Screwtape Letters 4-7

Right away in letter 4, Screwtape references one of Wormwood's letters, and I think that it would be easier to understand Screwtape's letters if Wormwood's responses were also included in this book.  Screwtape's ideas of prayer are very intriguing.  When you think of prayer, and the reasons that most will deny participating is that prayer today has become more voiced and some may feel awkward if they do not follow the same prayer practices that those around them do.  I find it that when I need to seek God through prayer, I do it silently and usually when I am alone.  However, society today has become more voiced about their prayers and often will share their prayers within a group of fellow Christians.  Screwtape references they typical "bent knees and moving lips" prayers, yet then follows that by something that I find very true, the idea that one's bodily position makes no difference to their prayers.  I actually agree with this idea because I believe that no matter where you are, or what  you are doing, you should be able to seek out the Lord in prayer, and not have to stop to get on your knees and bow your head.  I believe that God hears your prayers the same no matter how you are praying.  I agree with how Screwtape says that Christians have become adapted to "sloppy prayer", however, I don't agree in the sense that just because we do not follow typical prayer posture we have sloppy prayers.  You can be in full meditation and in concentration with God yet be in a "sloppy" position.

Screwtape Letters 1-3

After reading the first 3 chapters of The Screwtape Letters I was very confused as to what was taking place.  I understand that Screwtape is writing letters to his nephew, Wormwood, and in the first 3 letters at least he is discussing one of Wormwood's patients.  He is discussing how the patient wants to become a Christian, and trying to point out all of the negative aspects of being a Christian.  In this sense, I understand that Screwtape is trying to sway people the concepts of Christian beliefs and Heaven and towards the devil and Hell.  The 3rd letter is probably the one that I relate to the most because Screwtape mentions the relationship between the patient and his mother.  It makes me think of the relationship between my own mother and I.  We really didn't have a good relationship until this past Christmas, and now it's getting to be quite a close relationship.  I had always been close to my dad, and after his death my mom and I grew even farther apart.  She moved on rather fast while I was still in denial of his death, and I would avoid her “new life” at all costs because she changed into a different person.   It took me until this past Christmas to point out to her that she had changed and for her to actually see that she had.  Ever since, our relationship has grown and is actually what a mother-daughter relationship should be.