The way to obtain salvation in many denominations is by praying the sinner’s prayer. Each “Sinner’s Prayer” varies in detail, but they put forth the same idea: that if a person sincerely says and means these words, God will save them. But, there is no sinner’s prayer mentioned in the Scriptures. In the New Testament, not one person is told to pray to receive salvation.
For examples of the Lord’s plan of salvation, look in the book of Acts which details the preaching of the inspired apostles. In this soul-saving book, there is no record of anyone, at any time, under any circumstance, ever being asked to pray to receive salvation. Read of the conversions in Acts for yourself: Acts 2:37-38, Acts 8:4-5, 12-13, Acts 8:35-39, Acts 9:1-19, Acts 10:33, 42-48, Acts 16:13-15, Acts 16:30-34, Acts 18:4-8, Acts 19:1-5
Paul wanted to know what to do (Acts 9:6). He was told to go into the city and wait for someone to tell him. He waited three days, praying and fasting (Acts 9:9-11). If anyone could have been saved by prayer, surely it would have been Paul. Yet what did Ananias tell Paul when he arrived? See Acts 22:16. In other words, three days of prayer had left Paul still in his sins. So what was Paul instructed to do to be saved? See Acts 9:18.
Praying to obtain salvation is an invention of man. Jesus asks a simple question in Luke 6:46. The people saved in the book of Acts were never instructed to pray the “Sinner’s Prayer.”
According to our Lord, to receive salvation, sinners are to
hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized.
Cindy