So what can happen when you ask an atheist if you can pray for him/her? Here’s what happened when one of our fellowship asked the question….
Names have been changed for privacy
We have a neighbor named Roger who moved into a lease unit in our cul-de-sac shortly after we moved here two years ago.
When we first went to introduce ourselves, he was gracious, but told us he was not a sociable person. He lived pretty much like a hermit. He wouldn’t answer if neighbors went to his door. His daughters–Sandy and Jane–said he had always been like that. They also told us he was terminal with lung cancer. Jane is a believer and recovering alcoholic, but she said her dad was not receptive to the Gospel.
My husband and I prayed for Roger, and wondered how on earth we could ever be able to reach him with the Gospel since we had little contact with him. I did leave a Gospel tract and one of my books in his Christmas basket at his door last year, but no response.
Yesterday, I was sitting in the living room proofreading a manuscript when the gate bell rang. It was Roger’s daughter, Sandy. She asked if I had a wheel chair, as she needed to get her Dad to the hospital. I told her I didn’t, but I would come and help her get him to the car.
When I went into the house, I realized that Roger was not doing well at all. He had labored breathing, his ankles were very swollen, and since I hadn’t seen him in a long time I was shocked to see him only about 90 pounds. I told Sandy to call her sister, Jane, and tell her to come and then call for an ambulance.
While Sandy did that, I was left alone sitting on the edge of the bed with Roger. The Holy Spirit said, “Now is the time.” Using a line from your sermon Sunday, I said, “Roger, may I pray with you?” Roger answered, “Yes, but I’ve been an atheist all my life.” “God doesn’t care about that,” I answered. “You are nearing the end of your life now, and what God cares about is how you believe and respond to His son, Jesus Christ.”
“I believe Jesus lived,” he said.
“Then if you believe He lived, that requires a response to what he taught and what he did for you.”
I explained the Gospel briefly, asked if we could pray for forgiveness of his sin and for Jesus to come into his heart, and he said “Yes.” We prayed together and then I spent the remaining time describing Heaven and all he would see that he had missed by being an atheist.
Thanks for your message Sunday! There, on the edge of that bed, the simple question, “Can I pray for you” resulted in a life-long atheist receiving Jesus Christ as Savior.
