The Sinner’s Prayer

By Pastor Peter Eng

What is “The Sinner’s Prayer”?

“The Sinner’s Prayer” is the convenient term Christians use to refer to a

person praying to God, perhaps for the first time, confessing to God that

he is a sinner and asking God to accept him.

Why do we pray for our salvation (as opposed to doing other things)?

Reason #1. Jesus gives us a real-life example.

Luke 18 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and

looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went

up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax

collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you

that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even

like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up

to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a

sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified

before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and

those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Jesus shows us that the one who prays to God in humility will be

acceptable to God, and the one who prays in self-pride will not be

acceptable to God. So it is the prayer with the right attitude that makes

us acceptable to God.

Reason #2. The Apostle Paul declares and explains it clearly.

Romans 10 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and

believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be

saved.

This verse tells us clearly that two things must align for us to be saved: the mouth and the heart. The heart needs to believe, and the mouth

needs to confess that “Jesus is Lord.” When you believe that Jesus is

Lord, you need to also “declare with your mouth.” That is, to say out

loud. There is a silent part that only God can see, that is the faith in your

heart. There is an audible part that others can witness, that is, when

“you declare with your mouth.”

For those who want to know more:

The Apostle Paul explains why you need to “believe in your heart”.

Romans 10 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

God looks at the heart and sees whether you mean what you say. So words alone will never do. Your salvation starts with what you believe in your heart. And when you believe that Jesus is the rightful Lord of your life, you are justified before God. And what is justification?

Justification is a judicial act of pardon. The penalty of sin is death. So God ought to condemn us to death. The reward of obedience to God is acceptance by God. Two substitutions happen in justification. Jesus is your substitute in the penalty of death. And Jesus is your substitute for the obedience you owe God. When God accepts you based on this substitution, he pardons you. You are now the obedient child of God.

The Apostle Paul quotes from the Old Testament why you need to (1) believe in your heart and (2) confess with your mouth.

Romans 10 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

The first scripture Paul cites is Isaiah 28:16 [LXX]. This OT Scripture assures you that if you believe in Jesus, you will not stand before God condemned and in shame.

Romans 10 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The second scripture Paul cites is Joel 2:32. This OT Scripture assures us that the one who “calls on the name of the Lord” will be saved. And he adds the point that it is “everyone” regardless of who does it. As long as you call out to the Lord, you will be saved. 

Is there a universally accepted “Sinner’s Prayer”?

There is no universally accepted sinner’s prayer in terms of the exact words. But all variations contain the same elements: (1) the confession of our sin, (2) receiving God’s gift of forgiveness through Jesus, and (3) surrendering to Jesus as the Lord of our life.

What is a sample Sinner’s Prayer we can use?

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior.” Amen.

Billy Graham

Is praying the sinner’s prayer the same as “accepting Christ”?

Most Christians use the two interchangeably, but that is not correct. When we pray the sinner’s prayer, we are asking God to accept us. We are asking for God’s acceptance. God is not asking for our acceptance. God is the almighty, the holy God. We stand condemned before him because of our sins. He accepts us because of what Jesus did, and because of our humble confession and plea for forgiveness. God does not need us to accept him. We need God to accept us.

I do not actively correct those who use the term “accepting Christ” in conversation, because I know it is a handle to mean “accepting God’s gift of forgiveness.” But I will be remiss if I do not point out how inappropriate it is for us to use the term “accept Christ.” To “accept Christ” makes you judge while Jesus stands as the accused waiting for your judgment. This will not do. God is judge over you. You stand condemned for your sins. And you are asking God to forgive you based on the goodness of Jesus. You are asking God to accept you. God is not asking you to accept him.

The term “accepting Christ” is incorrect and Christians should stop using it. We should instead use the term “receiving Christ.” This is more appropriate because we are receiving Jesus as God’s gift of forgiveness for us, and it avoids the wrong connotation that God is looking for our acceptance. 

18 March 2024