A journalist assigned to the Jerusalem bureau had an apartment overlooking the Western Wall. Every day when she looked out, she saw an old bearded Jewish man praying vigorously. Certain he would be a good interview subject, the journalist went to the Wall, and introduced herself to the old man. She asked, "I see you everyday at the wall. Sir, how long have you done that and what are you praying for?"
The old man replied, "I have come here to pray every day for 25 years. In the morning I pray for world peace and for the brotherhood of man. I go home have a cup of tea, and I come back and pray for the eradication of illness and disease from the earth. And very, very important, I pray for peace and understanding between the Israelis and Palestinians."
The journalist was quite impressed. "How does it make you feel to come here every day for 25 years and pray for these wonderful things?" she asked.
The old man replied, calmly, "Like I'm talking to a wall."