Prayer of Salvation
A prayer of salvation — sometimes called the sinner's prayer — is how a person tells God they are trusting Jesus Christ for forgiveness and new life, often for the first time. It is not a magic formula; Scripture is clear that salvation comes through genuine faith, not through reciting exact words (Romans 10:9-10). But putting that faith into words helps make the moment real and specific, the way saying "I do" makes a commitment concrete.
This page is different from our forgiveness and repentance prayers, which are for confessing ongoing sin as a believer — this one is for the decisive moment of receiving Christ for the first time, or for renewing that commitment if you have drifted. You'll find a short prayer to pray right now, a longer version that walks through each part, an assurance prayer for afterward, and answers to the most common questions people have about what this prayer actually does and doesn't do.
A Short Prayer of Salvation
God, I know I have sinned and cannot save myself. I believe Jesus died for my sin and rose again. I turn from my sin and put my trust in Him alone. Jesus, come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Amen.
A Longer Prayer of Salvation
Father, I come to You knowing I have fallen short — in what I've done, and in what I've failed to do. I can't fix that on my own, and I stop trying to. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died on the cross to pay for my sin, and that You raised Him from the dead. Right now, I turn away from going my own way, and I put my whole trust in Jesus — not in my effort, my history, or my performance. Jesus, be my Savior and my Lord. Thank You for making me new. Amen.
A Prayer for Someone Renewing Their Faith
Lord, it's been a long time since I meant this the way I mean it now. I've drifted, and some days I've barely thought of You at all. I come back today — not because I've earned my way back, but because You never stopped being willing to receive me. Renew what has grown cold. I am Yours again, fully. Amen.
A Prayer of Assurance After Salvation
Father, I have put my trust in Jesus, and Your Word says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. I hold onto that promise today, not my own feelings about whether it "worked." Thank You that this is not something I have to re-earn every day. I am Yours. Amen.
A Prayer for Someone Praying This for a Friend
God, I'm praying for [name], that they would come to know You the way I have. Soften whatever is hard in their heart, and put someone or something in their path that makes the truth about Jesus impossible to ignore. I trust You to do the part only You can do. Amen.
Scripture to pray
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.— Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.— Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.— John 3:16 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Frequently asked questions
What is the prayer of salvation (sinner's prayer)?
It is a prayer in which a person confesses their need for forgiveness, believes that Jesus died and rose again for them, and commits to trusting Him as Savior and Lord. It puts into words the faith described in Romans 10:9-10 — believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth.
Do I have to say the exact words to be saved?
No. There is no single required wording anywhere in Scripture. What matters is genuine belief and turning to Christ (Romans 10:9-10); the words on this page are a template to help you express that honestly, not a formula that works only if said perfectly.
What happens after I pray a prayer of salvation?
The Bible describes it as becoming a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17) — a real, immediate change in your standing with God, even if feelings take time to catch up. Practical next steps most churches recommend: tell someone, find a Bible-teaching church, start reading Scripture, and begin praying regularly.
Can I pray this prayer more than once?
Yes — many people pray it again when renewing a faith that had gone cold, or because they want to be certain they meant it the first time. Praying it again doesn't undo a previous genuine commitment; it's often simply a fresh, sincere expression of ongoing faith.
How is this different from a prayer of repentance for a believer?
This prayer is for the decisive moment of trusting Christ for salvation for the first time (or renewing that trust). Our prayer of repentance and prayer for forgiveness of sins are for believers confessing specific ongoing sin — different moment, same God, same grace.
What if I am not sure I truly believe?
Bring that honestly to God — "God, I want to believe this, and I'm not fully sure yet; help my unbelief" is itself a real prayer (see Mark 9:24). Faith does not need to be perfect or doubt-free to be genuine; it needs to be honestly placed in Christ.
Is salvation something I earn by praying this once?
No — Ephesians 2:8-9 is explicit that salvation is a gift received through faith, "not a result of works, so that no one may boast." The prayer expresses faith; it does not itself earn anything.
Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?
Salvation itself is received by faith alone — Ephesians 2:8-9 could not be clearer that it is "the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Good works still matter, but as the natural fruit of a saved life, not the price of admission: James 2:17 says faith without any accompanying works is dead, meaning real faith always produces a changed life, not that works earn salvation alongside it. Think of it this way — the works are the evidence that faith is real, not a second payment God is waiting on.