“Have you told Jesus that?” I asked. Judging from the stymied look on her face, the idea of praying was the farthest thing from her mind. “Why don’t you take time right now to tell Jesus? Whatever is on your heart, you can tell Him.” The elderly lady gave a smile when I reached for her hand and then bowed her head with mine saying, “Lord, I…uh…they tell me I should give my life to you…and although I can’t, that is, I guess I won’t, I really do…I really want to believe. Please…help me.”

“You’re well on your way to believing in Christ,” I said after she finished praying. How could I be so sure? Because she had opened up her heart to encounter the Lord Jesus. When someone engages God in prayer, they can never be quite the same. That lady’s prayer, though feeble and faltering, meant the Savior, in turn, had a handhold on her. With my encouragement and other Christian friends, it wasn’t long before she was welcomed into God’s family.

The good news sounds great to those who see Jesus befriending them. In the gospels, the Lord Jesus is constantly presented as a friend of sinners. He moved among people as their friend before He became their Savior.

Who can you befriend on Jesus’ behalf today? Ask God to bring to mind someone who needs Him –and you. How about you? Do you need a friend today? Ask Jesus to be with you in a way that will be a comfort to you.