Obama’s Western Wall Prayer Note
LONDON — 5 p.m local time
If I hadn’t been to the Western Wall myself on Wednesday, I wouldn’t have believed anyone would actually remove a prayer not from the wall and have its contents reproduced in a Jerusalem newspaper. (Just to clarify in response to some comments already. I went to the Wall alone just before noon local time on Wedensday. It was not part of the Obama trip to the Wall).
But such is the case with Barack Obama’s prayer note, left after he visited the wall in the pre-dawn hours Thursday. Were this information not already a part of the public record in the Hebrew daily Ma’ariv, I would not reproduce it here. But interest in every Obama movement is high and the prayer itself is in its own way profound, compelling and gentle.
Here it is:
Lord -
Protect my family and me. Forgive my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will.
The note was written on a “King David” piece of paper and published on Ma’ariv’s front page today.
It took Obama quite some time to wedge his prayer note in one of the few available cracks in the Western Wall. That someone who dare remove it would have seemed impossible to me had I not experienced first hand the disconcerting behavior of those in and around the Wall.
As I approached, I was immediately set upon by various petitioners who sought to “pray” for me and did so without my approval. I was then led into an adjacent library where scholars study the Torah. I was met by another man who placed a string around my wrist and said another unrequested prayer. Both men essentially cornered me in the library until I produced what little cash I had.
I then ventured to the Wall for I hoped would be a moment of solitude, contemplation and prayer. But as soon as I stopped before the Wall, I was immediately asked for money. Honestly, no sooner had I closed my eyes, leaned toward the Wall and set my forehead gently upon it, a man came up to me, shouted that I should tell him my name and proceeded, without my permission, to carry on with a “prayer,” not a word of which I could understand. Upon finishing, he demanded money and kept up his demands until I fairly had to shout that I was out of money, having already given it all to those who had just badgered me in the library adjacent to the Wall.
Based on this experience, I can say that I found this profound place of history, religion, prayer and magneticism to be less accommodating to solitude than a public restroom.
And it is therefore no surprise to me that someone would desecrate Obama’s prayer note — a private message from one human being to his God — and disrespect not only Obama, but Obama’s God, and the fragile, imperfect — and one would think private – human pursuit of faith.
Excuse me, but what is Obama doing? Is he our President now? Isn’t he negotiating with these other countries? He is a candidate for heavens sake. What is doing campaigning overseas? Where are the debates between OUR candidates? What is going on here? Isn’t this a violation of Logan Law? I don’t know. His disregard for the troops and what they have done, and this negotiating with foreign powers and not talking to the American people has really angered me. He is loosing my vote by the second. Ralph Nader is more responsive to the American people than he is.
I’m sorry this sounds crass, but the note may have been removed and reprinted as a publicity stunt by a campaign that feels the need to publish a forged birth certificate.
Great publicity stunt by Obama bin Laden
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Yeah, at least McCain has never campaigned on foreign soil! What an outrage!
Oh, wait, I just remembered that McCain visited both latin America and Canada since becoming the GOP nominee. Uh, nevermind.
Was in given purely will remain so….no matter how it is violated.
No matter your political persuasion, invasions of privacy like this are just blatantly wrong. Is their nothing sacred…including our prayers? I hope that people in this country will take a moment, and remember that this country was founded on religious freedom, and take to heart that when we invade each other private relationships with our creator we only tarnish ourselves.
Obama has said repeatedly he is not traveling abroad as a candidate, but as a citizen. And yes, that may seem a bit disingenuous, but look at the reaction he’s getting. The world is tired of the stuttering and swaggering brand of bellicosity it’s gotten from the United States. Together with the rest of the world, most Americans, even many Fox viewers, are ready for us to exert both our leadership and our communion with the rest of the world.
As for Obama’s prayer, it’s lovely, and while I wish it had remained private, I will pray it with him. And I think it’s telling that a group of U.S. clergy – including the man who officiated at Jenna Bush’s wedding – are praying for Obama, too.
Morie, you’re an idiot. Candidates have traveled overseas during elections since there have been airplanes. Candidates have met with foreign officials before and will do so during the next election. Take the information that the news agencies give you and process it, don’t just parrot it back.
Interestingly enough, I remember McCain stating that Obama should go to foreign countries before making plans on foreign policy. And now when he actually goes overseas, McCain responds by deriding Obama for leaving the US. I am sick of that doubletalk.
Nader’s still alive?
