^what fgm said and I would add to the idea that someone's the answer is no by saying that when one goes to God and thanks him for His Will, believing that as a loving Father he would know what is best and thanks Him for the response before it arrives, that if the result one requested isn't given God sees/knows something we don't in every direction of time and space possible.
When you are ill, you go to the doctor. As a believer in God's healing power, where there is illness I also ask for His Healing Touch. [refer to jojoc's Adoption post in the pic forum for an example] As a believer in His Power and Authority, where man doesn't offer justice I pray for His justice. When I fear danger and my own weakness, I pray for His Power and Protection. Yes, we must do what we can to heal and protect ourselves and those we love, always aiming to do what is right, but we are shortsighted. If an earthly father were the most compassionate and effective bodyguard, attorney, judge, doctor, psychologist, adviser I would go to him for help. I believe in God because of what I've experienced of Him as the most compassionate and effective in all those roles.
John- I know this all goes back to the often misunderstood and simple response of "It's a faith thing," which is frustrating. I was told the same as a child and didn't understand. So I said a simple prayer, "If you are really real, show me what faith is, because if it's real and you are real I want it." And then set about gaining faith the hard way. He was faithful when I wasn't. He was faithful and so were others in prayer, when I wasn't. Leave a crack in the door open for him...he doesn't need a large one to get in, although I wish I would have thrown the door open back then if I knew what I know now.
my .02, John
