Letter 27

" Don't forget to use the 'heads I win, tails you lose' argument. If the thing he prays for doesn't happen, then that is one more proof that petitionary prayers don't work; if it does, he will, of course, be able to see some of the physical causes which led up to it, and 'therefore it would have happened anyway', and this a granted prayer becomes jsut as good as proof as a denied one taht prayers are ineffective. " Page 148

I thought this was a very interesting idea Screwtape brings up. I feel that today many people do use prayer incorrectly and when they don't see the results they want immediately they then doubt religion. My understanding of prayer is that it should not be used for selfish reasons or even to ask for tangible things. Praying for health and the wellness of others should come before a girl returning to you or for money or a car. Therefore if the patient feels betrayed when he doesn't get what he prays for I think Screwtape has won the battle a long time ago.