Holy Land Revelations Part 1: Great Wall of Prayer

Hi, Friend!

Please forgive me for not telling you about my Holy Land Experience with Lysa TerKeurst and Proverbs 31 Ministries this month. Surprise!

It was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life! For the next few weeks, I’ll show you a few Holy Land candid photos I shot and some of the many, meaningful biblical lessons that soaked deep in my soul.

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It strikes me as I approach the Western Wall–the Wailing Wall–in Jerusalem. There is a hush over this place, except for the sound of some women softly sobbing. Two things connect us all here, no matter our background, our faith, our socioeconomic level, our native language…

Prayer and tears.

I wait my turn to find a narrow place to pray directly at the Wall. One lady covers her face with a veil and backs away from the Wall. I take her place and fall to my knees.

This limestone Wall has become smooth over 2000+ years from the countless hands and foreheads pressing against it, fervently crying out to God.

Many of us from our trip had written prayers on little pieces of paper to leave there. I couldn’t believe it. All the rolled-up and folded papers, all the prayers, stuffed in every crevice of the Wall and on the ground below. .

I whisper my deepest praises, prayers and dreams, as I weep beside a lady wearing a hijab. Our whispered prayers create a soul symphony.

After several minutes of prayer, I prepare to leave. The time is too short but my spot is needed by the next vulnerable soul behind me.

We had been told not to turn our backs to the wall as we left. Several of us slowly back away in silence, savoring this moment of unity and peace.

Our guide told us that each day those prayers on paper are collected and buried on the Mount of Olives. If that is so, how beautiful, how powerful, how perfect that is. The same place where Jesus will return one day (Zechariah 14:4) is the same place all those written prayers are buried.

Friend, whether at this Western Wall, in the car, outside, or in your home, every prayer you cry out to God is heard. God hears you. God sees you. God answers you in His time, in His way.

Reflect:

When is the last time you cried out to God?

Renew:

“As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard.” –1 Samuel 1:12.

“Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.” –Psalm 130:1-2.

“And…the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” –Revelation 5:8.

#P31HolyLandTour

The Journey

As you read this, I will be taking a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage to the Holy Land. To walk and breathe where Jesus walked and breathed is a humbling, lifelong dream. The dust and sand of Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, Garden of Gethsamene, Mt. Arbel, Pool of Bethesda, and many other sites will be on my shoes.

Lysa TerKeurst and 126 of us from 34 states, Taiwan and Canada, are taking this transformational leap of faith. We will falling more in love with Jesus, His Word, and His people. I can’t wait to relay to you what the Lord reveals and share some of this experience.  Thank you for your prayers, love, and encouragement.

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things..He has remembered His love and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music…”–Psalm 98:1,3-4.