Chazal say (Yerushalmi Brachos 4:4): “If only a person would daven all day! Why? Because a prayer can never hurt.”
Every prayer leaves an impression even if we can’t always see the effects immediately. Sometimes the results are only seen years later, and sometimes not until several generations pass.
It is related that there was a childless woman who tearfully prayed by the gravesite of Rochel Imeinu. She asked Rochel to intercede on her behalf so that she should be granted children and cried, “Mama Rochel! You know the pain of not having children. Please ask for mercy for me so that I may have a son this year!”
Rav Chaim Shmulevitz zt”l was there at the time and heard her heartfelt cries. He emotionally declared, “There is no doubt in my mind that she will have a son this year. I ask that I should be given the honor of sandak at the bris.” And so it was.
