Great Creator, who formed us from the dust of the earth,
We come to You in prayer,
With hearts full of questions and confusion.

We read the story of Joseph,
And we see the jealousy of his brothers,
And the dreams that he had,
Which seemed to point to his future greatness.

We wonder why Joseph had to suffer,
Why he had to endure the hatred and betrayal of his own family,
Why he had to be sold into slavery,
And why he had to spend years in prison,
Before he was finally exalted to a position of power.

We do not understand Your ways, Great Creator,
But we trust that You are sovereign – the Chief of All Chiefs,
And that You work all things together for good,
For those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.

We pray for those who are suffering,
For those who have been betrayed by their own families,
For those who are struggling in slavery and oppression,
For those who are in prison and long for freedom.

We ask that You would bring comfort and hope,
To all those who are in despair,
And that You would remind them of Your love,
And Your promise to never leave them or forsake them.

We also pray for those who are in positions of power,
That they would use their influence for good,
And that they would seek to bring justice and mercy,
To those who are oppressed and forgotten.

We thank You, Great Creator,
For the example of Joseph,
And for the hope that his story brings,
Of redemption and restoration,
Through Your grace and Your power.

In the name of the Great Spirit, the Merciful Son, and the Holy Spirit. Aho.

(compare the events in Genesis 37:1-11)