Yesterday Sara, Jamie and I went to the Western Wall for a little bit. It was a Friday afternoon, and since we have to be home before sunset, we couldn't be there to see the joyous celebration that takes place each Friday evening to welcome in the sabbath. It was actually very empty since most people would be coming at sunset. These are some pictures I took yesterday. The Western Wall is probably one of my favorite places. I love seeing how devoted the people are to go there and pray. It makes me realize how important the temple is. We were there one night at 11 p.m. after a tour underneath it, and there were still scores of people praying, even that late at night.
Every crack in the wall is full of little papers with prayers written on them. They represent just a small fraction of the prayers being offered all the time. There are so many thousands of prayers, so many problems, and so much pain in the world. I sat and watched people praying yesterday, and thought about how thankful I am for prayer. I know that God hears and answers all the prayers in walls and in hearts. Even though the answers may not be obvious, immediate, or the answers we want; I know God is aware of what we need and wants to bless us.
There is so much to learn from the people I see here.
You mentioned that you love to go to the Western Wall to see the devoted people. That's one reason I'd like you to go to the Dome of the Rock. You'll see the same thing there. We saw mothers sitting around on the carpet studying together. We saw mothers (with their babies) in the cave underneath the rock, worshipping. How can two peoples, so devout, both worshipping the "one true God" be so very, very different?
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