# A Thread for fellow Christians

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fellow-christians/153095>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [February 6, 2003, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fellow-christians/153095 "2003-02-06T01:35:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![GOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5f9b8f/32.png) [@GOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GOM)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-fellow-christians/153095/21 "2003-02-08T07:54:04Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Joel \*  
> \*\*The point being, that even though there’s the “Ask and you shall receive” and many other similar passages, do they apply to the physical world? I was just saying that I don’t think so, because, using my wife as an example, I can ask, but she’ll probably die uncured. \*\*

Hi Joel,

I would say: Yes. They do apply to the physical world. Sometimes. I have heard too many reports from Christians about answered prayer to say otherwise. However we know that God does not answer **all** of our prayers. Even the Apostle Paul asked God three times for healing, but God turned him down. Why? I’m not exactly sure. God’s wisdom in these things is far beyond our comprehension. There have been times I have tried to figure it out, but I have reached the conclusion that I am only wasting my time even trying. Now I just trust God. When we get to heaven He will explain it all to each one of us, imo.

I think of prayer this way: Sometimes God tells us “Yes”. Sometimes God tells us “No”. And sometimes God tells us “Wait”.

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