The Western Wall (Wailing Wall)

One of King Solomon’s first major accomplishments was the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, as a place for worship of the God of Israel (around 960 BC). The wall we see today is built upon his foundations, which date from the time of the First Temple. After the Temple was completed, Solomon planned an elaborate program of dedication. He invited the leaders of all twelve tribes to attend as he presided over the ceremony. The Ark of The Covenant was brought into the most sacred place in the Temple (The Holy of Holies) and God’s presence would manifest in that place... "And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord." (1 kings 8:10-11)

In Judaism, the Western Wall is respected as the sole remnant of the Holy Temple. It has become a place of pilgrimage for Jews, as it is the closest permitted accessible site to the holiest spot in Judaism.

This whole experience for me was just beyond description. As soon as I walked up to the wall I was speechless. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I was looking at the exact place where the First temple used to be. I couldn't believe that the ground I was standing on was the ground the First temple had been built on. The fact that I've spent the past 3 years really getting into the historical background of the scripture added so much to this experience and made it all the more richer. And even more amazing than the history of the temple itself, is the fact that this temple was where God would manifest Himself to His people. This is where the Lord would dwell. The Holy of Holies was where His presence rested.

I am someone who SO longs to live in God's presence. I long to spend my life in the Holy of Holies... To be in a place where God used to show Himself to His people, was absolutely incredible to me.

I wrote out 2 prayers and put them in the wall. As I was placing them in the cracks and lifting them upto the Lord, I was just overwhelmed with his presence and tears starting streaming down my face. It was such precious moment for me… A priceless memory I will never ever forget.