Daily Devotional

I pinch myself. Is it real? Yes, I am in Jerusalem. Past-present-future history in front of me! I stand enthralled as my eyes study the Western Wall.  It is just like the pictures…at the foot of this ancient massive wall are crowds of people praying with a barrier that divides the men from the women.  High up on the Wall are a few bunches of plants that look more like tumbleweeds.  The birds are at home here.

I lead the women in our tour group, towards the women’s section to pray. Each woman journeys to their place of solitude. Weaving through the crowd is a bit of a challenge.  Some Jewish women are sitting in chairs with their prayer books in their laps, blocking my path.  I MUST touch the Wall!  Determined, I keep weaving in and around the people.  Finally, I find a hole between people and step into the space against the Wall!

I touch the aged stone—smoothed over by a myriad of hands over the ages.  It is cold. In front of my nose, paper scraps of prayers are imbedded into the cracks of stone. So many burdens left in the cracks of this magnificent Wall! My scrap of paper joins them.  

My heart is a tumbler of thoughts.  How do I pray!  What do I say?  I take a deep breath, listen and embrace the moment.  The birds flutter back and forth in their nests above.  Near me, a woman softly weeps.  Prayer books whisper as each page is turned.  I hear the mumbling and buzzing of voices in prayer.  What a beautiful sound!  My emotions are full.  I will never forget these moments!  My thoughts take a turn.  Do these Jewish women praying here know that Jesus is the Messiah! Do the pilgrims here from around the world know Jesus? I sincerely pray for them. It is time to join the tour group.  Backing up slowly, I see an eager pilgrim take my place.  What a privilege this has been!  

This experience drew me to read:
John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

PARENTS:

• Kids are great missionaries!  Equip your kids with a few verses to memorize that will help them share the Gospel.  John 3:16, John 14:6, as well as the verses above.
• Help your kids make a list of people they know who need Jesus. Pray with your kids regularly for them.
• Help your kids understand that the way they live their lives, can draw others to Christ.

Post the fruit of the Spirit for them somewhere to remind them.  Galatians 5:22 love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.