Distract the patient with what he thinks is the Enemy: images derived of the Enemy from the Incarnation; even vaguer images associated with the other two Persons. You will find that his “God” is located on a wall in the bedroom, or in a crucifix, or just an image in his head. Whatever the nature of this object, keep him praying to it.
If he ever loses this, if he ever flings asides such thoughts and images, and prays not to what he thinks God is but to what God knows Himself to be, then the incalculable may occur. Yet, all is not lost: humans do not desire such a nakedness in prayer as much as they suppose.
I am reminded of this scene in the Garden, after Adam disobeyed God and ate the fruit:
Conclusion
Whether he adopts Patriotism or Pacifism, Wormwood’s main task is the same. Turn these into a part of his religion. Have him come to embrace the one or the other as the most important part. Eventually you will bring him to believe that “Christianity” is valued precisely because of the excellent arguments it can produce in favor of either the war effort or of pacifism.
Once you have made the World an end, and faith a means, you have almost won your man, and it makes very little difference what kind of worldly end he is pursuing.
Keep him focused on pamphlets and policies; have these be more valuable to him than prayers and sacraments and charity. He will feel very much more “religious,” and he will be very much more ours.
