Gracious Father, who knows the struggles of your people, let us not expect that we will go through this world without suffering and struggle, even when we follow your ways, but help us to cling to you and find comfort in your goodness and presence even in our pains, through Jesus Christ, our brother who shared in our weaknesses and suffering and intercedes for us to you through the Holy Spirit. Amen. ‘Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse.’ – Mark 5:25-26