A Collect to Endure Trial and Receive Blessing

Almighty God, who bears authority to wield the sword as well as to lay it down, let us not expect that we will escape struggle and trial, even from your hand, but redeem the difficulties we face, and bring relief and blessing in the time of our need, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in glory and majesty forever. Amen. ‘I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent against you.’ – Joel 2:25