The Power of Persistence

<p>In 1917, a young seamstress was thrilled to get admitted to one of New York City&rsquo;s most renowned fashion design schools. But when Ann Cone (later Ann Lowe) arrived from Florida to register for classes, the school director told her she wasn&rsquo;t welcome. &ldquo;To be blunt, Mrs. Cone, we didn&rsquo;t know that you were a Negro,&rdquo; he said. Refusing to leave, she whispered a prayer: <em>Please let me stay here. Please let me stay here.</em> Seeing her persistence, the director let Ann stay, but segregated her from the whites-only classroom whose back door would be open &ldquo;for you to hear.&rdquo;</p> <p>Undeniably talented, Ann still graduated six months early and later attracted high-society clients including former first lady of the US Jacqueline Kennedy, whose world-famous wedding gown she designed. She made the gown twice, seeking God&rsquo;s help after a pipe burst above her sewing studio, ruining the first dress.</p> <p>Persistence like that is powerful, especially in prayer. In Jesus&rsquo; parable of the persistent widow, a widow pleads repeatedly for justice from a corrupt judge. At first, he refused her but &ldquo;because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see she gets justice&rdquo; (Luke 18:5).</p> <p>With far more love and generosity, &ldquo;will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?&rdquo; He <em>will,</em> said Jesus (v. 7). As He inspires us, let&rsquo;s seek to persistently pray and never give up. In His time and perfect way, God will answer.</p>