The Sinner's Prayer: Repentance and Trust, Not a Ritual
A short, repeated prayer is often used to lead enquirers to Christ. Scripture, however, points to repentance and wholehearted trust in Jesus — evidenced by a transformed, obedient life — as the true mark of salvation, not the recitation of a formula.
A Common Evangelistic Tool
Often, at the end of evangelistic meetings, those who respond to the appeal to follow Christ are asked to repeat a simple prayer, such as 'Dear God, I realise I am a sinner, and can never reach heaven by my own efforts. I am sorry for my sin – please forgive me. I put my faith in Jesus Christ who died for my sins and rose again to give me eternal life. Please come into my heart and help me live for you. Thank you for accepting me into your eternal family'.
This is a common tool, but a rather shallow one. While it is desirable for a sinner to pray to Jesus, confessing sin and asking for forgiveness, nowhere does Scripture record anyone being urged to repeat a prayer, for it is not the ritual that saves but trust in what Jesus did on the cross and a wholehearted embracing of that provision. The specific New Testament instruction is to 'repent and believe the gospel' (Mt 3:8; Mk 1:15; Lk 13:1-5; Act 2:28, 3:19, 17:30, 26:20; 2 Tim 2:19). The emphasis must be on repentance and trust in Christ.
Repentance is far more than feeling sorry. It is a change of mind that leads to a change of direction: a resolute turning away from sin and a turning to God, in the strength He supplies. It involves honest confession, 'forsaking' sin rather than merely regretting its consequences (Prov 28:13), and a godly sorrow that 'produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted' (2 Cor 7:10). True repentance is proven by deeds — lives re-orientated so that others 'see your works and glorify your Father in heaven' (Mt 5:16; Act 26:20).
A true understanding of repentance
Evidence of a Changed Heart
Water baptism is an outward declaration of this change of heart, indicating the death and burial of sinful living as Jesus is now my Lord and Master (Act 2:21,38, 16:31; Rom 10:13). Such belief and trust in Jesus requires ongoing commitment: doing the will of God shows we love Him (Lk 6:46; Jn 14:15,21; 1 Cor 15:1-4; 1 Jn 2:3, 5:3; 2 Jn 1:6). It is not the talk but the walk that reveals the possession of salvation is a reality.
While God does use the sinner's prayer in His sovereign work of salvation, we must not give the false hope that those who have merely recited it are saved, for there will be many who assume they are converted but who will hear Jesus says to them, "I never knew you, depart from me…" (Mt 7:21-23). It is better to get the enquirer to originate their own heartfelt prayer to God than to glibly repeat a prayer, besides being informed Jesus is not to be viewed as a 'get-out-of-hell' pass but a new Master, who (although providing free salvation) requires dedication from His followers to walk in His ways. The genuineness of that confession is evidenced by the transformation from a sinful lifestyle to one characterized by the qualities of love, joy, peace… together with forgiveness offered to others.
Jesus saves us, not a superficial prayer
Where a guided prayer is thought helpful, it should at least reflect the fullness of what conversion actually involves. An alternative to the shallow formula above, one that emphasises repentance and a genuine commitment to let Jesus be Master, could run along these lines:
'Heavenly Father, I come to You acknowledging that I am a sinner. I have lived my own way, in rebellion against You, and I do not excuse myself. I am truly sorry for my sin — for what I have done and for the good I have failed to do — and I now repent of it: I turn from it, renounce it and confess it to You, asking You to forgive me and cleanse me through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose again, and I know I could never earn or deserve Your salvation by anything I do — it is Your free gift of grace — so I place my whole trust in Jesus alone to save me. Today I surrender to Jesus as my Lord and Master: I give up my right to rule my own life, and I commit myself, by Your Spirit's strength, to obey His commands, walk in His ways and serve Him all the days of my life — whatever that costs. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, make me a new creation, and keep me faithful to the end. Amen.'
Even such a prayer, however, is only words unless the heart behind it is sincere. The person praying it should understand what they are committing to, and the genuineness of the prayer will be shown, not in its eloquence, but in the obedience that follows (Lk 6:46; Jas 2:17).
There must be evidence of a change of heart
The Bible does not say we should 'ask Jesus into our hearts'. This is a misunderstanding of what was spoken to a wayward church in John's vision (Rev 3:20). Upon becoming a believer the Holy Spirit comes and lives within us (Act 2:38, 5:32; 1 Cor 6:19; Eph 1:13). Jesus needs nothing from His creation and is not looking for acceptance, as if He is lonely and we are doing Him a favour. Instead He demands our obedience, for it is those who obey the commands of Christ, repenting and believing in Jesus Christ, who will be saved (Rom 10:9-10). Any confession we make with our mouth should match the experience of our heart — not as a means of salvation, but as evidence that our salvation was brought about by God and secured in heaven by Him (1 Pet 1:3-9).
Discipleship, Not a Consumer Gospel
Progressively, modern day evangelism has made the gospel a consumer-orientated message, yet Jesus requires us to give up our rights and the obsessions of our hearts to follow on His terms. Just adding Him to our busy, self-centred lifestyles is not what discipleship is about (Mk 10:17-22; Lk 14:33). Those who make a 'decision' to become a Christian should be followed up and nurtured by other Christians for, like newborn babies, they are vulnerable and helpless, needing feeding and training. As we get to know our heavenly Father through Bible reading, prayer and meeting with other believers, we will take on the character of the family of God (Gal 5:22-23).
Follow-up is essential
Reflection and Application:
- Ask God to show whether your confidence rests on a prayer once repeated, or on daily trust in Christ.
- If you have never truly repented, pray your own heartfelt prayer of confession today.
- If you have led someone in a sinner's prayer, follow them up and nurture them like a newborn believer.
- Evidence your salvation through obedience, forgiveness and the fruit of the Spirit.