Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2

Steadfastly means consistently, keeping at it. It means not giving up, praying tenaciously, sticking to it. The Lord Jesus told us that we should “always pray and not lose heart,” that we shouldn’t be discouraged either by the size of our petition or the seeming impossibility of what we ask, because He has promised to hear and respond.

Being “watchful in prayer” adds the idea of keeping an eye out for the answer. How often do we pray for something and then go off and forget what it was we asked? It’s good to have the confidence that once I’ve placed something in God’s hands it’s taken care of and I don’t have to worry about it any more. But if I don’t watch for the answer, I might never know how it came, and then I forget to thank Him when it does come.

Keep an eye on what you asked Him so that you can thank Him for the answer when it comes! It’s a real faith-builder to be able to say, “Do you remember that time when we asked Him for $40,000 and He sent us $100,000 to cover some needs that we hadn’t even seen?”

Lord God, You have answered so many prayers, usually in ways that I never could have imagined. Thank You for always hearing me and for caring about my requests. Thank You for listening to my prayers even now. I wait with joy to see how you will answer my prayers today! Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles