I received a sample packet of tracts from “The Tract League” (a.k.a., “Faith, Prayer, & Tract League”) out of Grand Rapids, MI not long ago. Nearly every tract encouraged people to say a “sinner’s prayer” and then join a church, be baptized, etc. Some examples of their “prayers”: 1. “Jesus, I believe and I need the salvation you have provided. Come into my heart, rule my life today, and show me how to live. Amen” From: “The Plain Gospel” 2. “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: “What Is Meant By Salvation?” 3. “Jesus, I need your salvation. I open my heart to you. I confess that you are God’s own son, and that you died on the cross to save me from my sin. Help me to turn from my ways and follow you. Make me ready for your return and show me how to live in the days ahead. Amen.” From: “Jesus Is Coming Again” 4. “Jesus, I am sorry for the things I do and say that are wrong. Make me your child, take care of me and help me from now on to follow you. Amen.” From: “Here’s A Treat For You And Some Good News.”

All of us have seen prayers like these. Unfortunately, some may be deceived into saying a similar prayer, and think that they are saved. What does the Bible say about such prayers?

The Bible Never Mentions Such A Thing As A “Sinner’s Prayer.”

What verse might one use to prove that one can pray a “sinner’s prayer” in order to be saved? Some might use Luke 18:13. The problem with this is that the men mentioned in the text (Pharisee and publican) were both Jews! They were children of God and allowed to enter the Temple; but no “stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor ... in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary” (Ezek. 44:9). Therefore, the publican’s prayer of “God be merciful to me a sinner” would not be applicable to one outside of Christ today. Which New Testament passage teaches us to say a “sinner’s prayer” where, at that moment, one is saved? “We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth” (Jn. 9:31).

Each Of The Prayers Mentioned Are Different.

Notice that the “prayers” recorded above are all different. Two prayers do not even mention faith! (I wonder if our denominational friends would consider one saved if he tried to join them and said he had prayed one of the two prayers that doesn’t even mention faith in Christ?) Why bring this up? It is because in the New Testament, those God considered saved did the same thing in order to be saved. Each one heard God’s word (Rom. 10:17; Acts 8:5, 35, 16:13, 2:22), they believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 2:36, 8:12, 16:31, Mk. 16:16), repented of their sins (Lk. 13:3; Acts 2:38, 17:31), confessed their faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32; Acts 8:37), and were baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Mk. 16:16; Acts 8:12-13, 16:15, 33, 22:16). Each case of conversion in the Bible is consistent.

These Prayers Offer Another Way To Be Saved.

The “sinner’s prayer” is nothing more than a veiled attempt by man at circumventing God’s law by providing an alternate way to be saved. Christ said, “He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, ... the same is a thief and a robber” (Jn. 10:1). Who is the door? Christ! (Jn. 10:7, 9) He is the way (Jn. 14:6)! People such as Philip (Acts 8:5, 12, 35-39), Paul (Acts 17:3, 18:8), and Peter (Acts 2:22, 36-38, 3:19) pointed people to Christ. They did this by teaching what Christ taught (Acts 4:20, 9:22). Where in the Scriptures does Christ teach men to pray a “sinner’s prayer” in order to be saved?