Many churches make it too easy by just asking for people to just raise their hands with all eyes closed then speak out the sinner’s prayer.
The decision to accept Jesus as your Savior is a public declaration and you will need good backup from mature Christians to avoid attacks from Satan. It is essential that you tell others that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord.
Jesus states in MARK 8.38
“If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendour of God, His Father, with an army of the holy angels.”
It is not important what words you use as long as you declare that you are a sinner and have done things in secret or in the open that you would not want others to know.
for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Tell Jesus that you ask forgiveness and lay your sins at the foot of the cross. You must believe, in faith, that Jesus was crucified and has taken your sins upon Himself. That He died, was buried and rose again on the 3rd day. He, after many days, was taken back up to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit, on Pentecost, to give His followers the power to carry on His message to the world.
A sample prayer is set out below so you may use it as a guide. Rember the prayer is not the important thing but the one you are praying to is!
The Sinner’s Prayer (by Dr. Ray Pritchard)
Lord Jesus, 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.
You are now Saved and your spirit has become alive again and open to God. Jesus has breathed on you and given you the Holy Spirit to help you. God, Jesus and the Angels in heaven are rejoicing!
Remember this is just the first step