“He is loosing my vote by the second”
WHAT? First of all, learn to spell. Second of all, how does one lose your vote by the second, do you have more than one to give, is it a gradual process whereby every second Obama exists and is not doing something you think is appropriate, he is losing your precious vote? Not only are you ignorant, you are completely wrong about pretty much everything you said (the exception perhaps is the statement that you don’t know.) the Logan Act forbids unauthorized citizens from negotiating with foreign governments, I don’t think Obama is an unauthorized citizen, and he is hardly NEGOTIATING with foreign governments. This article was about his VISIT during his presidential campaign.
Moreover, your series of compound questions followed by a vague statement regarding Obama’s disregard for American troops and what they have done is confusing. I know its difficult, but if you think really hard perhaps you can remember that Obama voted AGAINST THE WAR… that means our troops DON’T FIGHT, and thus they also DON’T DIE. He’s not so much disregarding what they have done as he is stating that they shouldn’t have been over there in the first place.
But let me guess, you were for the war right? You are one of those moronic individuals that votes by the gut and people like you are the reason our current president is in office. I’m sorry to hear that you’re angered, maybe you should just take the day off, warm up a glass of milk and enjoy a nice mayonnaise sandwich you inbred douchebag.
Morie’s comment is completely out of touch with what Obama is doing in Europe and M/East.It shows lack of understanding of the context of the happenings.I believe there has been so much mis-information that SOME people simply now go along with ONLY THE VIEWS of their campaigns,which is a pity in this Great country of the most enlightened citizenry.I would only request that you go back and find out why Obama travelled to the M.East / Europe and see if the protocol and norms/ethics of such a Congressional visit and campaign tour were followed or not.I for one,believe the rules were followed….YOUR TAKE……
Obama not negotiating. He is campaigning to the world on behalf of the united states, and that’s a great thing.
Obama’s meetings with foreign leaders and his speech in Germany will generate support for our missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. We need that.
We need all the help we can get. Also, Obama respects and supports the troops a whole lot more than all war mongers out there.
i’ve been to the western wall as well and agree that the commerialism, people selling junk nearby, the petitioners, beggars, and people ‘helping’ you to pray can really frustrate any attempts to appreciate the power of that place, or to have a moment alone with your thoughts/prayers.
I would recommend to anyone visiting Israel to go to the wall on shabbat morning. my experience was that on shabbat it ceases to be a tourist attraction, and becomes a place of worship. u will see many locals praying there, dress conservatively, and you wont be harassed.
its also usually pretty calm there in the evening.
ben
Hi Major,
Interesting note, and it seems quite pure. though with yesterday’s speech in berlin about breaking down walls, the irony isnt lost on me, as i’m sure it’s not lost on obama.
but really, shame on you for criticizing the jewish paper when you are doing the very same thing in this piece. i hope this irony isnt lost on you either.
best,
ken
About the Wall story…What is given purely will remain so….no matter how it is violated.
You might get your information straight…..The Pentegon “advised” Mr. Obama not to visit the troops… that it would appear like he was campaigning…Mr. Obama took their advice out of respect to the troops and as a good senator would do. It was not his choice to not visit the troops in Germany.
Obama is getting some experience, he can now say that he knows a little bit about diplomacy. That is such a major part of his platform, to use diplomacy rather than war to settle disputes, that he really had no choice. He now knows some of the players personally and can defend against some attacks on his credibility that will certainly come. Given the importance of international affairs, and his total lack of diplomatic experience, I would be worried if he did not take some initiative in this area. And he has done very well, said the right things, based on his views. He is showing the American people what he will do if elected. Showing is better than talking. We will get plenty of debate time after the conventions. What could be more basic than showing us this? Now you have more to go on in making a choice, even if it shows you an Obama you do not like. At least he is an honest man, which is rare enough.
I don’t think traveling overseas is a bad thing for a candidate to do. One of McCain’s main criticisms of Obama is that McCain has visited Iraq more, so (whether or not you agree and whether or not it’s actually important) a large point in this campaign is going to be based on time spent overseas, in the belief that it relates to foreign policy experience. He’s not campaigning for their votes, he’s campaigning for ours because if European and Middle Eastern leaders are supportive of Obama, that’s a good mark in his column.
Also, he’s not negotiating with foreign powers, he has said he will talk with them if he is elected, negotiations imply terms and specifics, promising to work toward peace in Palestine/Israel is far from a negotiation.
And how has he not talked to the American people? Granted he’s been overseas for a week, but aside from that he’s been campaigning all over America and talking to American’s pretty frequently, at least by my standards. Not to mention everything he’s done over there except for private meetings with heads of state has been broadcast over here constantly, and while that’s not talking to the American people, it’s not as if we can’t hear what he’s saying.
