The Sinner's Prayer

As someone who has grown up in a Christian/church environment I always believed that there was supposed to be one defining moment when I “became a Christian” or “got saved”. We characterise this moment as when we “ask Jesus into our heart” or say “the sinner’s prayer”.

I did this when I was a three year old child. I knelt down next to my bed with my dad and sister and humbly asked Jesus to come and live in my heart. I loved Jesus in the only way a three year old could but I had no idea what inviting a grown man to come and live in my little heart meant. When I stood up from that prayer I didn’t feel any different but I remember how excited my dad was.

It wasn’t until many years later that I truly experienced God for myself rather than just catching the rebounds of my parent’s experience. My “conversion” took place over many years. I can’t pinpoint one defining moment when I suddenly knew that I was saved. Even now, thirty years later, I am still learning more and experiencing God in new and fresh ways.

It is interesting to note that there is no mention in the Bible of asking Jesus into your heart or quoting the sinner’s prayer in order to “get saved”. Jesus welcomed everyone who came to him. He spoke to them, comforted them, healed them, delivered them, taught them, loved them and encouraged them. He didn’t call an altar-call or even pray with them. In many cases he farewelled them with words such as “your faith has saved you”, “go in peace” and “do not sin anymore”.

Prayer is the way we communicate with Jesus now. The Bible says that if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, then you shall be saved. I assume the sinner’s prayer stems from this passage, but what about those who never have the opportunity to hear about Jesus?

The Bible says that God can be seen in the beauty of creation. God’s truth can be found anywhere, not just in our churches. Thousands of people around the world have never heard the name of Jesus, but I do not believe that means they are doomed to eternal damnation. God looks at the heart and I can’t believe that his grace does not extend to those who have never had the opportunity to hear about his son, and yet have searched for him in their own way.

I guess the key to the “sinner’s prayer” is follow up. I know many people who have said the prayer and never moved on from there – no transformation, no shift in priorities, no change in mindset – just good people who have continued on with their life as they did before. I believe salvation is only the first step of the journey. The real journey is about discipleship, not just saying a simple prayer and being done with it, but about a life-time of change. Discipleship is becoming like Jesus and it takes time, commitment, passion and sacrifice.