Where does it all go?

I've been thinking a lot about prayer lately. I have been praying a lot for things in our community and my family and I've been trying to focus a lot on the way that I pray. I find that when someone tells me that they want something (health for a family member, a new job, etc) my instinct is to respond "I hope you get that/that happens for you", but lately, I've been rethinking my response.

I have heard multiple shiurim and speeches about the power of prayer, and the question that is most commonly repeated is "if what I prayed for didn't happen, was my prayer wasted? Where did my prayer go if it didn't go to what/who I intended it for". The answer I have heard is that of course, our prayers are never wasted, but since we don't know G-d's true plan, we don't know how our prayers have been channeled. Perhaps by reshaping our way of thinking about prayer, we can feel that our prayers have been applied in the most meaningful way possible, and we can learn to adjust how we pray.

So the way that I've rethought my response to people keeps this thought in mind- If someone tells me they are interviewing for a job, or something else that they really want, my new response is "I hope that everything works out in the best way possible". Adjusting our expectations to the likeliest reality seems the best way to avoid disappointment.

Tapped Out

Is it just me, or has there been way too much tragedy lately? Starting in the summer, even earlier for me (family stuff), it seems like there has been way more tragedy, death and other generally bad stuff happening around here. Too many deaths- young people, babies, people we are losing way too early. It's hard to accept these tragedies and losses, but we here are left just to wonder, process and accept.

I need some good news. Really badly.