February 28th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Just over a year ago survivors of the initial blast of the Sago Mine disaster, as part of their preparation and resignation for death, recited a “sinner’s prayer.” Last week the topic came up in one of my discussions, where I was asked for my opinion but didn’t get the chance to respond. Wikipedia has an example of a Sinner’s prayer:
“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey you, and to do your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
I find the intent to be noble, but there seem to be some issues in this prayer which diverge from Biblical teaching.
The statement “my sins have separated me from you” is true but incomplete. The sins that we commit aren’t the only thing that separates us from God. We have inherited our separation from God as sinners conceive and procreate more sinners. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:5). Even if I were to keep all of God’s commandments, I would still be doomed.
The next three sentences (I am truly sorry…hears my prayer) are good, and I find it interesting that some criticize the Confession in the Divine Service yet pray this prayer. It is good to recognize sin, turn away from it, and begin anew. The Bible clearly tells us that we are to put off the “old man” and put on the “new self” (Ephesians 4:17-24). We present ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13). The Christan life is less about God helping us to stop sinning (we’re still sinner and saint) and more about God using us to do good works in Christ.
The last two sentences are man-centered, and one might say they are a bit late. To invite is to choose. Jesus tells us in John 15:16 (context) that, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” Matthew 9:13 and Luke 5:32 tell us that Christ calls sinners. St. Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 12:3 that no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. By the time the sinner says this prayer, the Holy Spirit has already been at work!
This prayer has an unintended (putting on the best construction) consequence that is troubling. Praying this prayer can indicate a denial of any work of the Holy Spirit previous to the prayer. The person may have been baptized, and it would be an understatement to say that the Holy Spirit was at work then. If the person was attending a Christian church of another denomination, and then said this prayer, there is a lot of denial going on. In this way the sinner’s prayer may be a hindrance to faith. I don’t imagine some people, especially young ones, are actively denying the work of the Holy Spirit if they pray this prayer, but the language is there. The possibility also exists for doubt: if the person doesn’t do God’s will as a result of this prayer, does he doubt the God he is praying to?
We are sinful and human. We have become experts at finding out what needs to be done and doing it. God instead works through us to deliver his promises. We know we are saved not because we have said a certain prayer, but because we are baptized. We repent and believe the Gospel. We gather together in church to have our faith increased by listening to God’s Word and the textual preaching of it. We lay our sins at the cross and listen to the pastor pronounce absolution as directed by Christ. A better sinner’s prayer? “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
March 2nd, 2007 at 10:41 am
Well, where to begin. I think that maybe part of what you aren’t thinking about is that this prayer is said at the inception or onset of a relationship with Christ, even if it is at the end of this earthly life! This is similar to the prayer that we say with our Upward kids after presenting John 3:16 to them. This is very basic and sound theology, I believe, in my Methodist ignornance 8 >! Think about it as if you were going to have fed steak or simple formula to the twins when they were born. They were not ready for steak, but needed something. This is what this prayer is about, a starting point for those who are just beginning a relationship with Christ. You are a mature Christian so parts of this may not seem “correct”, but in the context of Christian infancy , this allows a starting point. Additionally, I was taught that the ONLY thing that separates us from Christ is sin, so confessing that is the first step in getting started on a life long and eternal journey. Like I said, this is what I believe about this prayer, for whatever that is worth!
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:27 am
Linda, thank you for your response. It can be difficult to discuss these kind of things without calling someone judgmental or attacking the messenger, and I appreciate that you haven’t done that.
There are some things that would seem indeed too deep for a new Christian or an young person to understand. The older twin last week was asking me questions related to the Trinity: Is God the Father, God? Is Jesus God? Jesus is God’s Son, and he’s still God? Of course I answer such things in the affirmative, but I recognized a point where I have to admit that there are mysteries where we must simply rely on what the Bible tells us. Thankfully she isn’t questioning Biblical veracity.
It is interesting that the Bible doesn’t talk about “starting a relationship with Christ” in these terms. The writers simply delve into the description of God and what he has done for us. Romans 10:5-17 talks about the message of salvation, and especially verse 17 tells us that faith comes by hearing. Galatians 3:2 asks rhetorically if we received the Spirit by works or by hearing (and of course the answer is hearing). When you teach those kids their memory verses and they recite and believe, that is the change. The Holy Spirit not only works in those kids but in you as well, as the text is read and everyone gathers knowledge about God.