Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer, by C.S. Lewis
Brent Jones
Reflections on the Dialogue Between Man and God
C.S. Lewis presents fictional letters written to a close friend Malcolm, who seems very real, that discuss things that are puzzling about having a dialogue with God. ‘For example, one question he asks is “If God is omniscient, why do we give Him information?” Lewis is skilled at explaining difficult questions, and this book considers many giving easy to understand answers.
The book starts out discussing "corporate prayer", praying with others, and private prayer discussing "when to pray and where, ready-made prayer, petitionary prayer, prayer as worship, penitential prayer, and prayer for the dead". Of corporate prayer it is clear he has a negative opinion when he says in a letter: “If you were thinking of corporate prayer, I won’t play. There is no subject in the world (always excepting, sport) of which I have less to say than liturgiology. (the system of church rituals and their symbolism}
The book concludes with Lewis looking into the subjects of the soul and the resurrection and then summing up how he feels by saying “If we were perfected, prayer would not be a duty, it would be a delight. Someday, please God, it will be.”
Quotes
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."
"Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties."
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see HIM."