“Sinner’s Prayer” by Anne Wilson is a beautiful song about someone coming to a place of faith in Jesus and readiness to surrender your life to Him. And it’s a great model for what to pray when you’re ready to give your life to Jesus. In this Scripture & Songs themed episode, we’ll unpack these lyrics together, learn what the Bible says about the sinner’s prayer, and how you can take the first step to following Jesus.
Episode Outline and Bible Passages
PLAYLIST: Listen to “Sinner’s Prayer” and all songs featured in Everyday Walk Scripture & Songs episodes HERE
LYRICS: Read the lyrics from “Sinner’s Prayer” by Anne Wilson HERE
Scripture & Songs: “Sinner’s Prayer” by Anne Wilson
1) Here’s what you should know about praying a “sinner’s prayer.”
Key Lyric: Every saint started with a sinner’s prayer
On your faith journey, there comes a point when you hear the gospel–the message of how Jesus saves us from our sins so we can be forgiven and know Him personally. I explain that message in full and how you can respond to it in this podcast episode, please watch that as a follow up conversation to this one about the song “Sinner’s Prayer.” Once you’re heard the gospel message, you might reach a point where you believe in Jesus and His message, and you’re ready to put your faith in Jesus to save you from your sins and trust your life to Him as your Savior and Lord.
This song captures what that moment of heart change looks like and how to pray a prayer placing your faith in Jesus. God saves us by His grace (undeserved kindness) when we repent (turn from/change direction) from sin to believe in Jesus and follow Him with our lives instead.
So, saying a “sinner’s prayer” (or some Christians call it a “salvation prayer”) in and of itself doesn’t save you, and it won’t do anything if you don’t sincerely mean from your heart and understand the decision you are making to follow Jesus. But praying a prayer is a first step you can take to begin your new relationship with Jesus and become a Christian if you’re sincerely making a decision to believe, repent, and follow Him. In talking about how to be saved, Romans 10 talks about hearing the good news about Jesus, believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, and then, in response to that belief, confessing your faith in Jesus as your Savior and Lord and calling on Him to save you.
Praying a “sinner’s prayer” is one way to give verbal expression to the faith in Jesus and your decision to follow Him that’s already happening in your heart. It’s a way for you to confess your faith in Jesus and call on Him to save you from your sins. The Bible promises that all who call on the name of Jesus in truth–sincerely choosing to turn from sin to instead believe in Jesus, trust Him alone for salvation, and follow Him with your life from this day forward–will be saved.
- Romans 10:9-17
- Ephesians 2:1-10
- Psalm 145:18
2) You’re not too broken or too far gone to turn to Jesus. And if you turn to Jesus, He can change your life.
Key Lyric: Do you hear me?/Do you know me?/Can broken still be holy?
If you give the sin and brokenness of your life to Jesus, He make something beautiful with your life.
The song “Sinner’s Prayer” illustrates that as long as you have breath in your lungs you can turn to Jesus, either for the first time or you can turn back to Him. Sometimes people feel like they can’t come to Jesus and become a Christian because they think He’s mad at them and He’s going to reject them and He’s eager to punish them, but that’s not true. Jesus see you and He loves you. He wants a relationship with you. And He wants to change your life.
When we put our faith in Jesus, not only does He forgive our sins and free us from the guilt and shame we feel because of those sins, but He can also set us free from what holds us captive. He can heal what’s broken in our hearts. He can help us with the problems and struggles in our lives so we have His friendship and we’re not walking through them alone. And so we have His power and His wisdom to be able to navigate those things and even overcome them, so we’re not gripped and ruled by them anymore.
He gives us the rest and peace in our souls that we so desperately need and long for and can’t find in anything or anyone else. He alone satisfies us and gives us the fulfillment, joy, and purpose in life we’re looking for.
- Psalm 86:5
- Philippians 1:6
- Psalm 32:1-6
- Matthew 11:28-30
Want to know more about Jesus, how to become a Christian, how Jesus can change your life, or want me to lead you in praying a salvation prayer if you’re ready to become a follower of Jesus? Watch this Everyday Walk episode: What Does It Mean to Know Jesus?
Watch these Everyday Walk Podcast episodes for more on navigating faith, entertainment, and personal convictions as a Christian:
- How Christians Should Handle Personal Convictions and Gray Areas
- Can Christians Listen to “Secular” Music?
- How I Discern “Secular” Entertainment As A Christian
LET’S TALK! What stood out to you from these song lyrics and Bible discussions and why? Fun bonus question: share your favorite Anne Wilson song in the comments! Discuss this episode in the comments below.