I enjoy the fact that Obama is making it over seas. America has become like a horse with its blinders on, marching straight forward to the commanders whip not noticing what else is going on. As one of the millions of American citizens living overseas it’s good seeing someone try to make up for misguided steps.
Oh shut up already — Obama is not a Jew, so why would Jews care that he did some pandering crapola at their holy site? Clearly they don’t think his prayer would count to the God of the Chosen, so what’s the big deal in swiping it and sending it to the press? So many words for such a stupid subject just so you can show some moral outrage and thus demonstrate your “fairness” and “balance.” Your hokily solemn homage to faith makes me want to puke.
Your amazement at someone taking Obamas “qvitel” out of the wall is astonishing. You, as a media person, should realize that many media people are only slightly less sleazy than the politicians they cover.
Obama understands that part of serving the American people is how well we work with other countries to pursue common interests. For this and a hundred other reasons, he will receive my vote in the fall.
Respectfully, Mr. Garrett should understand that most of the people one encounters at the Western Wall who ask for money or who ask to be paid for a prayer said on one’s behalf are either very poor, not entirely mentally sound, or both. There is a tradition not to exclude these people from the Wall area, because they cannot help what they do or are legitimately desperate, even though it is unfortunate that Mr. Garrett could not get the quiet time he sought.
As for the removal of Mr. Obama’s note, I find it very likely that a parasitic journalist performed this misdeed, and I also find it odd that Mr. Garrett would choose to reproduce the contents of the prayer in his story and then voice objection to the fact that someone took the prayer note in the first place. It’s also possible that Mr. Obama *wanted* the note to be publicized and authorized its removal from the Wall by one of his entourage.
I am a Jewish and I think that it is so disrespectful to remove the prayer from a place that is so sacred to all Jewish people of Isreal. My family has many connection to Isreal.
Morie, to answer your questions. He was praying. No, but he soon will be. Not negotiating now but
will be come February of ‘09. Yes, he is campaigning overseas. Debates are scheduled for a future time.
I don’t know what’s going on here. No, Logan’s Law has not been violated. You don’t know. Sorry
you’re angry. To loosen your vote must take some prying. The cow jumped over the moon.
I don’t have a comment about the previous response, because I can see both points of view. However, what struck me immediately was the irony of the author’s predicament.
I suppose that the people who took his money may have never read the New Testament, so they wouldn’t be aware that Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the Temple. His singular act of violence was directed toward people who would use God’s house for their own monetary gain. To me, the irony in this situation is that two millenia later, people still do the same. Personally, I hope that those who “prayed” for the author of this article would eventually realize that they are loved by the same God whose people they accost for money.
Many of us have had a similar feeling when a stranger washes our windshield at an intersection without our permission and then expects payment for services rendered. I have to admit I’ve never paid one of those people for washing my windshield. In God’s economy, however, we are to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, so it seems the “pray-ers” the author encountered are in need both monetarily and spiritually.
I will need to rethink my indignant attitude toward those window-washers.
And one word, in the final paragraph exposes the bold faced lie of Fox’s “We inform, you decide” mantra. By choosing to write “Obama’s God” instead of just “God”, Garrett subtlely, yet effectively, reinforces the pervasive and totally unfounded idea that the Obama’s God is something different from the God of the predominantly Christian audience of Fox “News”.
New flash Fox! — Obama is a protestant Christian. Know it. Learn it. Internalize it. Stop being deceitful with purposefully imprecise use of language. This is only one small example of many. If any of you take a few moments to critically think about it, you will arrive at the same conclusion.
Take heart Mr. Garrett, Obama’s God was not offended, He knew Obama’s prayer before the it was even written down. The person that snatched the note to sell it did not somehow “steal” it before it could be acted upon by God. Perhaps it was even in accordance with God’s will…
And Obama is likely not offended either. The Christian man doesn’t take offense to others knowing the business of him and God, he excepts exposure, always willing to stand boldly for his beliefs, that trump the things the world thinks are important, including politics.
As those noted in this article, I am actually going to pray for those of you who, for some reason, seem to have SO much hatred in your heart that any and everything this man says and/or does is wrong or a stunt. I am a registered Republican and do not like many of Obama’s policy ideas but even I can let go some of my partisanship when it come to something that is considered honored and sacred. Great “unbiased” article by Major Garrett!!! Some of you really need to get a grip! I hear the mind is usually the first thing to go!
This is a beautiful prayer. It should have remained private but the Lord hears our thoughts.
