Are you a Christian who has a friend who does not believe in God, but you desperately want them to appreciate and eventually embrace your faith?

Changing the mind of an atheist is understandably not an easy task, but popular evangelist Rev. Billy Graham has tips on how to accomplish this noble task, and it involves just two easy steps.

In a question-and-answer column published this week, Graham was confronted with this query: "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?"

In response, Graham stated that the task of softening the mind and heart of an atheist cannot be accomplished by an individual on their own. He explained that a person who seeks to convert atheists should employ the help of God, who "can conquer even the most stubborn heart."

Recognising this, the preacher said the first important step to convincing atheists about God's loving presence is to pray for them.

"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," Graham said, as quoted by Fox News.

Aside from prayer for others, Graham also enjoined Christians to always pray for themselves, that they may become living testaments of God's love for all, so as to encourage those who do not believe in Him to do so.

"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," the famed evangelist said.

"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."