Screwtape describes quite well how Christians can easily be led astray when they actually believe they are a devote member of their faith. The first way in which Screwtape advises his nephew to distract his patient is through prayer. I can see how this strategy could work very well because I could see someone believing they are praying or talking with God, but in fact they are so distracted. Often people pray or speak to God simply to ask for things, make themselves feel better, or feel sorry for themselves. Instead of praying to be close with God, they are being selfish. The type of prayer that Screwtape describes is an interesting way to look at the misuse of prayer, for he describes prayer through reflection or silence. However, a lot of Christians do not have the faith and devotion to pray in this manner, so instead of being closer to God they are being pushed farther away.
Screwtape then switches to the misuse of the image of God as a way to separate man from his faith. I see where he is going with this strategy, for if you do not think of God our creator and Father, but instead you think of God as a picture or the crucifix you can create a huge gap between Him and yourself. God is more than an image but a being who is our protector who cares and loves for us. Although Screwtape suggests this to his nephew he warns him that God is always there, so if his patient begins praying and seeing God in the right light God will be there waiting with open arms. I think that it is very true that no matter when someone turns to God he will always be there.
2 comments:
I am happy to say that all of our ideas about God are the same, and am sad to say that I am guilty at some times for using prayer in that way. I always remember the advice that I got at church one week to always make sure that you thank God as many times as you ask him for something in prayer.
The idea of separation of man from his faith through images is a good strategy and without the connection through prayer, this strategy seems plausible. Without an emotional closeness trying to bring a physical aspect into the picture makes an even greater gap between faith and ourselves.
I agree with both Jacki and Corianna and the subject of misusing prayer. It’s very difficult sometimes to determine whether we are using prayer as a tool to get closer to God or if we are just doing it because we want something, or if we are having a bad day and feeling sorry for ourselves. I too am guilty of both scenarios; I’m not proud of it either.
However, I do like what Corianna said about thanking God for the good He does in our lives, just as much, if not more than asking for things. Good advice and thanks for sharing that!
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