Why Joseph Stayed Two Extra Years in Prison and the Ladder of Prayer

"And it came to pass at the end of two full years" (Genesis 41:1). This is what is written, "and round about Him it storms mightily" (Psalms 50:3). And why was Joseph delayed in the prison-house for two years? Because Joseph said, "but remember me when it is well with you" (Genesis 40:14), and so he set aside the Holy One, blessed be He. There is a prayer that is answered after a hundred years. From where? From Abraham, as it is said, "and Abraham was a hundred years old" (Genesis 21:5). And there is a prayer that is answered after ninety years. From where? From Sarah, as it is said, "and shall Sarah, who is ninety years old" (Genesis 17:17). And there is a prayer that is answered after eighty years, as it is said, "and Moses was eighty years old" (Exodus 7:7). And there is a prayer that is answered after seventy years, as it is said, "for when seventy years are accomplished for Babylon" (Jeremiah 29:10). And there is a prayer that is answered after sixty years, as it is said, "and Isaac was sixty years old" (Genesis 25:26). And there is a prayer that is answered after fifty years—from Samuel, peace be upon him, for Hannah said, "and may he dwell there forever" (1 Samuel 1:22), and the "forever" of the Levites is only until fifty years, as it is said, "and from the age of fifty years" (Numbers 8:25). And there is a prayer answered after forty years, as it is said, "and Isaac was forty years old" (Genesis 25:20). And there is a prayer answered after thirty years, as it is said, "and Joseph was thirty years old" (Genesis 41:46). And there is a prayer answered after twenty years, as it is said, "these twenty years have I been" (Genesis 31:38). And there is a prayer answered after ten years—from Hagar, as it is said, "after Abram had dwelt ten years" (Genesis 16:3). And there is a prayer answered after a year—from the Shunammite, as it is said, "at this season, when the time comes round, you shall embrace a son" (2 Kings 4:16). And there is a prayer that is answered after forty days, as it is said, "and I fell down before the Lord as at the first, forty days" (Deuteronomy 9:18). And there is a prayer that is answered after ten days—from Nabal, as it is said, "and it came to pass about ten days after, that the Lord smote Nabal" (1 Samuel 25:38). And there is a prayer that is until seven days, as it is said, "and Miriam was shut up outside the camp seven days" (Numbers 12:15). And there is a prayer that is until three days, as it is said, "and Jonah prayed" (Jonah 2:2). And there is a prayer that is until an hour, as it is said, "Answer me, O Lord, answer me" (1 Kings 18:37). And there is a prayer that does not leave the mouth of the one who says it before it is answered, as it is said, "And the Lord said unto Moses, Why do you cry unto Me?" (Exodus 14:15). But the prayer of Joseph was for two years, as it is said, "And it came to pass at the end of two full years." "And Pharaoh dreamed; and, behold, he stood by the river" (Genesis 41:1). Woe to the wicked, whose power endures!