Re #2, perhaps faith is a better word than belief. As in walking on water. (Actually the first and second things should have been in the same paragraph. I didn't intend to separate them like that.) On a non-religious level, the power of suggestion is a very strong force. If I'm afraid I'm going to forget the lyrics of a song, I'll do it. I don't have to make a decision to do the thing that frightens me - all I have to do is think about it.

You never said you actually did anything. All you said was "...even agreement in my own mind that I would be better off praying to the devil, did put an end..." You just thought about it.

Having friends may not help you solve anything, but it's something that's gone right in your life, eh? Even if you didn't specifically ask or pray for it?