Yesterday my wife and I were in Branson, MO at a popular strip mall. We decided when we got out of the car that we were each going to talk to at least three people about Jesus before we left. We were using the approach, "Is there anything I can pray for you about."

I'll later share some other things that happened, but at one point we were walking (scoping people out) when we approached three teenagers. They had dyed hair, wore mostly black, and had chains hanging from their belts, one was standing and two were sitting on a bench.

My wife said, "We could talk to them." (Translation: "Why don't you go talk to them.")

I responded, "Go for it." (Translation: "How about you talk to them?")

She walked right up to the one standing and said, "Excuse me, this might seem weird but, can I ask you a question?"

He turned to face her and lowered an eyebrow. "Uh ... sure."

"Is there anything I can pray for you about?" She was smiling at him and ... well, I never thought she looked more beautiful, but that's just me.

He relaxed. "Yeah, actually. I'm just having kind of a hard time right now ... in school."

She nodded. "You're a high school student?"

"Yeah."

"What year?"

"Sophomore." His posture made it clear he really was having a tough time and wanted to talk about it.

Kara maintained eye contact. "I remember my sophomore year. It was hard."

At this point, a girl, sitting on the bench, was waving her arms and trying to get Kara's attention. Kara was intent on her conversation with the guy, Denver, and didn't notice. I interrupted. "Uh, babe, somebody's trying to get your attention."

The girl spoke up. "Hey, you can pray for Barry here" and pointed at the guy next to her. "He has some difficult decisions to make."

Barry nodded. "I need to decide whether to go into the service or not."

Kara chatted with Barry for a bit and then turned to the girl. "What about you? Anything I can pray for you about?"

She too said she was going through a "difficult time" and wanted prayer.

The short of it is, by walking up to these kids and addressing them, we were able to talk for quite a while. We all five bowed our heads, with people walking by, and Kara prayed for each of them by name - covering the particulars of their requests. We also encouraged them to live for Jesus, read the Bible, etc ... they listened intently to every word we said and at the end it was obvious they were glad we stopped.

Jesus himself predicted the "fields are ripe unto harvest" (people want to hear) but what is missing is "laborers" that will go out into the fields.

I challenge you, try walking up to a stanger and start talking. Do it regularly. My experience is, if you have the guts to do so, and approach them respectfully, nine out of ten will be glad you did. And the tenth will at least be polite. Don't be afraid. Do something.