A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.
C. S. LewisRead
We want to know not how we should pray if we were perfect but how we should pray being as we now are ... It is no use to ask God with factitious earnestness for A when our whole mind is in reality filled with the desire for B. We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of being genuine in prayer, acknowledging our true desires rather than pretending to be perfect.
C. S. Lewis highlights that authentic prayer arises from honesty about our current state rather than an idealized version of ourselves. He argues that we should present our true feelings and desires to God instead of conforming to what we believe we should be. This approach reflects a deeper understanding of human nature and the significance of sincerity in our spiritual practices.
Themes
PrayerAuthenticityHonestySinceritySpirituality
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker discussing the importance of vulnerability in spiritual practices could use this quote.
More from C. S. Lewis
All quotes βI enjoyed my breakfast this morning, and I think that was a good thing and do not think it was condemned by God. But I do not think myself a good man for enjoying it.
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Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
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Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
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I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
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The instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred
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