I am shocked that there are so many hateful people who write to FOX
I’m betting that it’s all another campaign strategy by Sen. Obama to come off as sincere and humble. If someone truly did steal a prayer from a holy place without his permission, that person is a slimeball but to be honest, I view his visit to the holy wall as nothing but a publicity stunt anyway. Who brings cameras with them when they pray and puts up campaign banners all over the place unless you are just doing it for publicity. Just like him visiting the military facilities. It is to my understanding that he was told that he could visit the facilities within his capacity as a sitting US Senator, meaning no press crews or campaign advisors or anyone else there to market his visit for campaign purposes. But of course, if he stands to gain nothing, he doesn’t want to do it. I understand that it may be kosher for candidates to campaign in foreign countries but why? They are not citizens of this country therefore they should not be allowed to participate in the process whatsoever. They are even allowed to give money? So essentially we are letting our enemies/competitors in the world have a say in electing OUR president?!?! I personally would love to see more debates between the candidates here in the US. McCain extended a challenge for his to vistit AFGANISTAN and IRAQ where our men and women are DYING and being WOUNDED and he decides it’s more important to hold rallies in Germany and France and every other liberal haven in the world. He would have gotten alot more respect from me if he had gone to the hospitals anyway with no press, no campaign aides, just security staff. Show that you care about people from more than just a marketing stance.
Prayer is between you and GOD. If he truly cared about the sanctity of that relationship, he would have never have invited camera crews and hung campaign banners all over. I think it’s despicable for anyone to steal this prayer but one has to wonder whether it was a media stunt. Religion and faith is not about broadcasting to the whole world how you worship the Lord.
The removal of the note was probably done by Obama’s camp so they could show it to the media and world. Obama wants everyone to know he’s a supposely Christian.
Any news source that shows this letter is just as disgraceful as the pathetic sole who stole it from the wall. This note needs to be taken off your website now if you have any self respect. That goes for CNN and any other news source that is willing to publish something so personal. Shame on this world that nothing is sacred anymore and shame on you fox news once again!
Boy it sucks to be Republican right now. I like the strategy Obama has employed, it’s clearly making us very nervous and especially jealous (based on all the posts on the blog). McCain needs to stop talking about Obama so much and worry about looking aware, energetic and not getting to cozy with Bush. It’s difficult to say this but I’m beginning to think Obama has more to offer then McCain every will…
Major,
Reality sucks. Glad you experienced it, sorry it was the way it is.
Marc
“Clearly they don’t think his prayer would count to the God of the Chosen”
have you ever read the bible? “my house is a house of prayer for all the nations”.
I pity those very unchristian commenters here who would make assumptions about Obama’s motives without having any true facts. We pray for you.
Who cares … Separation of Church and State is supposed to be a cornerstone of our nation.
I’d like to see a candidate who can keep his religion private … I don’t care.
To Adam
Fox is by far more ‘Fair and Balanced’ than CNN, ABC, NBC, and CBS. They are so obviously BIASED that it is sickening and many Americans are starting to figure that out, when they do, those medias stocks will drop below the S&P.
Mary and Susie, it is nice to see real, non-sophisticated, intelligence for a change. (This is a compliment.)
Wendy, those ‘Accosters” (beggers) have never lived in America. Stay indignant, there are plenty of places that needy Americans can go to to get food and clothing in America. They cannot buy beer and wine so easily at the meal kitchens. You provide for that when you pay.
Globalist should investigate to see just what Obama has voted for that helped the American people. He has pushed the ‘Pass’ button so many times. He has difficulty finding the ‘For and Against” buttons in the Senate.
Stand Up for Something, or Fall for Anything. Right now, ‘Anything’ is enormous.
Have we all forgotten that it was McCain who kept insisting that Obama needed to go to Iraq in the first place? Now that he’s over there and it’s blowing up in McCain’s face, he’s whining about all of the attention Obama is receiving. All I’ve heard about this week from the McCain camp is him attacking Obama for this or that. Every one of his responses to media questions about Obama’s trip has been negative. While I do not support him, I’ve considered him a fair-minded man. He’s been disgraceful this week.
Funny, he’s not mentioning the fact that he was recently there himself, not to mention Canada and Columbia. It’s hypocritical of him to attack Obama for being overseas, and it’s obvious that McCain is appearing desperate.
As for the Western Wall incident, Obama’s prayer note was beautiful and it’s absolutely shameful that it was removed and published.
