Like me, I am sure many of you have said prayers for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. We cannot know the full impact of our prayers. We only know that prayer is a real force in petitioning God for blessings. James 5:16 teaches that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man [and woman] availeth much.”

I think the prayers of the righteous are availing much for people in Haiti. Here is a story that supports that assertion. 

How long can you survive without water? Scientific estimates on how long we can survive without water vary, depending on conditions such as temperature and exposure to sun. Most estimates seem to be around a week, give or take a few days. A website on survival puts the estimate at about 8 days when the average temperature is about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/how-long-can-you-survive-without-water/

Yesterday in Haiti, rescuers pulled a 5-year-old boy named Monley from his collapsed home. The boy endured 8 days without food and water in a small, dusty space buried beneath the rubble. After the rescuers pulled him out, he spread his arms and put on a big grin that touched the hearts of hardened US rescuers and energized everyone present with feelings of thanksgiving and hope.

Perhaps your prayers on behalf of Haiti played a role in preserving the life of this precious child. His survival is a miracle. May God continue to bless him with the peace and courage he will need to live on without his parents who died when their home collapsed.