Pray in Your Own Words
You've learned that everyone has fallen short of God's glory and that sin earns spiritual death. You've discovered how Christ died to pay the penalty for your sin, demonstrating God's perfect love. You've seen that God offers eternal life as a free gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ. And you've understood that by believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, you will be saved.
Now, you're ready to take the final step—to express your faith through prayer. The prayers below are samples you can use to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. As you recite one of these prayers, you are acknowledging your need for Christ, inviting Him into your life, and beginning a new life devoted to following Jesus. This moment marks your transition from understanding the truth to personally receiving God's gift of salvation.
Below are some samples of the Sinner's Prayer. Find a quiet place to get long with God and pray with a sincere heart.
Classic Prayer of Invitation
Lord Jesus Christ, for too long, I've kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith, I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.
Prayer of Repentance and Faith
Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you today recognizing my need for you. I confess that I am a sinner and that I have fallen short of your glory. I am truly sorry for my sins, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and rose again, conquering death so that I may have eternal life. I invite you into my heart and life. Please be my Lord and Savior. Help me to follow you and live according to your will from this day forward. Thank you for your love, grace, and mercy. In your precious name, I pray. Amen.
Dear Jesus, I know that I have sinned and made mistakes. I am sorry for my sins and ask for your forgiveness. I believe that you died on the cross for me and rose again to give me new life. I invite you into my heart and ask you to be my Lord and Savior. Help me to follow you and live the way you want me to. Thank you for loving me and giving me eternal life. Amen.
Congratulations!
If you prayed one of these prayers with a sincere heart, you can rest assured that you are now a child of God. Praise the Lord! Your name has been written in the Book of Life, and you have received the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
Scripture gives us wonderful assurance of our salvation:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12)
"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13)
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
As a new believer, it's essential to do a few things that will encourage your spiritual growth. Reading God's Word daily will help you understand who God is, how He wants you to live, and deepen your relationship with Him.
