How would you help someone to give his/her heart to God? I recently came across an article from Carlos Whittaker that I really enjoyed. (http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/09/rewriting-the-sinners-prayer-amen-the-church-camp-curse/)
Rewriting The Sinners Prayer, Amen, & The Church Camp Curse
“Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against You and that my sins separate me from You. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my sinful past and turn to You for forgiveness. Please forgive me and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become my Savior and the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen”The sinners prayer.
It’s prayed at the end of thousands of sermons a week.
But I can’t find it in the Bible.
I find the idea. Yup.
But when people ask me when I became a Christian, I normally tell them…
“I’m still becoming one”.This is normally followed by a stutter and a quick escape from the conversation.
But then I look at my kids and freak out that they have not uttered those words yet.
Like those words have some ability to save them.
I honestly just want them to embark on a life fully devoted to the love of God, the love of neighbour, the search for God’s will, and radical, costly discipleship.
I’m freaking cursed I tell you.
I’ve been to one too many church camps.
If you bank all my “rededications” I’d have enough stock in heaven to sneak Lady Gaga in on her worst day
2 questions…
What do you think of this usefulness of this prayer and do you think salvation happens the moment one says AMEN?
If you could rewrite it to be a “better” prayer, what would it say?
I understand and agree fully with the "becoming a Christian" argument - however we need to recognize the fact that when someone gives his/her life to the Lord, they don't need complicated prayers or confessions - otherwise they are hesitant to do it at all - keep it simple and the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest - Romans 10:9 - 10 actually says it all - or are we second guessing their belief? - if so, I am afraid we are judging (Luke 6:37) - praying the sinners prayer is the start of a journey - but every journey has to start somewhere!
ReplyDeleteBossie do you want to give the sermon this Sunday? I can't agree more. Amen
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