Are you searching for a way to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Look no further, as this article provides a comprehensive guide to the “Prayer to Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.” Whether you are new to Christianity or seeking a deeper connection with Jesus, this prayer is a powerful tool that can transform your life. In this article, we will explore various aspects of this prayer, including biblical references, notable figures who have prayed this prayer, and the significance of accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. So, let’s delve into the wonderful journey of faith and salvation that awaits you.
The power is in what they mean to you. You aren’t praying a single word but joining your heart with God’s to communicate something. And God loves the way you talk to him. Before you begin the prayer, ask God to help you focus on his presence and the words of the prayer so you can reflect on them as you pray and when conclude the prayer, ask God for forgiveness for anything that stands between you and him.
If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity? God knows your answer, but He also wants you to know what that means and why He wants it. I know, because I’ve been through the process of accepting Christ as my savior, born again. You see, I didn’t understand how God wanted me to live my life before I received Christ as my savior.
I didn’t understand how much sin had affected my life. We’ve all been in the situation where we feel alone, and perhaps the most terrifying way we can feel is feeling lonely from God. We may scoff at others when they say, “Christians are all hypocrites” or that “I can’t trust God.” It’s easy for us to defend our faith because we’re not in their shoes, but what about when it’s you who feels this way? This is a step-by-step guide to pray when you are at your lowest and have doubts about Jesus Christ.
Prayer To Receive Jesus As Lord And Savior
This prayer to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord is also sometimes called The Sinner’s Prayer. That’s because we begin by confessing our need for Christ to forgive our sins. This prayer to accept Jesus is used at the time of conversion and personal commitment to follow Christ or at the time of baptism. This article will guide you on how to use this prayer for yourself or with others.
Father, help me to be drawn to You. Help me to see that I need a Savior. I believe Jesus is Your Son and that He died for my sins. Thank You for dying in my place and forgiving my sins. Thank You for helping me each day and guiding me as I live my life. Thank You for helping me to know what is the right thing to do. Continue praying until you have said those things on the list above that you need to say. Then truly accept Christ into your life, so that at last you will have found true peace.”
Dear God,I’m a sinner and I need to be saved. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die on the cross for all my sins and those of the world. Please forgive me of all my sins and give me eternal life in heaven with you. I believe that Jesus Christ is your only son, and he was crucified, buried and raised from the dead for my sins. Be with me Lord and lead me to salvation. In non-believing adults who have been prayed for using this prayer, conversion rates are between 7-13%; in children, conversion is around 40%. Please, as you read this prayer, understand that it isn’t magic. The words don’t mean anything by themselves.
What is the “Prayer to Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior”?
The “Prayer to Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior” is a heartfelt prayer where you acknowledge and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. It is a prayer of surrender, acknowledging your need for salvation and inviting Jesus to take control of your life. This prayer is the starting point of a lifelong relationship with Jesus, as it marks the moment of accepting Him into your heart.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior
Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior is a life-changing decision that brings about true transformation. The decision to accept Jesus is not to be taken lightly, as it carries eternal significance. The Bible verse Romans 10:9-10 emphasizes the importance of this decision: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Billy Graham’s Prayer to Accept Jesus
One notable figure who prayed the “Prayer to Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior” is the renowned evangelist Billy Graham. Graham’s prayer of repentance and accepting Jesus has resonated with millions around the world. His words serve as an example for anyone seeking to pray this prayer. One variation of his prayer goes as follows: “Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In your name, Amen.”
Prayer to Accept Jesus in Your Heart
To accept Jesus in your heart means to open yourself up to His love, grace, and guidance. It is an act of surrender where you invite Jesus to dwell within you and transform your life. This prayer is often said privately, as it is a personal conversation with God. A simple yet powerful prayer to accept Jesus in your heart can be: “Dear Jesus, I acknowledge my need for you. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and rose again. I repent of my sins and invite you to come into my heart and be the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank you for the gift of salvation and for your unconditional love. In your precious name, Amen.”
What Happens When You Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior?
Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior brings about a profound transformation in your life. It marks the beginning of a personal relationship with God and grants you the gift of eternal life. When you make this decision, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you, guiding you in your journey of faith. The Bible verse John 3:16 beautifully captures the significance of accepting Jesus: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Salvation Prayer
The “Prayer to Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior” is often referred to as the salvation prayer. It is a sincere prayer where you express your repentance for sin and acknowledge your need for salvation through Jesus Christ. This prayer is not a mere formality but an authentic conversation with God. It is an essential step towards receiving the gift of salvation and experiencing the transformative power of Christ’s love.
Accepting Jesus as Your Lord and Savior
Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior is a personal decision that has a lifelong impact. It is not just a one-time event but a continual process of surrendering to His will, growing in faith, and experiencing His love and grace. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are no longer bound by the chains of sin, but you are set free to live a life of purpose and fulfillment. The Bible verse Galatians 2:20 beautifully encapsulates this truth: “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Simple Prayer of Salvation
If you are seeking a simple prayer of salvation to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you can use the following prayer as a guide: “Dear Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and in need of your forgiveness. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and rose again. I ask you to come into my heart, cleanse me from all unrighteousness, and be the Lord and Savior of my life. I surrender myself to your will and commit to following you. Thank you for your grace and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” In conclusion, the “Prayer to Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior” is a powerful and transformative prayer that opens the door to a personal relationship with God. It is a prayer of surrender, repentance, and acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. Whether you use a specific prayer like Billy Graham’s or a simple prayer of your own, what matters is the authenticity and sincerity of your heart. May this prayer serve as a stepping stone towards a life filled with God’s love, grace, and purpose.
