Verse 6 speaks to something I've been thinking for a while and that's that the internal benefits of prayer vs the external. Several years ago in a small group we watched a video series with Dutch sheets on intercessory prayer. It definitely challenged me and I've been testing prayer ever since from the practical standpoint from which Dutch Sheets presented it. For me, I always found it frustrating to pray for things, sometimes think I've had a real exchange with God, and often acting abnormally as a result but never with the expected or desired result. Here, Paul talks about his ups and downs and how he LEARNED to be content regardless of what was happening around him. If Paul of all people spends most of his life in hardship and learns to be at peace with it rather than expect prayer to change it... I guess I'd better too. That being said, Paul also says here to submit our prayers and supplications and trust God for the rest. Final analysis... Pray like I have been, but not "for" things, pray in that I discuss with God what my fears are, wants are, and at that point release them and be at peace that though they my still go unanswered, I should have peace knowing that in my salvation I should be content no matter how dismal things may appear.