Foundations
Episode 7
Emotions: A Doorway to Prayer
Every emotion is an opportunity to step into conversation with the Father.
SERIES: FOUNDATIONS
Episode 7 of 7
These companion notes are designed to help you continue the conversation with God beyond the episode.
SCRIPTURE
What We Studied for this Episode
These are some of the Scriptures we used to prepare and share in this episode. Click the triangle to see the passages.
Psalm 6:1-4 – David describes his grief in prayer
6 I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief;
it grows weak because of all my foes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Matthew 6:25-32 – Jesus talks about anxiety
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[g] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Psalm 139:17-24 – David’s prayer moves to anger
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.[b]
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts![c]
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Philippians 4:4-7 – The promise of peace as you bring anxious thoughts to God
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS
As Mentioned on this Episode
These are the books, articles, podcasts, and other resources referenced during this conversation.
Rewire your Brain with Liz Bagwell
The format of this podcast is similar to a devotional guide. The goal is to help you build a daily rhythm of prayer that is gratitude-driven and Biblically based. Liz is a Christian who also has a background in healthcare, reinforcing the evidence-based methods of neuroplasticity and combining them with Christian principles. Each episode is about 25 minutes long and has several practical exercises to help you move away from anxiety and towards the Truth of God’s Word, through prayer and meditation.
REFLECT
Slow down and consider what God may be showing you.
Read slowly through the Scriptures and think back to the conversation. Don’t rush to the “right” answer. What draws your heart?
Notice
What kinds of emotions do you easily bring to God in prayer? Are there any areas of emotion that are difficult to navigate as you pray?
Consider
Psalm 63:1 says, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” David uses the opportunity to turn to God. What areas of your life is feeling parched and weary? Take some time to consider how to bring your honest feelings to God, as David did.
Respond
As you dialogue in your mind throughout the day, how can you turn your thoughts (such as complaining or worrying) into prayers? Take time to practice moving forward from the emotion into a time of prayerful surrender to God.
PRACTICE
This Week
One simple invitation
Choose something that you frequently feel worried about, angry about, or complain about often. Begin each morning to pray specifically about that thing, even if you don’t feel that way at the time.
Notice if, by the end of the week, your perspective has changed on this specific area.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Share what God is Teaching You
We would love to hear what God. is teaching you through these conversations. Come and share your story, your questions, your reflections, and even your ideas for future episodes.
Email us at unpolishedprayer@gmail.com
If this conversation encouraged you, consider sharing this episode with someone who may be encouraged as well.
A Note About Our Resources
The resources shared on this page are intended to support the conversations on Unpolished Prayer and encourage continued growth in prayer and a deeper understanding of Scripture. While we carefully select resources we believe are faithful and helpful, we encourage every listener to test what they read and hear against the truth of God’s Word.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.