Screwtape: Chapter 4
Screwtape guns for the Patient's inner prayer life...
Chapter 4
TL;DR
In Chapter 4, Screwtape begins to focus on the Patient's prayer life and how Wormwood might subtly sabotage it. He encourages his nephew to keep the Patient focused on feelings during prayer rather than on God Himself.
Screwtape wants the Patient to think of God in vague terms—like a presence "upward" or a projection of his own ideas—rather than considering God's true being and character. He advises Wormwood to encourage his Patient to pray to an object, such as a crucifix and to keep the object in mind rather than his Creator.
He also suggests distracting the Patient with self-activated emotions—like trying to manifest bravery instead of asking God for courage. Wormwood should teach his Patient to measure the success of his prayers based on these feelings, which will inevitably lead to discouragement if the Patient doesn't "feel" anything when he prays.
This chapter reveals how even prayer can be twisted into something self-centered or ineffective if the focus shifts away from God.
"When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." —Matthew 6:6-8
Discussion Questions
- Screwtape wants the Patient to focus more on how he feels during prayer than on who he's actually talking to. Can feelings sometimes get in the way of sincere prayer? How so?
- What's the difference between praying the "right words" out of habit and simply talking to God with honesty? What's the solution to mindless repetition?
- How do you measure the "success" of a prayer? Or is that even possible?
- What kind of prayers draw us closer to God? How can we stay focused and genuine when we pray?
Join the discussion in the comments below or on our Discord server.
ALSO SEE:
- What is prayer?
- What is the right way to pray?
- Should we pray aloud?
- How can I know if I'm hearing God, hearing Satan, or just talking to myself?
- Is it wrong to have pictures of Jesus?
- What kind of being is God?
- What does the Bible say about being self-centered?
- What is idolatry?
Writer/Editor: Catiana (Cat)
Cat is the web producer and editor of 412teens.org. She is known as "412teens" on the 412teens Discord. She loves audiobooks, feeding the people she cares about, and using Christmas lights to illuminate a room. When Cat is not cooking, gardening, or practicing creativity, she enjoys spending time with her two adult kids, six socially-awkward cats, and her amazing friend-amily.
