I've introduced my agnostic friend into Christianity. Our amazing God has really touched his heart. Billy's been going to church with me for a while now, and he wants to get saved and ask Jesus into his life. He's new to all of this... when I sit down and say this prayer with him, what exactly should I say/have him say?
2007-02-10 14:32:46 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Grant me the wisdom to seek the truth in the universe, and not take someone's word for it.
Let me not dismiss that which I am not sufficiently educated to understand.
Let me consider that god might really not exist, and to dedicate my life to worship, is a waste when I may have been able to otherwise contribute something useful to mankind, like a cure to a disease, a clean, renewable energy source, or a plan for peace in the world, since obviously, god ain't cutting it.
2007-02-10 14:36:18 · answer #1 · answered by Amanda H 6 · 2⤊ 6⤋
Well, you got the first part right, God has done the work, but there is no need to back up and authorize God's grace and mercy.
OK, what do saved people do when their eyes are opened and they see where they were headed save for God's action in their lives? I'd think there would be a sudden realization of what sin would have done to them if not for divine intervention. And maybe a "brethren, what shall we do?" out of Acts 2:37. What did Peter say? Simple. Repent. Be baptized. No magic formula, a person saved will probably want to do this anyway, yes? Baptism is a sign and a seal, pointing to forgiveness of sins, and an ingrafting into Christ, partaking in all His blessings. They will want this as a new Christian!
But please remember, this person's faith was a gift from God, not sales by you, not receipt by the one being saved. All you both get to do is see grace at work.
EDIT: One more thing, thought I'd give you a little extra input as to what the Heidelberg catechism considers a saving faith.
Q.2, "what must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?" A. Three things: first, how great my sin and misery are; second, how I am set free from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to thank God for such deliverance.
2007-02-13 21:17:44 · answer #2 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some verses you may want to use before you lead your friend in the so called SINNERS PRAYER:
God Loves You: John 3:16
All Are Sinners: Rom 3:23
God's Remedy For Sin: Rom. 6:23 , John 1:12, I Cor. 15: 3-4
All May Be Saved Now: Rev3:20 (a), Rom 10:13
The exact words that your friend uses are not aso important as the fact your friend sincerely means what he says. The words might be something like this. DEAR GOD I KNOW I AM A SINNER. I ASK YOU TO FORGIVE ME. I ACCEPT THE SUFFERING AND DEATH OF YOUR DEAR SON JESUS AS PAYMENT FOR MY SINS. I KNOW HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD. I PRAY THAT HE WILL NOW LIVE THROUGH ME THAT I MAY SERVE HIM THE REST OF MY LIFE. AMEN
Be sure to give your friend assurance of his salvation once he has prayed this prayer. This is a very important step.
Assurance As A Believer: Rom 10:9 , John 5:24, John 20:31
You may not want to use all the verses I suggested.
I suggest you print these verses out for yourself and your friend. As you give him this paper you might also suggest that he sign this paper for his own keeping.
MY DECISION TO RECEIVE CHRIST AS MY SAVIOUR
Confessing to God that I am a sinner , and believing the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross and was raised for my justification. I do now receive and confess him as my personal saviour.
Name ----------------------------------------- Date--------------------
Congratulations you have now made the most imortant decision in your life.
You and your friend may want to share the good news with your pastor and others.
2007-02-10 23:39:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First take him to scripture - the Romans road is excellent.
John 3:16
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23a
Romans 5:8
Romans 6:23b
Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:13
Rev. 3:20
Then have him simply say "Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins, come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. Thank you for giving me eternal life. In Jesus Name. Amen"
2007-02-10 22:42:41 · answer #4 · answered by wd 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Forget the prayer and get him baptized with water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Anyone who is able to be baptized but thinks they can get by with a simple prayer is making a big mistake.
You don't take any shortcuts, or any dubious chances, with salvation.
2007-02-11 01:49:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How wonderful. It's not so much the words, it's the attitude of the heart. But there needs to be the acknowledgment that he has sinned, that he repents of that sin, that he believes Jesus is God's son who died on a cross for his sins, and he accepts the Lord as his savior.
I pray that this is the beginning of his close walk with Jesus, his Lord and Savior. God bless you both.
2007-02-10 22:42:11 · answer #6 · answered by Esther 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My friend, the fact that you don't know concerns me. There is no special prayer or special words that save you. It's the condition of your heart. All he has to do is acknowledge he is a sinner, Jesus Christ, the son of God died to pay the penalty for that sin, believe that Christ rose again and conquered death, and that only through faith in Him can he be saved. If you yourself haven't come to know to know that for yourself, I pray that you do.
2007-02-10 22:40:54 · answer #7 · answered by the dude 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no specific prayer is required.
just talk to God.
Jimmy need only ask Jesus to come into his heart, to forgive him of his sins and tell Jesus that he will make Him Lord and Savior in his life.....
if that is asked of Jesus Christ with a contrite
heart, Jimmy will be saved at that moment.
God bless you and Jimmy!
2007-02-10 22:43:40 · answer #8 · answered by Chef Bob 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Prayer is about listening as well as talking. He should prey silently and listen to the holy spirit guide him. Then he will know what to say out loud.
He will know that Jesus has paid the price of his sins and all he needs to do is acknowledge that
2007-02-10 22:38:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
He doesn't have to say anything special... there is nothing magical about the prayer... it isn't the prayer that saves you anyway... just have him talk to God and have him tell God that he understands the plan of salvation and that he is putting his faith in God to save him and clean him of his sins.
2007-02-10 22:40:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. I believe you died for me. I believe that you resurrected and saved me from my sins. I accept you into my heart, right now, and repent from my old ways. I want to live my life for you.
Remind him that he must truly want to be saved. It's a condition of the heart, not just what you say.
2007-02-10 22:39:37 · answer #11 · answered by Doug 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