But tonight I was reading to my four-year-old her nightly devotion before bed from her pink Bob and Larry devotional book. As I’m reading along the book starts talking about “accepting Jesus” and of course, I think quickly, and change it to something like “trust Jesus” or cling to him.

I just have a real problem with the whole concept of how we need to “accept” Jesus as our “personal” Lord and Savior.

None of this has anything to do with what  the Scriptures teach us.

First of all, Jesus is not our “personal” Lord and Savior … as if you were a Genie in a bottle … He is the God of heaven and the King of the universe.

Just like in Matthew 9:27-29 when Jesus healed the blind men. He didn’t ask, “Do you accept me as your personal Lord and Savior?”

Jesus said. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

And when they said, “yes Lord.” He didn’t say, “OK, now repeat this ridiculous prayer after me.”

Mark 16:14 is clear as can be.

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Scripture teaches us that even our belief in God is a gift given to us from God and also that “faith comes from hearing the word of God.”

If only God can give faith, there is no need to lead someone through a prayer that doesn’t really mean anything to them anyway. When God gives faith and a person reaches out to Jesus like someone who is drowning gasping for air …salvation takes place and the angels of heaven rejoice.

When they reach that point their heart will cry out to God.

This can happen within the heart without a word ever being said. (Please note that I do believe a public confession of faith is necessary and will take place if a true conversion has happened.)

I wonder how many people have been turned away and turned off because of aggressive Bible thumpers trying to sell “accept Jesus and say this prayer” when a few simple words pointing them to the cross without any other expectation might have caused them to look in his direction in an act of faith and say “help me Jesus” which is the most perfect prayer that I can imagine.

It is as if Christians in their desire to measure their progress in “saving souls” came up with this as a means to keep score. When someone says the prayer they can mark down another soul saved.

This is crap pure and simple. I have seen it myself. Some Christians are aggressive about pressuring people to say this prayer as if once they do the sinner will be saved.

Over and over again in scripture references Jesus taught that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. The Amplified Bible translates believes as “who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him.” We also know that “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44)

Paul also teaches in Romans that only God can give faith. It is a gift from God and not a decision we can make.

My point is that when a person is convicted of sin and ready to reach out to Jesus their heart will cry out for him whether they say those words we commonly call the Sinner Prayer or not. They will reach out for Jesus and God will fill their heart with faith, love and hope and salvation will take place. This is not to say that we should not preach the Word of God. By all means we should. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God but there is no sense in trying to talk someone into converting and saying a prayer their hear does not believe. It is a waste of time and a lie.

Anyone reading this who was searching for a sinner’s prayer because you are desperate for help from God then know this. He is right there where you are. Call out to Jesus and He will reach down from heaven and love you right now. There is nothing more to it than that.

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