Your thoughts on prayer

Yes that is true, Sue.  Jesus talked about the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.  Most people think that "salvation" is where you go when you die, but actually it starts in the here and now.  Faith in God provides a good anchor to "heaven" even in the most appalling circumstances, as many have testified over the centuries. 

When Satan, in his arrogance, rebelled against God, a war broke out in heaven between Satan, his minions, and Michael the arch angel and his angelic armies. God thus ousted Satan from heaven, forbidding his return. Satan's dominion would be the earth from that point forward; and in fact, scripture calls him the ruler of this world.

Diana, do you believe this is literally true? Do you believe there really is a supernatural being called Satan and a host of angels? That we suffer earthquakes etc. because Adam and Eve disobeyed God? That there is 'sin and corruption' on Earth because Satan is in charge of the place?

The USA and the UK are very different when it comes to religion - I suppose that's why I find talking to American believers so interesting. None of the English people I know have these beliefs.

Catherine, the phrase 'trust without reservations' is lovely - but really it's just a rewording (in far more attractive language) of 'belief without proof'.

John, where have you been. This is one of the bedrocks of Christianity and the Church worldwide. Paradise Lost.

None of the English people I know have these beliefs.

You're just not moving in the right circles, John.!

To me, Satan looks just like us, he is one of us, just hasn't got a physical body yet.

He certainly isn't hidden behind a grotesque mask, horns, cloven feet or any other inhuman physical characteristics.

"....horns, cloven feet....."  I believe the truth is quite the contrary.  I believe the Scriptures described him as one of God's most beautiful angels.  How better to persuade people to forsake God and commit sins? 

 He hasn't got a physical body yet -- enter Bible prophecy and the Antichrist.

Thanks for the straightforward answers, folks.

Fascinating!

Our cultures really are very, very different.

My sister's daughter lives in Texas, and my sister visits her a couple of times a year. When she comes home, she's always full of stories of the conversations she's had with Americans. She finds those conversations jaw-dropping, and so do I.

I think because we look so alike, share a common language, and have common roots, we often don't appreciate just how different we are.

I believe We were sent to this earth to learn and grow, through good times and bad. We were given free agency to choose between good and evil. If God were to intercede every time something bad was about to happen, where would be the growth?

If we lived without pain, weakness, sorrow, disaster etc, what would life on earth be like? I'd say pretty boring and with not much point to it. Besides that, if there were no opposites, good/bad  pain/health, happy/sad then we would not even recognise what our existence was. You can't know good if you've never experienced bad.

When people commit crimes, the Lord could stop them, but then those people would have been denied their free agency.

Also our time here on earth is just a droplet in the ocean compared to eternity. A short span of time to prove ourselves.

Oh dear, I don't express myself as eloquently as others here, sorry.