Who told the Jews to face the wall when praying?

I believe that prayer is not limited to a single bodily position, nor to the closure or openness of one’s eyes. But who told the Jews to face the wall when praying? What’s the need to face the wall of the broken temple?

I found an example in the Scripture concerning facing the wall.

2Ki 20:1-3 “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.  Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,
 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.” 

We can see that during the Old Testament times, the Israelite have this attitude when praying. They look toward the temple or toward the wall or toward Jerusalem.

Dan 6:10  “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” 

(Isa 38:2) “Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,”

(Psa 5:7) “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.”

(Psa 138:2)” I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”

(Eze 8:16) “And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD’S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.”

(Jon 2:4) “Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.”

Are they worshiping or praying? But Christ during His ministry said these words;

John 4:21-24 “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. ”

What about when the gospel was brought to the Gentiles? Will they allow the Gentiles to pray with them?

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