It's impossible to know whether Barack Obama had public consumption in mind when he jotted down his note to be deposited in the Western Wall. The notes are supposed to be between supplicant and God. But nothing is sacred in a political campaign, or in the eyes of some journalists and editors. So he had to know there was at least a chance of someone peeking.
Turns out, that's what happened, after someone described as a seminary student violated a longstanding taboo and took the note out of the wall, later handing it over to the Israeli papers (a fine, fine seminary it must be.)
"Lord — Protect my family and me," reads the note as published in Maariv and reported by the AP. "Forgive me 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."
Givg Obama the benefit of the doubt that he was writing a prayer other than a press release, and that he believes in the power of prayer, what's impressive about that note is what it doesn't
"Please let me win the election and become president."
Too many of us, myself no exception, ask for selfish things when we pray, or seek them from God at spontaneous points in our day. "Please let me find a parking spot ... please let that store be open late tonight ... please let me make it home in time for the game ..."
Even if Obama suspected his note might be read, there are ways he could have couched his request for personal advancement in noble terms. But his humble note asks only for God's protection of him and his family, asks forgiveness and asks only to be an instrument of God's will, whatever that is."
Again giving him the benefit of a doubt that the note wasn't written by a spin doctor or image guru, it speaks well of him. You can learn a lot about a man or woman by what they ask of God.
Of course, that doesn't mean anyone else had the right to touch that note.
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