There is not a verse in the Bible that I have found that uses a prayer as the way for a person to be saved. There are lots of prayers for a person or people to receive Salvation. There may have been those who prayed confessing that we are sinful and/or thanking God for what He did on the cross 2000 years ago for us. But never have I read that the first thing required is a prayer of any kind.
The Bible is clear and consistent that Salvation and Justification with God is by faith and belief in Christ alone. No good works nor deeds are a requirement of Salvation (although we should have good works AFTER Salvation). No religious rituals are a requirement of Salvation (although water Baptism AFTER Salvation is an outward expression). In fact, an altar call to a pulpit is not even required. These actions are not required for Salvation and justification with God.
The Bible is clear that Salvation is by BELIEVING on the only atonement for sin provided by the only begotten Son of God, Jesus The Christ, who was conceived by the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, who lived a sinless life in mind and deed and who died on the cross paying the penalty for the sins of the whole world. On the third day after His death He rose again and later ascended to the right hand of the Father. And whosoever believes this is saved from the very moment of belief and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This is the Gospel Of Grace that the Apostle Paul taught us.
Is it okay to pray a sinner’s prayer in gratitude and belief in the true way to be saved? Yes. However, the important point here is that it is not the prayer that saves you. It is your belief in the Gospel Of Grace that the Apostle Paul taught that saves you. Just saying a prayer nor going to an altar call does not save anyone without understanding the Gospel Of Grace. There must be belief in the one and only way God tells us to be saved. We must be careful about this because the sinners prayers (and not all are the same!) are written by humans and some could be in great error and causing wrong belief! And that means a person can think they are saved when they still are not saved. This is a real danger today when there are so many false gospels being preached from TV evangelists, word of faith movement preachers, prosperity gospel preachers and the rampant works for Salvation false gospel.
Here are many Scriptures about how to be saved. You will notice a prayer is not found as the first step but the word “BELIEVE” and “FAITH’ is.
“For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye BELIEVED, ye were SEALED with that holy Spirit of PROMISE, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-16 KJV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that BELIEVETH on him is not condemned: but he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned already, because he hath not BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 KJV)
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the FAITH of Jesus Christ, even we have BELIEVED in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the FAITH of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16 KJV)
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the FAITH of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by FAITH:” (Philippians 3:9 KJV)
“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:28-29 KJV)
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that BELIEVETH on me shall never thirst.But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and BELIEVE NOT. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and BELIEVETH on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:35-40 KJV)
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and BELIEVETH on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24 KJV)
“And he BELIEVED in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6 KJV)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that BELIEVETH; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 KJV)
“Even the righteousness of God which is by FAITH of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that BELIEVE: for there is no difference:” (Romans 3:22 KJV)
“To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which BELIEVETH in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26 KJV)
“But to him that worketh not, but BELIEVETH on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5 KJV)
“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” (James 2:23 KJV)
“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that BELIEVETH that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5 KJV)
“These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13 KJV)
….and the list of Scriptures proving this goes on and on and on.
Related Articles:
- Is Salvation By Works or Faith?
- What Must I Do To Be Saved From My Sins?
- Just Ask Jesus Into Your Heart To Be Saved? NO!
