PUSH: Pray Until Something Happens

Main Text: Luke 18:1–8

Key Verse: “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” — Luke 18:1

Theme: When the answer seems delayed, when heaven seems silent, and when circumstances refuse to change, Jesus teaches us not to give up. We must keep coming to God in faith, surrender, and obedience, trusting His wisdom and His timing.

Sermon Key: P.U.S.H. — Pray Until Something Happens.

Introduction: What Do You Do When Nothing Seems to Be Happening?

Beloved, it is easy to pray when the answer comes immediately.

It is easy to praise God when the door opens quickly.

It is easy to testify when the sickness disappears, when the money comes, when the child changes, when the job arrives, or when the problem is solved.

But what do you do when you have prayed on Monday and nothing happens?

You pray again on Tuesday.

What do you do when Tuesday passes and nothing changes?

You pray again on Wednesday.

What if Wednesday becomes Thursday?

You keep praying.

What if one week becomes one month?

You keep praying.

What if one month becomes one year?

You keep trusting God.

Jesus said:

“Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” — Luke 18:1

Church, there are two choices when trouble continues.

You can pray, or you can lose heart.

You can look upward, or you can give up.

You can trust God, or you can surrender to despair.

But Jesus says, “Do not lose heart. Keep praying.”

1. P — PRAY

Before we talk about praying until something happens, we must begin with the first word:

PRAY.

Prayer is not our last option.

Prayer should be our first response.

Too often, we try everything before we pray.

We call friends.

We call relatives.

We call the doctor.

We call the bank.

We call the lawyer.

We call everybody — and then, when everybody fails, we say, “Let us pray.”

But the child of God should learn to say:

“Before I call anybody, let me call upon the Lord.”

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” — Psalms 50:15

Prayer Is an Invitation From God

God is not irritated when His children call Him.

God is not too busy for you.

God does not say, “You prayed yesterday; why are you here again?”

He says:

“Call to Me, and I will answer you.” — Jeremiah 33:3

What a privilege!

The Creator of heaven and earth invites ordinary people to speak with Him.

Illustration: The Child Who Knows Where to Go

A little child may be playing outside when something frightens him.

He may not understand the problem.

He may not know how to solve it.

But he knows one thing:

He knows where his father is.

He runs home shouting, “Daddy!”

He may not have the solution, but he knows the person who can help him.

Church, prayer is not knowing every answer.

Prayer is knowing where your Father is.

2. U — UNTIL

This may be the hardest word in PUSH.

Until.

Everybody wants the “something happens.”

But not everybody likes the “until.”

“Until” means waiting.

“Until” means persistence.

“Until” means I prayed and did not yet see the answer.

“Until” means I still believe God even when I cannot see what He is doing.

This is exactly what Jesus teaches in Luke 18.

The Persistent Widow

Jesus told of a widow who had a serious problem.

She went to a judge and said:

“Get justice for me from my adversary.” — Luke 18:3

The judge did not fear God.

He did not respect people.

And initially, he refused to help her.

But the woman kept coming.

She came today.

She came tomorrow.

She came again.

And again.

She refused to disappear.

Eventually the judge said:

“Because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” — Luke 18:5

Now understand the lesson carefully.

Jesus is not saying that God is like an unjust judge.

Jesus is teaching by contrast.

If persistence can obtain a response even from an unjust judge, how much more can God's children trust their righteous and loving Father?

“And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him?” — Luke 18:7

Delay Does Not Mean Denial

Somebody needs to hear this:

God's silence does not mean God's absence.

God may appear silent while He is working.

A seed planted in the ground makes no noise.

You cannot hear it growing.

You cannot see what is happening beneath the soil.

But hidden beneath the ground, life is developing.

One day, what was invisible breaks through the surface.

Do not dig up your seed every morning to see whether it is growing.

Keep trusting God.

3. The Example of Elijah — Pray Again

One of the greatest examples of persistent prayer is Elijah.

For three and a half years, there had been no rain.

Then Elijah went to Mount Carmel to pray.

“Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees.” — 1 Kings 18:42

Elijah prayed and then told his servant:

“Go up now, look toward the sea.” — 1 Kings 18:43

The servant returned.

What did he say?

“There is nothing.”

That is one of the hardest reports to receive after prayer.

“There is nothing.”

You prayed about the job.

There is nothing.

You prayed about the child.

There is nothing.

You prayed about your finances.

There is nothing.

You prayed about the sickness.

There seems to be nothing.

But what did Elijah say?

