The prayer of salvation, also known as the sinner’s prayer or salvation prayer, is a prayer that Christians pray when they want to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and be saved. It is a prayer acknowledging one’s sinfulness, accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and inviting Him into one’s heart and life. While there is no one specific prayer or set of words required for salvation, this prayer expresses the desire to repent of sin, trust in Christ alone for salvation, and follow Him as Lord. Here is an overview of the biblical basis and key elements of the prayer of salvation.
Biblical Basis
Though the exact words “sinner’s prayer” are not found in Scripture, the concept of praying a prayer to receive Christ as Savior is biblically based. Romans 10:9-10 says “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” This indicates a prayer confessing faith in Christ’s lordship and His resurrection is related to salvation.
Additionally, Romans 10:13 says “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Calling on the Lord through prayer for salvation is seen throughout Acts, as people pray to receive Christ upon hearing the gospel message (Acts 2:21, 22:16). Though these verses do not lay out exact words to pray, they display the biblical connection between prayer and salvation.
Further support can be seen in verses that describe salvation as a free gift received by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-24). A prayer admitting one’s sinfulness, professing faith in Christ, and surrendering one’s life to Him is a way of expressing this saving faith.
Key Elements
Though there is no required formula, some key elements are commonly present in a prayer of salvation:
- Admitting and repenting of one’s sins – Romans 3:23 says “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” A prayer of salvation includes confessing one’s sinfulness and need for forgiveness.
- Believing that Jesus is Lord and Savior – Romans 10:9 says to “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.” Affirming Christ’s lordship and believing He is the only Savior is central to the prayer.
- Asking Jesus into one’s heart and life – Revelation 3:20 says Jesus stands at the door and knocks, and if anyone hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in. The prayer invites Jesus into one’s life.
- Surrendering one’s life to follow Christ – Luke 9:23 says “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Surrendering to His lordship is part of receiving Him.
- Expressing desire to have a relationship with Jesus – John 1:12 says “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Starting a personal relationship with Jesus is central.
- Asking Jesus to fill you with His Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13 says “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” The prayer invites the Holy Spirit into one’s life.
- Expressing gratitude/giving thanks – The prayer thanks God for sending Jesus to provide salvation, for forgiving sins, and for the gift of eternal life.
These elements capture the biblical response to the gospel. The prayer acknowledges inability to save oneself, dependance on Christ alone, desire to turn from sin, and surrender to following Him. It expresses the faith through which God graciously gives salvation.
The Role of the Prayer
It is important to understand that while prayer is related to salvation, the prayer itself does not save. Romans 10:13 does not say that whoever recites a specific prayer will be saved. Salvation comes only by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). The prayer is an expression of that inward faith in Christ.
Additionally, saying the prayer does not mean one is definitely saved. Even praying the prayer wholeheartedly doesn’t guarantee salvation. True salvation involves repentance and true faith that endures to the end (Matthew 24:13, 2 Corinthians 7:10). The prayer marks the beginning of the Christian life, not the entirety of it. Ongoing surrender to Christ’s lordship is part of genuine conversion.
So the prayer does not save in and of itself – it is not a ritual or magic formula. It is only valid when it genuinely expresses repentance and belief that Jesus is the Lord and Savior through whom God graciously offers salvation. Salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith alone.
What the Bible Says About Salvation
Since the prayer of salvation is based on biblical truth about salvation, looking at what Scripture teaches can shed more light on the meaning of the prayer:
1. All people have sinned and are separated from God
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)
“your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you…” (Isaiah 59:2)
2. The penalty for sin is eternal death, but Christ paid it for us
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
3. Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (John 14:6)
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
4. We are saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18)
5. Salvation involves repentance and surrendering to Christ as Lord
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19)
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
6. Salvation applies to whoever calls on the Lord Jesus
“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'” (Romans 10:13)
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)
These verses give theological grounding for the basic content of the prayer – admitting sin, believing in Christ, repenting and surrendering to Him, calling on His name for salvation. They show salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, received by faith alone.
Examples from Scripture
Though the New Testament does not record the exact words of a salvation prayer, examples demonstrate people praying to receive Christ upon hearing the gospel. Here are a few instances:
The tax collector
“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'” (Luke 18:13). His humble prayer was answered as he went home justified before God (Luke 18:14).
The criminal on the cross
“And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'” (Luke 23:42-43). Jesus assured him of salvation in response to his brief prayer.
Peter’s Pentecost sermon
When convicted people responded “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” (Acts 2:37-38). His hearers prayed in response, receiving salvation.
The Philippian jailer
“And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.” (Acts 16:31-32). The jailer’s entire household believed and was saved.
These passages give examples of people praying brief, impromptu prayers for salvation upon hearing the gospel. Their prayers expressed repentance and faith in Christ. This illustrates how prayer accompanies salvation in Scripture.
Salvation Prayer Examples
Based on the biblical foundation above, here are some examples of salvation prayers:
Version 1
Dear Lord Jesus, I know 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. In Your name. Amen.
Version 2
Father, I know that I have broken Your laws and my sins have separated me from You. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward You. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Version 3
Lord Jesus, I admit I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dared confess, but through You I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank You for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to offer me complete forgiveness. Knowing that You have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Amen.
These sample prayers express the same basic elements – admitting sin, believing in Christ, repenting and surrendering to Him, and asking Him into one’s life. They illustrate turning to Jesus in simple prayer for salvation.
Tips for Praying the Prayer
When praying the prayer of salvation, it is important that it express a sincere heart attitude. Here are some tips:
- Mean it – Make sure you are ready to truly repent of sin and commit to following Jesus. Don’t just repeat empty words.
- Keep it simple – The prayer does not have to be complex. A short, authentic prayer from the heart is sufficient.
- Understand it does not save you – Salvation comes only by God’s grace through faith. The prayer is expressing that faith in Christ.
- Accept God’s promise – After praying genuinely, believe that God saves all who call on Him. Thank Him for the free gift of salvation.
- Begin a new life in Christ – Salvation marks the beginning of a transformed life learning to follow Jesus. Seek community and resources to grow in faith.
Praying the prayer expresses saving faith, but praying it alone does not save. Genuine repentance and ongoing trust in Christ must accompany it. Understanding this can help avoid incorrect views about the exact role of the prayer.
What to Do After Praying
Once you have prayed to receive Christ, there are vital steps to take as you begin your journey as a new believer:
- Tell someone – Share that you have trusted in Christ as your Savior. Telling others can help seal your commitment.
- Seek community – Meet regularly with other believers by finding a Bible-teaching church. This provides crucial support and accountability.
- Read the Bible – God’s Word is your lifeline as a new believer. Start reading the gospel of John to learn about Christ and His teachings.
- Talk to God – Have an ongoing conversation with God through prayer. Share your heart with Him constantly.
- Obey God’s Word – As you read the Bible, put what you learn into practice in your life. Allow it to guide and change you.
This new life following Christ is just the beginning. Settling into helpful spiritual practices will help anchor your faith as you seek to follow Jesus every day. Rely fully on His grace to help you grow.
Conclusion
In summary, the prayer of salvation is a prayer to commit one’s life to Christ, accept Him as Lord and Savior, and invite Him into one’s heart. It typically includes elements like admitting one’s sinfulness, believing Jesus died for one’s sins, repenting and surrendering one’s life to Him, and inviting Him to be Lord. It expresses the faith through which one receives the salvation offered in the gospel. When prayed sincerely, it marks the beginning of an amazing journey of following Jesus. The prayer itself does not grant salvation, but faith in Christ does. Understanding the biblical meaning of the prayer provides a solid foundation for this commitment.
