What’s Wrong with...The Sinner’s Prayer?

Introduction

I’m sure you’ve heard, at the conclusion of a sermon, a preacher makes a plea for those who desire to become a Christian. This is what’s known as the invitation. However, some don’t know what the plan of salvation is and they create a shortcut by telling people to: Accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior, say the Sinner’s Prayer, then attend the church of your choice.

Do we read anywhere in scripture that a person is saved by prayer? The answer is No. But let’s look at the idea of the Sinner’s Prayer and compare it to what the bible says.

What is the Sinner’s Prayer?

The origin of this type of prayer goes back to the mid-1700s when a preacher used the text of Rev. 3:20 in the first person; in other words, instead of Jesus saying this, the preacher was. Let’s look at the text…

Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (NKJV)

Fairly persuasive if you ask me. However, if you look at the context in which the verse is used, it is referencing the member of a local congregation in Laodicea. They were already saved individuals who’d lost their way and Jesus was pleading with them to repent.

Here’s an example you might be familiar with…

"Jesus, I believe that you are the holy Son of God. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and that you rose from the dead. You are my salvation. Please wash all my sins away and make me a child of God. I give my life to you today. Amen."

From the tract: "What Is Meant By Salvation?"

If this prayer is all one has to say to become a Christian, then how does this prayer wash away sins? Look at this example again. There’s no mention of how this is accomplished.

Cleaning Self

Let’s look at it another way. If sin is considered filth, and you want to wash away the filth, what would you use? You’d want to use a cleansing agent, like soap, and water. Water alone can’t do it; nor can soap. It must be both! The cleansing agent for sin is the blood of Christ. You won’t find that in any prayer.

When Jesus died on the cross, his blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. For us to share in his blood, we must also die; die to sin. We are then buried in baptism (as a dead body is buried in dirt). It is in the immersion of water that we make contact with the blood of Christ. Not a literal contact, of course, but a spiritual one through obedience of his word (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-5ff)

No prayer, no matter how special or personal has ever saved an individual from his sins and made him a Christian. For someone to say that, hasn’t read the scriptures and is a false teacher. You can only become a Christian by the plan of salvation. We’ll look at that at the end of the article.

What about the Tax Collector in Luke 18?

The story of the Pharisee and the Publican (tax collector), found in Luke 18:10-14, has been used to justify that prayer is the only thing needed to become a Christian. Let’s look at the entire passage…

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."  (NKJV)

I highlighted the verse in question. The tax collector simply said, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' They will say, “There, he only prayed and Jesus went on to say he was justified.” The one major thing they overlook is the beginning of verse 10 which states, ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray.’ Under the Old Law, the only people allowed inside the temple were Jews; God’s chosen people. Therefore, as in Rev. 3:20, both of these men were already saved and had only need to pray for repentance.

What Must I do?

This question was asked on 3 different occasions in scripture and the answer has always been the same…

Hear the Word of God (Rom. 10:17)

Believe Jesus is the Son of God (John 8: 24)

Confess Jesus is the Son of God (Rom. 10: 9-10)

Repent of your sins (Acts 2: 38)

Become baptized to wash away your sins (Acts 22:16)

Live Faithfully even unto Death (Rev. 2: 10)

Conclusion

No prayer has been authorized to make any individual a Christian, but the six steps listed above have been given and, you will note, that there is scripture attached to prove that it is from God. If someone tells you that a prayer is all you need, ask them to show you where in the scripture that prayer made be found and who said it.

If it’s not from God, it is not authorize and it won’t save you from your sins. Do the right thing and follow God’s authority instead of Man’s (Mt. 7:21-23).