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Dear 4thTimeLucky,
The standard response you'll hear on this is that, Yes, (the Judeo-Christain) God answers petitionary prayers, but not always in the the manner that you want them answered.
Biblically, Jesus said that the Father would answer prayers of all that asked. Further, it is stated that a Father will not give a stone to a child that asks for bread. But Jesus also states that you should not put God to the test by asking for things just to prove God loves you.
So what then does this mean?
Well, this situation is directly analogous to a child asking a father for something. Parents deal with requests differently depending on what it is and what is best for their child.
This means that some requests will be granted, some will be denied and others will be answered in ways that the child doesn't expect. The offshoot of this is that the child may be angry and demand a different response.
So if you pray for healing of a sick relative, it is entirely possible that God would say "yes" and help. It is also possible that the answer is "no" for some reason. (And I haven't even touched free will and actions by individuals.)
BTW there are independent studies that indicate that patients who pray and have prayers said for them tend to heal faster.
__________________
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis
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