The hypocrisy is amazing. When the media found that George Bush sought to be lead by God through prayer as President many were outraged and beside themselves. When obama does it, its “cute”
……Though all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and can only come to God through Jesus, empty handed, this “meeting” does not leave a man unchanged. 20 minutes listening to Jerimiah Wright Obama’s hateful pastor would have said that perhaps Barry has met “another Jesus” rather then the one Paul speaks of in his letters…… I pray for him…
I will pray that this prayer is heard. I think that anyone who would steal a prayer is sick and I hope that this does not cause anyone to judge someone based on their prayers. I wish the Obama family many blessings and I am beg. to admire this man for not lashing out against those that exploit his relationship with god and his family.
Crossing the moral boundary? A note that we all wanted to read, a note that someone grabbed… And we have the unreleased video…
Seconds after Obama left the stones, I recorded a young man gathering notes in his hands in what appeared to be the search for Obama’s freshly placed personal note. He is quickly joined by others who unwrap several notes and read them. I know this video is potentially a great asset to you in the continuing coverage of this story.
An extended, unedited clip (in youtube low-res) available at:
WOW!!
Finally an American President can go overseas and not be ridiculed by thousands of protesters!!
Instead he is met with thousands of supporters.
Finally the U.S. is looked upon as the great country it is!!
(notice how I said President)
We are coming upon a great time in our country, a leader which actually leads for a greater future!
Some of the folks on this blog site have it figured out. If you think the Illinois senator’s prayer was removed and “leaked” as a chance thing, you are crazy. This was no more than a campaign stunt. Obama has been fighting his Muslim name and accusations of him being Muslim and not Christian since his campaign began. Whoever came up with this in Obama’s camp was pretty shrewd. It has worked toward that goal of showing Obama is not a Muslim, but is a sincere, humble Christian to a lot of people. Many people will buy right into this stunt. In reality, Obama probably didn’t even write the prayer. It was most likely written by some eloquent professional speech writer. Don’t be so naive, people. Don’t even think that someone who would spend tens of millions of dollars for a job that pays less than half a million a year would do practically anything he could get away with to win the office of presidency.
Wow….I am disappointed that the Western Wall is being represented as a place where money is made. In the writer’s discussion….he personally had a terrible experience. Obama’s prayer was private and should have been kept private. However….his comments were much like that of many good Christian men. Good men desire that their families are safe and that they are forgiven (because non of us are perfect), that behaviors that would not be pleasing to God and not fruitful…would not manifest in the face of situations that seem to fertilize the growth of displeasing behavior. And….on, and on, and on.
This may be a little off topic. but i used to watch Fox news more than any other new outlet, and i used to defend it’s fairness. but since the primaries and listening to Hannity rant about how much he hates Obama I was still skeptic about others dislikes of Fox News. then i went to the RCP polls and i see that all major polls have Obama ahead by at least five % points and Fox News polls have him by 1%. I am not an Obama supporter or a McCain supporter…but it makes you wonder if Fox is fair and balanced.
“it is therefore no surprise to me that someone would desecrate Obama’s prayer note — a private message from one human being to his God — and disrespect not only Obama, but Obama’s God, and the fragile, imperfect — and one would think private – human pursuit of faith.”
Haven’t you desecrated and disrescted the prayer note by printing it again yourself Major Garret?
Leave it to Fox News tp publish the note. They’re one of the few “news” organization you can count on to show a contemptible disrespect of a religious tradition.
LLS3L,
I find your response mean spitited and repugnant. The use of foul language accentuates this point. A little self examination is in order.
LT
Comment by JonesH
July 25th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I pity those very unchristian commenters here who would make assumptions about Obama’s motives without having any true facts. We pray for you.
=============================================================
You are a pagan pretending to be a christian.
publicity stunt says it all
To LLS3L:
Stated like a true Socialist , You have just proved to everyone reading your input that the left needs to stay as far away from our Presidency as possible. Now for the remarks.
I agree that Mr. Obama has every right to go where he wants in this world. I have followed his journey to the holy land and he has spoken very well. I don’t believe he is speaking for America and as far as I am concerned it really dosen’t bother me when another country full of uneducated lazy left wingers falls in love with and wants Mr. Obama as our President. I hope that I am not the only one that feels that way. If you look at Europe you will see a minority of right wingers gaining control over the majority of non working lazy people standing around with there hands out wanting more money from the hard working people who actually want to work and keep the most of there money for themselves to prosper and to build businesses to hire people who want to work and live the American dream.
Invading Mr. Obamas privacy was wrong but they should have known it would happen anywhere not just over there.
Mr. Obama will not get my vote but he does have my respect.