What do you think about rugged prayers?
Question:
What do you think about aggressive prayers or rugged type of prayers? Someone told me that there are situations that demand ruggedness, such as shouting, screaming, and crying unto God in prayer and not being silent. That this is the only way to shake heaven. That your silent prayers will do not much. What do you think?
Answer:
I think that the person hasn't read his Bible.
When Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, they were the ones who shouted and screamed. "So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, 'Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.' Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, 'O Baal, answer us.' But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made. It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, 'Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be wakened.' So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them" (I Kings 18:25-28). The true God can't be forced into answering by throwing a temper-tantrum.
Jesus pointed out: "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:7-8). Again, the problem is not getting God's attention. God knows everything and He is aware of what we desire even before we formulate the words in our minds to speak our requests to Him.
The real problem is our sins. "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2). Shouting and screaming at God will not make up for your unrighteousness. Instead, we are told, "Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the LORD" (Psalms 4:4-5). This is the exact opposite of what you were told.
