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

Our lives should be marked by constant communication with our heavenly Father. There is to be an attitude of continual transparency and vulnerability before the Lord. We are to be ever mindful of his presence and sovereignty.

Throughout the New Testament we see commands such as: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) and “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Luke records of Jesus, “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (18:1). Prayer is vital in the life of a Christian.

So often we come before the Lord with a set of demands for ourselves and those we love. God does tell us to be persistent in our requests and to pray about everything, but there is so much more to prayer than checking off a list of our desires and hoping God will come through. Prayer is also about thanksgiving. It is about taking the time to thank God for what he has done for us, in us and through us. It is about being thankful that he will answer every prayer in a way that he sees fit, in a way that brings us the most good and the most glory to himself. We can rest in his sovereignty and trust that he will give us wisdom for every situation if we ask (see James 1:5).

God always answers our prayers. The prayer of the believer does not fall on deaf ears. He is attentive when we call upon his name and approach the throne of grace. However, often we are so busy looking for the answer we want that we are not watching for his answer. It then appears that he is not listening. The problem is not with God—it is that we are not being watchful. God might say yes, he could say no, and sometimes he says wait. Whatever the answer, we can be thankful because we know God wants the best for us (see Matthew 7:11). We are to continue to be steadfast in prayer and then watch to see what God will do.

The prophet Habakkuk cried to the Lord, “O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?” (1:1). He felt as though God was tolerating sin instead of punishing it. God heard Habakkuk but had greater plans than Habakkuk could see. He answered him, “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (1:5, NIV). Pray. Then watch.

Pray that God would use you as you are on mission for him. Pray for those you will minister to and alongside. Present your requests before him with thanksgiving and then ask the Spirit to open your eyes to behold the wonderful things he will do.