“Go again.” — 1 Kings 18:43

Church, that is the message.

GO AGAIN!

Pray again.

Believe again.

Open the Bible again.

Kneel down again.

Call His name again.

Elijah sent the servant back seven times.

Then the seventh time, the servant said:

“There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!” — 1 Kings 18:44

The answer did not begin as a thunderstorm.

It began as a little cloud.

Do not despise small beginnings.

Your answer may begin with one telephone call.

One opportunity.

One changed attitude.

One doctor's report.

One conversation.

One small opening.

And before long:

“The sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain.” — 1 Kings 18:45

When you have prayed and there is nothing, pray again.

4. S — SOMETHING

Here we must understand something very important.

PUSH means “Pray Until Something Happens.”

But the “something” that happens may not always be exactly what you expected.

Sometimes God changes the situation.

Sometimes God changes you.

Sometimes God opens the door.

Sometimes God closes the door.

Sometimes God removes the burden.

Sometimes God gives you strength to carry it.

Paul Prayed Three Times

The apostle Paul had what he called a “thorn in the flesh.”

He prayed three times for God to remove it.

But God's answer was:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Paul prayed.

Something happened.

But what happened?

The thorn remained, but grace came.

The problem remained, but power came.

The weakness remained, but Christ became greater in Paul's weakness.

Sometimes the miracle is not that God changes what is around you.

Sometimes the miracle is that God changes what is inside you.

Do Not Try to Command God

Prayer is not forcing God to carry out our plans.

Prayer is placing our lives into God's hands.

Jesus Himself prayed in Gethsemane:

“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” — Matthew 26:39

This is mature prayer:

“Lord, this is what I desire, but Your will is better than mine.”

5. H — HAPPENS

When God's time comes, something happens.

When God moves, no human being can stop Him.

“For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” — Psalms 33:9

Ask Israel at the Red Sea.

Something happened.

Ask Daniel in the lions' den.

Something happened.

Ask the three Hebrew young men inside the fiery furnace.

Something happened.

Ask Peter inside the prison.

Something happened.

Ask blind Bartimaeus.

Something happened.

Ask Jairus.

Something happened.

Ask Mary and Martha at Lazarus' tomb.

Something happened.

When Jesus enters the situation, something happens.

6. Blind Bartimaeus — Don't Let People Silence Your Prayer

Mark 10 tells us about a blind man named Bartimaeus.

When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried:

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” — Mark 10:47

But the people around him told him to be quiet.

Perhaps they said:

“You are making too much noise.”

“Jesus is too important for you.”

“Stop disturbing everybody.”

But the Bible says:

“He cried out all the more.” — Mark 10:48

I love Bartimaeus.

The more they told him to stop, the louder he became.

Why?

Because the people asking him to be quiet were not blind.

They could go home without a miracle.

Bartimaeus could not.

Sometimes people who do not carry your burden will not understand your prayer.

They may say, “Why do you keep praying about this?”

Because they do not feel what you feel.

They do not carry what you carry.

They do not know the nights you have cried.

Bartimaeus said, in effect:

“You can keep quiet if you want. I need Jesus.”

And the Bible says:

“So Jesus stood still.” — Mark 10:49

What a sentence!

A blind beggar prayed until Jesus stopped.

Keep calling upon Christ.

7. Hannah — When Prayer Comes From a Broken Heart

Hannah knew what it meant to pray through pain.

Year after year, she carried the burden of childlessness.

Peninnah provoked her.

People misunderstood her.

Even Eli the priest misunderstood her prayer.

But Hannah went before God.

“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.” — 1 Samuel 1:10

She could hardly make a sound.

Her lips moved, but her voice could not be heard.

Yet heaven heard what people could not hear.

Never think that powerful prayer must always be loud.

Sometimes the deepest prayers have no audible words.

Sometimes all you have are tears.

But David says:

“Put my tears into Your bottle.” — Psalms 56:8

God understands the prayer behind the tear.

And in God's time, Samuel was born.

8. Daniel — The Answer May Already Be on the Way

Daniel 10 gives us another powerful lesson.

Daniel prayed and fasted for three weeks.

For twenty-one days, there appeared to be no answer.

But when the angel finally arrived, he told Daniel:

“From the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard.” — Daniel 10:12

Did you hear that?

Daniel prayed for twenty-one days.

But God heard him on day one.

The delay was not because God had ignored him.

There was a spiritual conflict Daniel could not see.

Somebody may be on day ten.

