prayer.

We’ll unpack each one with a definition, reflection questions, and a simple prayer:

1. Hurt → Signal: Something meaningful was damaged | Prayer: God, this still hurts. Meet me in it.
2. Lonely → Signal: I was made for connection | Prayer: God, remind me I’m not alone.
3. Sad → Signal: I’ve lost something that mattered | Prayer: God, be near in the ache.
4. Angry → Signal: Something isn’t right | Prayer: God, help me release what I can’t fix.
5. Fearful → Signal: I feel vulnerable or unsafe | Prayer: God, be my refuge and strength.
6. Guilty → Signal: I’ve done something wrong | Prayer: God, I confess — give me Your grace.
7. Shame → Signal: I feel unworthy | Prayer: God, speak truth over my identity.
8. Glad → Signal: This is what I was made for | Prayer: God, thank You for this good moment.

Whether you’re feeling joy or pain, grief or gratitude, remember this: if it’s in your heart, it belongs in your prayers.