Question

I had a question about the style of the prayers, and I’d be glad to hear some insight from you.
And it is this: when I look at Psalms and all kinds of prayers and supplications instituted by the Tannaim or the medieval authorities (Rishonim) or later authorities (Acharonim), it seems a bit shocking to me (my heart is torn by David pleading and crying out). It looks as though they are begging some radical, cruel Stalin — perish the thought — who refuses to give unless you literally tear open the gates of heaven, beg, recite 515 prayers (Moses prayed “only” 515; the midrash says that one more and he would have been answered). The Creator made the matriarchs barren (Sarah until age 90, Rebecca for 20 years, Rachel until shortly before her death) because He longs for their prayers.
Doesn’t this seem a little strange? It’s clear to me that an atheist, or just a secular person, looking at this would stand there and wonder: if so, what do you want with Him? Is this your God, the one you want to bring us closer to? Where is His mercy? Why does He torment you like this? Are you sure about yourselves? Does this really seem like how things should work? Does this seem normal to you?
In light of this, your realistic view seems more plausible — that the Creator left the earth, and they didn’t grasp this or refused to accept it, and as you say, live with contradictions: they call Him gracious and merciful, a hearer of prayer, close to all who call upon Him, that none who hope in Him will be shamed or humiliated forever, all who take refuge in Him. But then right afterward they say that one has to tear open the gates of heaven and so on — all this, and maybe that still won’t help.
Thank you