DOES THE SINNERS’ PRAYER ACTUALLY WORK?
Were you told to say the sinners’ prayer to be saved or to meet the Lord?

As we always do, we will look at what the scripture says on this topic and not what man does. Man’s ways are corrupt, destitute, and opposed to the word of God.

WHAT IS THE SINNERS’ PRAYER? 
The sinners’ prayer is usually used at the end of a service or when someone says they want to “give their heart to the Lord”. It is said that after you sincerely make this prayer you are saved and destined to be with God after you die. But is this true? Let us go to the Word.

CAN THE SINNERS’ PRAYER BE FOUND IN SCRIPTURE?
There is NO INSTRUCTION that can be found in scripture that directs anyone to pray as we (the lost) are directed to do today; to know God.

WHAT IS FOUND IN SCRIPTURE TO BE SAVED?
The objective in this life is to get back to God, to be under His covering of salvation (salvation is to have eternal life). Let us look at what the scripture records with regards to what must be done to be saved or to have eternal life.

THE EUNUCH:
Here we find a gentile (non-Israelite, he was a eunuch of great authority) reading the scripture. Why? He is searching to know what is true. Then Philip tells him (eunuch) all about Yeshua (Jesus) including being baptized. After the eunuch sees some water, he expresses what can stop him? To this question, Philip asked him, “do you believe with all your heart?” The answer the Eunuch gave him was yes. You will note the Eunuch knew about Yeshua when he made his decision before being baptized.
(Acts 8:34-38 [KJV])
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.  And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

THE RICH YOUNG RULER:
This young man asked the Lord what he must do to have eternal life. Yeshua responded first by asking him if he kept the commandants to which he responded he kept ALL (all means the Torah). Then Yeshua made an interesting comment, TO BE PERFECT sell all that you have and come follow me. The perfection is not in selling all that you have, but rather, Yeshua was saying to put Him first in your life ahead of all things (FOLLOW YESHUA).
(Matt 19:16 [KJV])
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

(Matt 19:20-21 [KJV])
The young man saith unto him, ALL these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be PERFECT, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: AND COME AND FOLLOW ME.

THE MAN ON THE CROSS:
Here we have a man dying on a cross and he says to Yeshua remember him, and Yeshua responds, today you will be with me in paradise. No sinners’ pray, no waiting in purgatory, no baptism, and no set of sacraments to perform, he has salvation.
(Luke 23:41-43 [KJV])
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

IN CONCLUSION:
The question is what do the three people have in common (or not) that they were able to gain eternal life without having to say the sinners’ prayer?

1. All three knew about what Yeshua said and did. When the young man came to ask the question of the Lord He knew that He (Yeshua) had the answer (which did not appeal to him) -why else would he ask? The Eunuch knew who Yeshua was after he read the scripture and Philip completed the explanation. The man on the cross knew who Yeshua was. Why? He said this man (Yeshua) is innocent. Also, he addressed Yeshua as Lord (Master). He also knew about Yeshua’s Kingdom; he must have heard the gospel message before his being placed on the cross.

2. The man on the cross and the Eunuch believed in Yeshua and gained eternal life. The young ruler did not follow our Lord and lost his salvation.

3. The two that gained salvation understood who Yeshua was and they believed in Him (chose to follow). The young man refused to believe/follow and was lost.

4. IMPORTANT: None that believed and gained eternal life was asked to say the sinners’ prayer.

Putting it all together, you must first know who Yeshua is. Why? How can you believe unless you know what to believe. Secondly, you must make up in your heart/mind that you want to follow Him and make Him Lord of your life (Read about salvation and iniquity). After you hear and understand that Yeshua is the Son of God and in Him alone there is salvation, you must then repent (turn away from sin in your heart – Read the heart of an adulterer); do not just say it but know it for yourself in your heart (not a prayer), and then you must be baptized.
(Acts 2:37-38 [KJV])
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Last, after you have submitted yourself to God, He (God) decides that you are saved and then He will give you the Holy Ghost. He (God) chooses us.
(John 15:16 [KJV])
Ye have not chosen me, BUT I (GOD) HAVE CHOSEN YOU, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

He God will give us the Holy Ghost…
(John 14:15-16 [KJV])
If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter (Holy Ghost), that he may abide with you for ever;

IS THERE ANYTHING WRONG WITH USING THE SINNERS’ PRAYER?
Something for you to consider: The evidence suggests that the number of people that fall away after an altar call and saying the sinners’ prayer is between 84-95%. Why would so many people not choose to go on with the Lord after praying the sinners’ prayer? Maybe it does not work and we should simply follow the scripture to ensure 100% conversations to our Lord.

TTGM invites you to listen to these presentations on the subject – HERE

God only hears the righteous. End

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MORE TOPICS OF INTEREST:

Understanding how to gain the gift of ETERNAL LIFE (SALVATION)

Read about the Many (to Hell) and the Few (to God’s Kingdom)

Understanding the Old and New Covenant – Explaining the Gospel

Understanding what is Iniquity (not keeping the commandments of God/Torah)

Why the FEW keep the commandments as written in the Torah (videos – watch the first).

A historical account that explains why the modern church moved away from the Way (the commandments of God) – watch the first video