Rav Chaim Kanievsky's Advice: Daven for Each Other
A fundraiser needs a shidduch for his son, and Rav Chaim Kanievsky sends him to daven for a donor's daughter. Both children are soon engaged, just as Rav Chaim promised.
One time, a fundraiser mentioned to Rav Chaim that a wealthy American donor asked for a bracha for his older single daughter so that she may find her bashert. Rav Chaim gave the daughter a hearty blessing. Then the fundraiser mentioned to Rav Chaim that he has an older son that also needs a shidduch. Rav Chaim said, “The solution to your problem is found in the Gemara!”
The Gemara in Bava Kama says that when someone prays for someone else and he needs the same result, he will be answered as well. Rav Chaim said, “You should daven for the donor, and ask him to daven for you!” (Rav Chaim reasoned that this ploy works even if one is just davening for his friend so that he should be answered. The proof is from a Mogen Avraham (OC 230:6) that deals with saying the equivalent of “gezunteit.”)
Within a year, the fundraiser shared the good news with Rav Chaim that the donor’s daughter was getting married soon. However, the fundraiser mentioned that his son, unfortunately, still had not found a shidduch. Rav Chaim replied, “Don’t worry, your son will surely find a shidduch before the wedding!” The wedding was set to take place on Thursday of the following week. That Thursday afternoon, the fundraiser held a vort for his son.