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”.