Listener Frank called into the Patrick Madrid Show seeking guidance on a matter that weighed heavily on his heart. Each week he leads a communal rosary, and among the faithful who gather is a woman in her late seventies. Her concern is not for herself but for a dear friend who does not believe in God. As both women enter the later years of life, the gravity of this disbelief has become painful for her, and she approached Frank hoping he might know how to help. Frank, unsure of what counsel to offer, turned to Patrick for direction.

Patrick began by acknowledging that there is no single method that works for every soul. A person’s path away from faith often shapes the path back. Some never believed in God, some are lapsed Catholics, and others carry wounds that hardened their hearts after suffering or disappointment. Understanding the story behind a person’s disbelief can open the door to patient and compassionate evangelization.

To offer the woman something practical, Patrick suggested beginning with resources that speak to universal human experience. He recommended a book by Peter Kreeft called Making Sense out of Suffering. Since all people encounter sorrow and hardship, such a book can awaken deeper questions without immediately confronting the reader with arguments about God’s existence. It becomes a gentle invitation rather than a direct challenge, a way of nudging the heart toward truth.

Patrick also encouraged Frank to tell the woman that simple gestures of prayer can become vessels of grace. She might ask her friend if she would be willing to pray together, even briefly. If the friend feels uncomfortable, she can still be asked whether she would allow someone to pray for her in her presence. That small act of consent, humble as it seems, may provide the Lord with the opening needed to stir a dormant longing for Him. God often works powerfully through moments that appear modest to human eyes.

Another approach is to pose open-hearted questions about death and the afterlife. Without lecturing or forcing conclusions, the woman might ask her friend where she believes she will go when her life ends. Such a question encourages reflection on eternal realities and awakens the conscience to truths it may have ignored. This gentle method, rooted in sincere curiosity rather than confrontation, helps guide a soul to consider the possibility of heaven, judgment, and the God who calls each person to Himself.

If her friend is nearing the end of her earthly journey, Patrick advised that she speak plainly, yet lovingly, about preparing to meet God. She can express her desire to help her friend seek the mercy of Christ, who offered His life for every human soul. By reminding her friend that she is loved by God, and by offering accompaniment as she approaches the sacraments, she may help lead her toward eternal hope.

Frank’s question reflects a deep Christian charity, for the desire for another’s salvation is itself a sign of God at work. By approaching the situation with patience, gentleness, and prayer, the woman may become an instrument through which grace touches a heart long turned away. And in these quiet acts of fidelity, the light of Christ continues to shine.