Chapter 3, The Home Front

[Musician4God]

Screwtape is canny when he points out that one of the biggest struggles for the Christian is to be a Christian to family members. Why is this? Shouldn't we be kindest to those who are closest to us?

Screwtape mentions the pitfall of overspiritualization in this letter. He doesn't like the idea of the patient praying for his mother, but he does say there are ways to render those prayers ineffectual and selfish. Have you ever prayed for someone instead of being kind to him/her on a practical level? Can prayer be a cop-out? Are we ever hypocrites as we pray?

[High King]

Well if you think about it. Christ didn't come to bing peace but rather division. So wouldn't it be logical if that started with our families?

[In Christ Alone]

Actually, I think it is hard, for me, at least, to be talking to family members about Christ, even if all (CLOSE or more distantly related?) are Christians. Even my brothers and sisters! The reason why, I think, is because we have grown up knowing about God, and of course we are Christians but its not like we are just talking about Christ or have conversations about Him. Sure, we pray before meals, read the Bible, discuss it, have family worship once or twice a week, go to church on Sundays, etc. But inbetween those times we hardly mention Christ. We all love God, etc.... but... I'm sure you know what I mean. But if we hardly talk about Christ other then once in a while with "close" family (brothers and sisters, and parents) how are we to talk about Him to distantly related people, or strangers? We have a lot to grow I think. If your talking Christian as in kind, then I think I am probably doing better in that area... I hope.
And I think we probably CAN be hypocrites when we pray... Sometimes prayer CAN become just a thing we have to do, a few lines we memorized to stay every night, always the same, just saying words... to who? But thats not always the way it is... I said it CAN be.