Billy Graham: 2 Things Christians Can Do to Lead Atheist Friends to Jesus Christ
Praying for God to soften the hearts of atheist friends is the most important thing Christian can do for non-believers, says famed evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham, who also encourages believers to be a "witness to Jesus' peace and joy."
In a question-and-answer column published Monday on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website, Graham was asked what Christians can do to encourage their atheist friends to seek salvation in Jesus Christ.
"My best friend and I enjoy each other's company, but I'm a Christian and he says he's an atheist. I've tried to argue with him, but he just laughs and says I ought to grow up and forget about God. How can I win him over?" the person asked.
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Graham responded by saying, "you can't win him over by yourself" and that part of the effort must include God, since "He can conquer even the most stubborn heart.
"And that's why the most important thing you can do for your friend is to pray for him, asking God to convict him of his sin and his pride and convince him of his need for Christ," wrote Graham.
"Pray also that your life will be a witness to him — a witness to Christ's peace and joy. People may argue with what we say — but they can't argue with the reality of a life that's been transformed by Christ."
Graham went on to advise the person to "encourage him to face honestly the consequences of his atheism (which many atheists, I've discovered, never do)."
"If God doesn't exist (as he claims), then he has no hope of life after death. Nor does he have anyone to turn to when he needs guidance, or when life turns against him," continued Graham.
This is not the first time Graham has offered advice to a person who's asked how they can evangelize to America's growing non-theist population.
In July, Graham was asked how anyone could convert from atheism to Christianity, as it seemed so improbable. Graham replied that "through God's intervention" even the non-believing friends of the person "certainly could change" as it "happens all the time."
"I think, for example, of the countless people who grew up as convinced atheists in Communist Eastern Europe and the old Soviet Union, but are now sincere believers in God and are committed followers of Jesus Christ," reasoned Graham.
"God can do what we never can do, including changing someone's heart and mind. In addition, make sure of your own commitment to Jesus Christ, and then ask him to help you be an example of Christ's love and purity to your friends."
