Published posthumously in 1964, Letters to Malcolm takes the form of a series of letters to a fictional friend, “Malcolm,” in which Lewis meditates on prayer as an intimate dialogue between man and God. Beginning with a discussion of “corporate prayer” and the liturgical service, Lewis goes on to consider practical and metaphysical aspects of private prayer, such as when to pray and where, ready-made prayer, petitionary prayer, prayer as worship, penitential prayer, and prayer for the dead. The concluding letter discusses “liberal” Christians, the soul and resurrection.
Through twenty-two letters between fictitious correspondents, Lewis shares his understanding of the role of prayer in our lives and the ways in which we might better imagine our relationship with God. “We have no non-religious experiences,” he writes, “only religious and irreligious.” With his trademark warmth and wit, Lewis challenges readers to revisit the power of prayer in our everyday lives.
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