Grace and Prayer
—Especially the Sinner’s Prayer

In this lesson we link salvation by grace with salvation through prayer. In evangelical meetings it is usual for sinners to be told to pray the “sinner’s prayer” to be saved. This raises some important questions about the belief that salvation is by grace alone.

1 The “Sinner’s Prayer”

First let us look at the “Sinner’s Prayer” that is provided for sinners to recite. This prayer is not found in the Bible, although its authors would claim it is Biblical in its sentiments. There are many versions of it, some shorter than the sample below. However all versions are along similar lines.

In most versions there's a contrite acknowledgment of sin and the need of forgiveness. There's a confession of faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. There's usually some kind of commitment or contract for a change of conduct. There's a claim to be saved at the very moment the prayer is recited, and thanksgiving for this immediate salvation by grace.

Contradicting Grace Alone

Notice an interesting point about such a prayer. It contradicts the claim that salvation is by grace alone and nothing else. The “Sinner’s Prayer” makes faith, repentance, and confession of Christ, all conditions of forgiveness and necessary for salvation by grace. The prayer is correct in this. However it is contrary to the belief that grace is unconditional and salvation is by grace alone and nothing else.

If salvation is by grace alone and nothing else, then the “Sinner’s Prayer” is not necessary. The prayer calls for a sinner’s willing response to grace, before God grants forgiveness and salvation. This means salvation is not by grace alone. It is by grace conditional upon the sinner’s willing response.

So where does this leave us? Those who use the “Sinner’s Prayer” cannot consistently hold that salvation is by grace alone and the sinner contributes nothing to becoming saved. On the other hand, those who hold to that doctrine cannot use the “Sinner’s Prayer” without contradicting themselves.

Replacing Baptism

There's another interesting point about the “Sinner’s Prayer”. It replaces baptism. Jesus said, “The one who believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:15-16). But now people say, “The one who believes and says the Sinner’s Prayer shall be saved”. But Jesus didn't say that, did he?

Likewise, Ananias told Saul, “Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins...” (Acts 22:16). But now people say, “Arise and say the Sinner’s Prayer and wash away your sins...”. But Ananias didn't say that, did he?

2 Saul’s Prayers

Let's think about the conversion of Saul (who afterward became the apostle Paul). Most preachers say Saul was saved on the road to Damascus when confronted by Jesus. However, consider the words of Ananias who came to Saul in Damascus.

Here is a part of Luke’s account, followed by a part of Paul’s own account...

Saul had been three days in Damascus. He was praying —yet his sins were still not washed away, because Ananias said, “Why do you wait? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins...” (Acts 22:16).

Saul was not saved on the road. He was not saved in his prayers. He was not saved in his visions. He was not saved in receiving back his sight. He was saved, by grace, when he obeyed Ananias’s words.

This does not mean that Saul’s prayers were pointless or useless. Ananias was sent in answer to Saul’s prayers. But this sinner’s prayer was not the moment that his sins were forgiven. The sinner’s baptism was the great moment of grace for Saul. God’s grace had been working for Saul toward that moment.

So we observe that Saul prayed, but he did not pray the modern “Sinner’s Prayer” nor did he substitute it for baptism.

3 Prayers of Other Sinners

Let us briefly mention some other sinners who prayed to God, but they, like Saul, did not pray the modern “Sinner’s Prayer”.

Cornelius

The story of Cornelius is similar to Saul’s. Cornelius was told, “Your prayers and your alms have arisen as a memorial before God” (Acts 10:1-6). But he was not saved in any of his prayers because he was told, “Peter will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:13-14).

The Tax Collector

The most famous (and the shortest) sinner’s prayer is “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:9-14). In a parable, Jesus told of a tax collector who went to the temple and prayed thus. Jesus confirms that the man who prayed this prayer “went down to his house justified” (Luke 18:14).

This was not the modern “Sinner’s Prayer”. It lacked most of the elements. It certainly was not a prayer in which the man invited Jesus into his heart and confessed faith in the death and resurrection of Christ. Nevertheless, the man was granted salvation under the terms of the true religion of that time. He was already a child of God. His prayer is a pattern of humility, and trust in God not self. However, his prayer is not a pattern for becoming saved today.

Simon the Sorcerer

Simon the great sorcerer became a Christian and gave up his magic arts. But he sinned by offering money to buy the same miraculous powers as the apostles. Peter rebuked him severely, and said, “Repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray God that perhaps you may be forgiven for the thought of your heart” (Acts 8:9-24).

Here the “formula” for salvation is repent and pray. However this applies not to a sinner seeking to become a Christian, but to a Christian who has fallen and seeks to be restored. To be saved in the first place, Simon believed and was baptized (Acts 8:13).

The modern “Sinner’s Prayer” is perhaps a fitting prayer for the Christian seeking forgiveness. It is not a fitting prayer for the person seeking to become a Christian. Repent and pray is God’s law for the Christian who has sinned. Repent and be baptized is God’s law when a person first comes to Christ (Acts 2:38).

King David

After Nathan had condemned David’s union with with Bathsheba, David wrote a prayer of repentance which is very beautiful (Psalm 51). This too is a pattern for one who has been saved but has fallen into sin. Notice David says, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12).

The prayers mentioned above show us that the modern “Sinner’s Prayer” is perhaps appropriate for the restoration of a fallen Christian. However it is not appropriate for one who is wishing to become a Christian. The “Sinner’s Prayer” has been made a substitute for baptism. Unfortunately, that substitution has no authority from Christ.

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Webservant Ron Graham

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