Prayer - does it matter if you yell?

Alpine · Aug 9, 2006

This morning as I prayed, I became emotional, and my prayers became more intense. When I was done, I thought about how I pray. I wondered how much was really me, and how much was learned by observing other Christians pray.

So, here's a question for ya'. Does intensity in prayer mean anything? Is there a place for yelling out your prayers or should we be more quiet? Does it really matter?

stone · Aug 9, 2006

Are you yelling in prayer because you saw someone else do that?

Alpine · Aug 9, 2006

stone said:
Are you yelling in prayer because you saw someone else do that?

Well, I'm sure at some point I "learned" it via observing others do it, just like how I have learned many other things as a Christian -via teaching and observance.

I did it because I felt it inside me. I felt intense.

stone · Aug 9, 2006

I can't think of any reason why anyone should speak against yelling in prayer.

Is it in private or dureing your services?

probinson · Aug 9, 2006

Alpine said:
Well, I'm sure at some point I "learned" it via observing others do it, just like how I have learned many other things as a Christian -via teaching and observance.

I did it because I felt it inside me. I felt intense.

Your emotions are real. God gave them to you, and when you're praying if you feel something inside you saying SHOUT! then SHOUT! It won't hurt anything. Just go where God leads you. Even if it was just you wanted to shout, it's cool. God knows your heart, and if your heart is to please Him, I don't think it matters if you whisper or if you scream.

Alpine · Aug 9, 2006

probinson said:
Your emotions are real. God gave them to you, and when you're praying if you feel something inside you saying SHOUT! then SHOUT! It won't hurt anything. Just go where God leads you. Even if it was just you wanted to shout, it's cool. God knows your heart, and if your heart is to please Him, I don't think it matters if you whisper or if you scream.

That's what I think too. But then, isn't it kind of weird that Pentecostals tend to yell in their prayers in public, whereas, most other (I think) Christians tend not too. Could it be a cultural thing?

stone · Aug 9, 2006

Alpine said:
That's what I think too. But then, isn't it kind of weird that Pentecostals tend to yell in their prayers in public, whereas, most other (I think) Christians tend not too. Could it be a cultural thing?

I remember seeing folks yelling and crying out loud in prayer dureing services at the Pentecostal church i attended\probably attend again soon. with tears and all.

youthwalk · Aug 9, 2006

Alpine said:
This morning as I prayed, I became emotional, and my prayers became more intense. When I was done, I thought about how I pray. I wondered how much was really me, and how much was learned by observing other Christians pray.

So, here's a question for ya'. Does intensity in prayer mean anything? Is there a place for yelling out your prayers or should we be more quiet? Does it really matter?

I've screamed "Lord help me!' while praying. I've cried until I was shaking and exhausted while praying. And as you described, it wasn't because I've seen someone do it of have been taught t do it. It happened because I was hurting, confused and alone and I just broke. I've also had moments when I was exhausted and deeply NEEDED the Lord and like Hannah I could only move my lips.

I don't think the noise level of your prayer matters generally. God hears anyway but there come times when circumstances bring us to our knees and all that comes out in distress is "Jesus!". We're human and we express distress and the need for help by yelling, by raising our voices. I think that's natural. God made us so He knows our expressions.

Jesus cried out "My Lord! Why have you forsaken me?" I doubt that was a whisper. His human man felt pain, shame and isolation. Even Jesus.

youthwalk · Aug 9, 2006

probinson said:
Your emotions are real. God gave them to you, and when you're praying if you feel something inside you saying SHOUT! then SHOUT! It won't hurt anything. Just go where God leads you. Even if it was just you wanted to shout, it's cool. God knows your heart, and if your heart is to please Him, I don't think it matters if you whisper or if you scream.

Agreed

That's what I was intending to say. I just need to type faster

stone · Aug 9, 2006

youthwalk said:
Jesus cried out "My Lord! Why have you forsaken me?" I doubt that was a whisper. His human man felt pain, shame and isolation. Even Jesus.

I'd like to add a tid bit of information here. When i learned about these jewish teachings, i found what was said even more beautiful.

A rabbi teaches children as they grow up from very young till they get older and older and go their ways as adults and such. The children memorize all of the writeings in Torah and they memorize the psalms and other witeings. When a rabbi speaks the 1st sentence of in this example a pslam, the entire psalm comes to mind of the pupil.

When J-sus said this on the cross, this is what went through their minds, as they cried for him:

My God! My God! Why have you abandoned me? Why so far from helping me, so far from my anguished cries?

My God, by day I call to you, but you don't answer; likewise at night, but I get no relief.

Nevertheless, you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Isra'el.

In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted, and you rescued them.

They cried to you and escaped; they trusted in you and were not disappointed.

But I am a worm, not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.

All who see me jeer at me; they sneer and shake their heads:

"He committed himself to ADONAI, so let him rescue him! Let him set him free if he takes such delight in him!"

But you are the one who took me from the womb, you made me trust when I was on my mother's breasts.

Since my birth I've been thrown on you; you are my God from my mother's womb.

Don't stay far from me, for trouble is near; and there is no one to help.

Many bulls surround me, wild bulls of Bashan close in on me.

They open their mouths wide against me, like ravening, roaring lions.

