The Western Wall

The Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem is famous because it is the only remnant of the original retaining wall of the Second temple that was destroyed in AD 70. After the destruction, the Jews were exiled from the holy city, but they made pilgrimages back to the wall to lament their loss. Thus, the western wall became known as “the wailing wall.” Today people from all over the world come to the wall and slip papers with their prayers into the cracks between the stones. Tradition has it that the prayers slipped into the wall’s cracks are more likely to be answered. Of course, God wants us to come to Him to lament or wail about the difficult things we face.

Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Thus, it’s appropriate to go back to this touchstone where God’s people have historically gone. Whether or not one is able to physically go to the “wall,” we are able wherever we are and whenever we can to bring our prayers, cries, and laments to God. We even have our own modest, small wailing wall where people can slip in their prayers outside at The Abbey. It reminds us that we have a personal God who cares about us and our struggles, even when we cry out in wails. And He is always with us, especially when we feel brokenhearted and crushed. He feels sad, too.