Tuesday, January 26th, 2021

We are called to pray big prayers for our world, our representatives, and communities, but even when we do, what happens in our world doesn’t always line up with our prayers. It’s safe to say that one half of the country was very frustrated for the last four years while the other half is going to be for the next four. It is frustrating and confusing when we feel our prayers seemingly going unanswered. But we can trust that prayer will always result in blessings from the Lord, they just won’t always be what we expect. In Genesis, after Joseph has risen to power in Egypt unbeknownst to his father, Israel, and brothers, a devastating famine swept across the land. One could expect that Israel was praying for God to protect his family and allow them to endure the famine, just as many people have prayed during the economic hardships from COVID. One could also expect that he was frustrated over how the leaders of his day were handling the crisis, and prayed for capable and fair leadership. But God had something bigger, more impactful, and much more personal planned than just allowing Israel to get through the famine. Israel learned not only that his son, Joseph, whom he believed was dead, was not only alive, but that he also had grandchildren he never knew. In his old age, he was able to meet them, hold them, and bless them. He said, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.” When we get too worked up about what we perceive as unanswered prayers for our world, we fail to see the blessings God gives us each day personally. We fail to see what is really important in life. Today, give thanks for what is truly important in your life and while still praying the big prayers, recognize the personal blessings from the Lord.

“Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.” — Genesis 48:10-11 NIV