A Prayer about Dysfunctional Families

So now, come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal ate him. Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams! Genesis 37:19

Author God,

Thank you for your Word 

which gives us hope 

that you can redeem 

even the worst of our sins 

against our families. 

Time after time, 

you supply true stories 

of fallen people, 

people you transformed, 

people through whom 

you accomplished your purposes.

In Genesis 37 we see Jacob, 

one of the fathers of many nations, 

showing favoritism to his son Joseph,

giving him a coveted coat of “many colors”.

Joseph doesn’t help matters 

by sharing a dream with his brothers 

about how he will one day rule over them.

His brothers seethe with resentment, 

so much so that they decide to kill Joseph

and tell their father he was eaten by an animal. 

Oh, Lord, have mercy on us. 

Show us that but for your transforming grace 

in Jesus Christ, 

this would be our end. 

We are like Jacob and Joseph and the brothers,

and yet, you have bought us with Christ’s blood, 

rescued us from certain death 

by your mercy. 

Thank you, Lord, 

for your goodness and grace.

In Jesus’ redeeming name. Amen. 

Read Genesis 37.