I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; my heart has become like wax it melts inside me;

my mouth is as dry as a fragment of a pot, my tongue sticks to my palate; you lay me down in the dust of death.

Dogs are all around me, a pack of villains closes in on me like a lion [at] my hands and feet.

I can count every one of my bones, while they gaze at me and gloat.

They divide my garments among themselves; for my clothing they throw dice.

But you, ADONAI, don't stay far away! My strength, come quickly to help me!

They pierced my hands and feet, my life from the power of the dogs.

Save me from the lion's mouth! You have answered me from the wild bulls' horns.

I will proclaim your name to my kinsmen; right there in the assembly I will praise you:

"You who fear ADONAI, praise him! All descendants of Ya'akov, glorify him! All descendants of Isra'el, stand in awe of him!

For he has not despised or abhorred the poverty of the poor; he did not hide his face from him but listened to his cry."

Because of you I give praise in the great assembly; I will fulfill my vows in the sight of those who fear him.

The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek ADONAI will praise him; Your hearts will enjoy life forever.

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to ADONAI; all the clans of the nations will worship in your presence.

For the kingdom belongs to ADONAI, and he rules the nations.

All who prosper on the earth will eat and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him, including him who can't keep himself alive,

A descendant will serve him; the next generation will be told of Adonai.

They will come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he is the one who did it.

sherri · Aug 10, 2006

I think people can be whipped up into emotionalism in penticostal services (I've heard of it anyway) but there's a place for the genuine too. I agree with what probinson said (i'm always trying to rep that guy but they won't let me). ie just go with what God leads.

It's cultural in the west to always be 'sedate' and quiet in church but the old testament doesn't really support that approach. Sometimes we need to get passionate in praying. I was in Korea a few years ago and the people there really cry out to God and get intensly into prayer. And as a result they have a reputation all over the christian world for the power of their prayers. It's something they're well known for.

Jillymac · Aug 10, 2006

I don't believe you need to yell. I believe emotions can take us to that level yeah definitely. But God can hear out thoughts, depending on what you're praying for, your spoken words have more of an impact, but they can be heard whether yelling or speaking normally. I would say the power is in the words not the intensity of volume.

stone · Aug 10, 2006

Father knows what is in our hearts, if yelling is in yours, then yell, if whispering, then whisper, if you speak only in your mind then speak, he will listen.

Ps 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Ps 44:21
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Ps 62:8
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

TreeOfLife · Aug 10, 2006

Jillymac said:
I don't believe you need to yell. I believe emotions can take us to that level yeah definitely. But God can hear out thoughts, depending on what you're praying for, your spoken words have more of an impact, but they can be heard whether yelling or speaking normally. I would say the power is in the words not the intensity of volume.

I HAVE TO ADMIT, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT SEEMS OUT OF PLACE!!!!

But then again, what if I was just of place and a bit of yelling is what God used to get my attention?

Jillymac · Aug 10, 2006

STOP SHOUTING TREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

I don't think shouting is wrong at all, but it's just to say God will hear us no matter how we shout, yell, whisper, chat, talk, mouth, cry etc etc

TheAJKMan · Aug 10, 2006

Alpine said:
I did it because I felt it inside me. I felt intense.

Then that is all tha matters. I have no problem with someone doing that, so long as they are doing it for reasons along the lines you've given. But to do it to impress others, or show off generally put me off.

TheAJKMan

DiscipleWhomJesusLoves · Aug 10, 2006

Alpine said:
This morning as I prayed, I became emotional, and my prayers became more intense. When I was done, I thought about how I pray. I wondered how much was really me, and how much was learned by observing other Christians pray.

So, here's a question for ya'. Does intensity in prayer mean anything? Is there a place for yelling out your prayers or should we be more quiet? Does it really matter?

The volume doesn't matter. You can whisper or shout, close your eyes or open them wide esp when you are driving. You can do it in the toilet or in your car.

Rem Hanah prayed so softly Eli the priest taught she was drunk and scolded her. But God gave her her request for a baby and Samuel was born.

cavell · Aug 10, 2006

Alpine said:
This morning as I prayed, I became emotional, and my prayers became more intense. When I was done, I thought about how I pray. I wondered how much was really me, and how much was learned by observing other Christians pray.

So, here's a question for ya'. Does intensity in prayer mean anything? Is there a place for yelling out your prayers or should we be more quiet? Does it really matter?

I was saved in my teens, I am now a Senior Citizen. All my life I have been passionate in prayer, to the extent of crying out loudly to the LOrd. I have witnessed wonderful answers to this kind of prayring.

Listening to Pastor Paul Yongi Cho recently, (his church in Seol, S Korea numbers 775,000) I noted that throughout an excellent message of biblical exegesis, and testimony, he never once raised his voice. He was excited at times as he told of victory over disease, demon possession, even death. But he never shouted.

Sincerity, is the important thing.

TheAJKMan · Aug 11, 2006

cavell said:
Sincerity, is the important thing.

Nicely put, that is the most important thing in all of the christian walk.

TheAJKMan

Mattacious · Aug 11, 2006

It depends. There is a time for yelling and a time for peace and whispering. It depends.

Prayer - does it matter if you yell?

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