I was in Israel last year and had the chance to go to the Western Wall in Old Jerusalem to pray. Many Jewish and non-Jewish people are in constant prayer there. To the Religious Jews, the Western Wall has great significance because it is the last remnants of the Temple Mount on top of which stood the temple that was destroyed in A.D. 70. Crammed in between the giant stones that make up the wall are wedged hundreds of pieces of paper with prayers and petitions on them.

You may have seen pictures of our Holy Father during his historic visit to the Western Wall during Jubilee 2000 and placing his own prayer petition between the stones.

Christians and Jews share much in common with our faiths in the One True God. Together we unite our voices and pray for the peace of Jerusalem that is critical at this time.

Psalm 46

God is for us a refuge and strength, a helper close at hand, in time of distress: so we shall not fear though the earth should rock, though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea, even though its waters rage and foam, even though the mountains be shaken by its waves.

The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob our stronghold.

The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within, it cannot be shaken; God will help it at the dawning of the day. Nations are in tumult, kingdoms are shaken: He lifts His voice, the earth shrinks away.

The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob our stronghold.

Come, consider the works of the Lord, the redoubtable deeds He has done on the earth. He puts an end to wars over all the earth; the bow He breaks, the spear He snaps. He burns the shields with fire.

“Be still and know that I am God, supreme among the nations, supreme on the earth!”

The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob our stronghold.