Somebody may be on day fifteen.

Somebody may be on day twenty.

You are saying, “God has forgotten me.”

But heaven may be saying:

“I heard you on the first day.”

Do not interpret delay as abandonment.

9. Jesus Is the Center of Persistent Prayer

Church, PUSH must never become merely a slogan.

Prayer is powerful because of who we are praying to.

Our confidence is not in repetition.

Our confidence is not in the volume of our voice.

Our confidence is not in how long we stay on our knees.

Our confidence is in Jesus Christ.

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 2:5

We can approach God's throne because Jesus opened the way.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” — Hebrews 4:16

Why can sinners come boldly?

Because we have a High Priest.

Because Jesus died for us.

Because Jesus rose again.

Because Jesus ascended to heaven.

Because Jesus intercedes for His people.

“He always lives to make intercession for them.” — Hebrews 7:25

This is precious to us as Seventh-day Adventist Christians.

Our Savior is not lying helplessly in a grave.

Jesus is alive.

Jesus ministers for us in the heavenly sanctuary.

Jesus is our High Priest.

Jesus understands our weakness.

Jesus represents us before the Father.

Therefore, keep praying.

10. Prayer Must Be Joined With God's Word

Persistent prayer is not repeating our wishes until God surrenders.

Biblical prayer is anchored in God's promises.

Jesus said:

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” — John 15:7

Notice the order.

First: abide in Christ.

Second: let His Word abide in you.

Then: ask.

Prayer becomes powerful when God's Word shapes what we ask for.

That is why a praying Christian should also be a Bible-reading Christian.

When fear comes, pray Psalms 23.

When you feel abandoned, remember Hebrews 13:5:

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

When you need wisdom, claim James 1:5.

When you are anxious, remember Philippians 4:6–7.

When you are tempted, remember 1 Corinthians 10:13.

When you need forgiveness, remember 1 John 1:9.

Put God's Word inside your prayers.

11. Sometimes PUSH Means Pray and Act

Prayer does not mean laziness.

Nehemiah prayed when Jerusalem was in trouble.

But after praying, he also acted.

“So we prayed to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.” — Nehemiah 4:9

Notice:

They prayed — and they set a watch.

If you are praying for employment, pray — and submit applications.

If you are praying for examination success, pray — and study.

If you are praying for your marriage, pray — and speak kindly to your spouse.

If you are praying for good health, pray — and practice the principles of healthy living.

If you are praying for souls, pray — and speak to somebody about Jesus.

Faith does not sit down doing nothing.

“Faith without works is dead.” — James 2:26

12. When God Says “Wait”

We live in a generation that hates waiting.

We want fast food.

Fast internet.

Instant messages.

Instant transfers.

Instant answers.

And sometimes we want an instant God.

But God does not operate according to our impatience.

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:31

Illustration: The Traffic Light

When a traffic light is red, it does not mean the road has been permanently closed.

It simply means:

“Not yet.”

If you move because you are tired of waiting, you may cause an accident.

Some of us have created unnecessary problems because God said, “Wait,” and we said, “I am tired of waiting.”

Abraham waited for a son.

When he tried to help God through Hagar, the result brought sorrow.

Church, when God says wait:

Wait.

Do not manufacture an answer to your own prayer.

13. When God Says “No”

Faith does not mean God must say yes to everything we ask.

Jesus prayed:

“Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” — Luke 22:42

Sometimes God's “No” is protection.

Sometimes God's “No” is direction.

Sometimes God's “No” is because He sees what we cannot see.

A five-year-old child may cry because his father will not give him a razor blade to play with.

To the child, Father is being unfair.

But the father sees danger that the child does not understand.

Church, our Father sees the end from the beginning.

If God says no, we can still trust Him.

True faith does not merely trust God's power. True faith trusts God's wisdom.

14. The Greatest “Something” That Prayer Produces

There is something greater than receiving money.

Something greater than getting a house.

Something greater than obtaining a promotion.

Something greater even than physical healing.

The greatest outcome of prayer is that we become more like Jesus.

Prayer changes circumstances, but prayer also changes people.

You may enter prayer angry and rise from prayer peaceful.

You may enter prayer frightened and rise with courage.

You may enter prayer confused and rise surrendered.

You may enter prayer wanting God to destroy your enemy and rise asking God to save him.

You may enter prayer asking, “Lord, change them,” and rise saying, “Lord, change me.”

That is something happening.

“But we all... beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18

15. Jesus Himself Practiced PUSH

If anybody could have lived without prayer, it was Jesus.

