The sinner’s prayer is a simple prayer in which a person turns to God, admits their sin, asks for forgiveness, and trusts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It is not a magic formula, and praying it does not save anyone by itself. What saves a person is God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus — His death for our sins and His bodily resurrection. The prayer is simply the honest words of a heart that is doing what the Bible calls repentance and faith: turning from sin and turning to God. Anyone can pray it, anywhere, at any moment. You do not need special language, a church building, or a pastor present. You need only to mean it.
If you are reading this because you are in crisis — thinking about suicide or self-harm, or facing abuse — please reach out right now. In the United States and Canada call or text 988. In the United Kingdom and Ireland call Samaritans on 116 123. In Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Anywhere else, visit findahelpline.com or call your local emergency number. You are not alone, and help is available.
What exactly is the sinner’s prayer?
The sinner’s prayer is a short prayer that expresses repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. A common version goes something like this: God, I admit that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and put my trust in Him. Forgive me, save me, and lead me. Amen. The exact words are not what matter. What matters is whether the heart is honest before God.
The Bible describes prayer as conversation with God — the soul speaking directly to Him. The Westminster Shorter Catechism defines prayer as an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies. That definition fits the sinner’s prayer well: it is confession of sin, a plea for mercy, and trust in Christ.
The Bible gives us a picture of this kind of prayer in the parable Jesus told about two men praying in the temple. One man was proud; the other stood far off and would not even lift his eyes to heaven. He beat his breast and said:
God, have mercy on me, a sinner. — Luke 18:13 (BSB)
Jesus said that man went home justified, not the proud one. That is the heart of the sinner’s prayer.
Does the Bible actually teach a sinner’s prayer?
The Bible does not record a single, fixed prayer that everyone must repeat word for word. But it does teach the two things the sinner’s prayer expresses: repentance and faith.
Repentance means agreeing with God about your sin and turning from it. In Psalm 51, David prays after his sin with Bathsheba:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. — Psalm 51:1-2 (BSB)
David also says:
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. — Psalm 51:17 (BSB)
Faith means trusting Jesus as the one who paid for sin. The apostle Paul wrote:
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. — Romans 10:9 (BSB)
And he added:
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. — Romans 10:13 (BSB)
The Bible also tells us plainly that salvation is not earned:
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. — Ephesians 2:8-9 (BSB)
So the sinner’s prayer is not a work that earns salvation. It is the voice of faith and repentance.
How do I pray the sinner’s prayer?
You can pray it right now, silently or out loud. Here is a simple way to put it into words:
- Address God honestly. God or Father is enough. You are coming to a real person, not a formula.
- Admit your sin. Tell God the truth about yourself. You do not need to list every sin; He already knows. A simple admission that you have sinned against Him is enough.
- Ask for forgiveness. Ask because of Jesus, not because of anything you have done.
- Put your trust in Jesus. Say that you believe He died for your sins and rose again, and that you are relying on Him alone.
- Turn from sin. Tell God you want to follow Him, not your old way of life.
- Ask Him to lead you. Ask for His Spirit to help you live for Him.
A sample prayer: God, I am a sinner. I have broken Your law and I cannot save myself. I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sin and trust Him as my Savior and Lord. Forgive me, cleanse me, and lead me by Your Spirit. Amen.
If you pray this and mean it, you are not doing something strange or new. You are doing what people have done throughout the Bible: calling on the Lord.
What if I do not feel anything after praying?
Feelings are not the foundation of your salvation. God’s promise is. Jesus said:
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. — Matthew 7:7-8 (BSB)
Notice that Jesus ties the promise to asking, seeking, and knocking — not to a feeling. Many people feel great peace right away. Others feel nothing unusual at first and only later notice a change in their desires. Either way, your standing with God rests on what Jesus has done, not on your emotions.
What should you do next? Read the Bible, especially the Gospel of John, to learn who Jesus is. Pray regularly, even in short, simple words. Find a local church where the Bible is taught and where believers can help you grow. Tell someone you trust about your decision. And remember:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9 (BSB)
Is praying the sinner’s prayer enough to be saved?
The prayer itself does not save you. Jesus saves you. The prayer is the expression of a heart that is turning to Him. If you pray the words without meaning them, nothing changes. If you mean them, you are doing what the Bible calls repentance and faith.
Some people worry that they might pray it wrong or not feel sorry enough. But God is not looking for perfect words. He is looking for a humble heart. The Bible says:
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away. — Acts 3:19 (BSB)
And it says:
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. — Acts 2:21 (BSB)
Jesus Himself said:
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. — John 14:6 (BSB)
That is why the sinner’s prayer is prayed in Jesus’ name and not in our own. We come to God through Him.
If you have prayed this prayer, do not keep it to yourself. Talk with a pastor or a mature believer. Join a local church. Keep reading Scripture. And keep praying — not to earn anything, but because you now belong to the One who saved you.
If you are still in crisis, please reach out again. In the United States and Canada call or text 988. In the United Kingdom and Ireland call Samaritans on 116 123. In Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Anywhere else, visit findahelpline.com or call your local emergency number.
Common questions
Do I have to pray the sinner’s prayer to be saved?
No. Salvation comes by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by repeating any particular words. The sinner’s prayer is one way to express repentance and faith, but a person can be saved without ever praying those exact words. What matters is turning from sin and trusting Christ.
Can I pray the sinner’s prayer more than once?
Yes. If you have prayed it before and later doubt or want to renew your commitment, you can pray again. God is not annoyed by honest returning. The Bible encourages us to confess our sins and to keep coming to God through Christ.
What should I do after praying the sinner’s prayer?
Read the Bible, especially the Gospel of John, to learn more about Jesus. Pray regularly. Find a local church where the Bible is taught and where you can grow with other believers. Tell someone you trust about your decision so they can encourage you.
What if I do not feel forgiven after praying?
Feelings come and go, but God’s promise does not. He says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us. Trust His Word more than your feelings, and talk with a pastor or trusted believer who can help you understand assurance.