How to use this prayer
It has been my highest honor and privilege to use this prayer to accept Jesus or The Sinner’s Prayer to lead someone to Christ.
From my earliest years as a young Christian to now as a pastor it has been wonderful to lead folks of all ages to Christ using this prayer.
The prayer example that I will give is only a sample of the many different ways you could express or use such a prayer.
1. The Spiritual elements
The spiritual elements and theology you could or would use in such a prayer are as follows:
a. You are a sinner
b. You need a Savior
c. Jesus is the way to eternal life and salvation
d. Jesus died for you
e. Jesus is God’s Son
f. Repentance and confession of sin
g. Acceptance of Jesus as your savior
h. Faith expressed from the heart
i. Receiving forgiveness of sin
j. Commitment to live for Christ
k. Assurance of God’s love and work in one’s heart
2. It’s not all about the words but rather about what happens in our heart.
I usually lead someone in a version of prayer similar to these elements of theology. The important thing about this prayer is the person accepting or receiving God’s grace. It is a work of the heart and as such is supernatural. It is a work of God and not man. Saying a prayer does not save. The true fact of the matter is that Jesus saves! We don’t. Just reciting a prayer like a magic potion will not produce results if it is orchestrated by us without God’s conviction and work in that person’s heart. I am always aware of this when I lead someone to Christ. I ask them if they are ready.
3. Saying the prayer
When I lead someone to Christ, I use short phrases and words to be repeated after me to be prayed from the heart by that person or persons. I then encourage them to get involved in a local church and become a member, read their Bible, pray, fellowship with believers, and witness for Christ.
The following is an example of a sinner’s prayer similar to what I use to lead people to Christ:
Lord God,
Please forgive me for my sins. I believe that you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins.
I believe that you love me. I believe in my heart who you are. You are the Son of God. I confess with my mouth that I am a sinner. I accept you Lord Jesus as my savior. Please cleanse me from my sin and create a new and clean heart in me. I do believe that you are my savior and I now want to live for you as my Lord and my God. I know that I have eternal life in you because of the work you did on Calvary’s cross for me. Thank you, God. In Jesus Name. Amen.
4. The Scriptures behind the prayer
Scriptures that apply to the bold italic phrases or words of the above sinner’s prayer:
1. forgive me, Luke 7:48; Luke 5:8
2. my sins, Romans 3:23
3. you sent, John 3:17
4. believe that you love me, Romans 5:8; John 3:16
5. believe in my heart who you are…the Son of God, I John 5:12
6. I confess with my mouth that I am a sinner, Romans 10:9-10; I John 1:9
7. Accept…my savior, Romans 10:13
8. Cleanse me…create..new..clean heart in me, Psalm 51:9-10
9. now want to live for you…as my Lord and my God, Galatians 2:20; John 20:27-28
10. know…eternal life, I John 5:11; Romans 6:23
11. the work you did, John 6:28-29
12. on Calvary’s cross, Luke 23:33; John 19:30
My Personal experiences and tips
I can give personal testimony to that fact that saying the words to this prayer does not change your life unless you mean it from your heart. At age 14 a group of young men from a local church were zealous to lead me in a type of sinner’s prayer. It was somewhat forced. I obliged and prayed the prayer, but it really wasn’t from the heart and I was not ready either. It wasn’t until six years later when I was in college that I said this prayer and truly meant it, repenting and turning my life over to Christ.
My personal search and experience began in June of 1979 as a college student at summer break back home working in an industrial plant. A fellow worker and new friend simply invited me to church. He and others helped me begin the process as a seeker by praying for me and witnessing to me. I went to church with my fellow worker. When they prayed at the altar, I would go up with them. After about a month or so of this, I sensed the need to repent of my wrongdoings and could actually feel the prayers of others for me. Later different Christian believers told me that they had been praying for me.
One day I felt the presence of God physically at home and felt called to pray. I sensed a conviction and a need to get on my knees at home and ask Jesus into my life and to forgive me. I had been lonely and empty but after this experience through prayer I felt happy and joyful. Something had changed in my life and heart. I felt like a new person. I had a different outlook on life. Nature and even the trees which previously meant nothing to me came alive with vibrant color and life. It was good to be alive.
I began to tell people about my experience and encouraged others to have a similar experience of giving their life to Christ because it had changed my life. I had a strong desire to read the Bible and sometimes I read as many as ten to fifteen chapters a day. Within three months, I sensed a call to be a preacher in October of 1979 at the college campus.
We never know when others are ready. But this should not prevent us from leading someone to Christ or witnessing. We should always plant the seed through witnessing and prayer. God does the work!
The Biblical and traditional background of this prayer
This prayer uses a variety of key scriptures about saving faith through the atoning death of Jesus Christ.
An early example of the Sinner’s Prayer can be found in chapter 18 of Pilgrim’s Progress written by John Bunyan in 1678.
“God be merciful to me a sinner, and make me to know and believe in Jesus Christ; for I see, that if his righteousness had not been, or I have not faith in that righteousness, I am utterly cast away. Lord, I have heard that thou art a merciful God, and hast ordained that thy Son Jesus Christ should be the Saviour of the world; and moreover, that thou art willing to bestow him upon such a poor sinner as I am-and I am a sinner indeed. Lord, take therefore this opportunity, and magnify thy grace in the salvation of my soul, through thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”
The Sinner’s Prayer was popularized by evangelist Dwight Moody (1837-1899) who had a heart for reaching the unchurched, especially youth.