Yet Jesus prayed continually.

Before choosing the twelve apostles, Jesus prayed through the night.

“He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” — Luke 6:12

Before Calvary, Jesus prayed.

During His suffering, Jesus prayed.

On the cross, Jesus prayed.

If Jesus, the sinless Son of God, lived a life of prayer, how much more do we need prayer?

Jesus did not teach persistence merely with words.

He lived it.

16. Do Not Stop One Prayer Too Soon

Imagine Elijah had stopped after the sixth time.

He would never have seen the cloud on the seventh.

Imagine Bartimaeus had stopped crying when the crowd rebuked him.

He might have remained blind.

Imagine Hannah had concluded that years of disappointment meant God did not care.

She would not have experienced the answer God eventually gave.

Church, I cannot tell you that the next prayer will bring the answer you desire.

But I can tell you what Jesus said:

“Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” — Luke 18:1

So do not stop praying simply because you cannot see anything happening.

PUSH — Remember These Four Words

P — PRAY.

Take the matter to God.

U — UNTIL.

Do not abandon your confidence because of delay.

S — SOMETHING.

Trust God to work according to His perfect wisdom — whether He changes the situation or changes you.

H — HAPPENS.

Believe that no sincere prayer offered according to God's will is wasted.

Conclusion: Keep Knocking

Jesus said:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” — Matthew 7:7

Notice the movement.

Ask.

Seek.

Knock.

Do not stand far away from the door complaining that it has not opened.

Knock.

And if you have knocked, keep trusting the One on the other side.

Maybe somebody has been praying for a child who has wandered from God.

PUSH.

Maybe somebody is praying about sickness.

PUSH.

Maybe somebody is praying for peace in the family.

PUSH.

Maybe somebody is praying for employment.

PUSH.

Maybe somebody is praying for victory over a stubborn sin.

PUSH.

Maybe somebody has been praying so long that you are becoming tired.

Jesus has a word for you today:

“Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”

Final Appeal

But before we close, let us remember something even greater.

The greatest problem we have is not unemployment.

It is not sickness.

It is not financial difficulty.

Our greatest problem is sin.

And God has already provided the answer.

Jesus Christ.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16

At Calvary, Jesus carried our sins.

On Sunday morning, He rose victorious over the grave.

Today He ministers as our heavenly High Priest.

And one day very soon, the same Jesus will return.

“Surely I am coming quickly.” — Revelation 22:20

Until that day, church:

Keep praying.

Keep believing.

Keep obeying.

Keep watching.

Keep working.

Keep trusting Jesus.

And when you cannot trace God's hand, trust His heart.

When you cannot see the answer, trust His promise.

When heaven seems silent, remember that God is still on the throne.

When people tell you to stop, cry like Bartimaeus:

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

When you look and see nothing, remember Elijah:

“Go again.”

And when the burden seems too heavy, remember Paul:

“My grace is sufficient for you.”

Closing Call

If you believe that God still hears prayer, say Amen.

If you believe that Jesus still saves, say Amen.

If you believe that Jesus is still our High Priest, say Amen.

If you believe that God can still open doors, say Amen.

If you have decided that you will not give up on God, say Amen.

Then church, whatever you are facing:

P — PRAY.

U — UNTIL.

S — SOMETHING.

H — HAPPENS.

PUSH!

Not because we can force God.

Not because God owes us what we ask.

But because Jesus told us:

“Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” — Luke 18:1

Closing Prayer

Our Father in heaven, we thank You because You are still the prayer-hearing God.

Some of Your children are tired. Some have prayed for many years. Some are carrying burdens they cannot explain to anybody. Some are waiting for healing. Some are praying for children who have wandered away. Some are struggling financially. Some are facing problems in their homes. Some are fighting private battles that nobody else can see.

Father, teach us to pray and not lose heart.

When Your answer is yes, give us humility to praise You.

When Your answer is wait, give us patience to trust You.

When Your answer is no, give us faith to believe that Your wisdom is greater than ours.

When You remove the thorn, may we glorify You. And when You permit the thorn to remain, help us to hear Jesus saying, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Lord Jesus, keep our eyes fixed on You. Thank You for dying for our sins. Thank You for rising from the dead. Thank You for being our High Priest and Advocate. Prepare us for Your soon return.

Until that glorious day, make us a praying people, a Bible-believing people, an obedient people, a witnessing people, and a people who refuse to lose heart.

We ask all these things according to Your will and in the precious name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.