With that, Philippians chapter 1 today, and again our text will be verses 7 through 11.

I'll ask you to stand if you're able. If not, that's all right. Where you're seated, you can follow along as I read.

The Apostle Paul is writing by the Holy Spirit and says verse 7,

it is right for me to feel this way about all of you,

since I have you in my heart. And whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel,

all of you share in God's grace with me. God, verse eight, can testify

how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, verse 9, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight

so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Let's pray if you would join with me.

Loving Heavenly Father,

we are so thankful to you for your word

in this portion that we have before us today here in your word. That's

why we're here. We want to hear you speak into our lives concerning those issues that we face

in our lives.

So, Lord, will you at this time, as only you can and always do, speak?

Your servants are listening.

We ask this in Jesus' name.

Amen. You can be seated. Thank you.

So, I want to talk to you today about something that has been an enigmas of sorts to me over the years concerning prayer and my prayer life. More specifically, when and

why it is that sometimes prayers seemingly go unanswered.

And in order to do that, I need to approach the text by making some observations as it relates to

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