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Alan N Carla Smith | PentecostalTheology.com
Theological speaking… is there a difference in:
~ The sinners prayer
~ The prayer of repentance
Charles Page [02/28/2016 9:38 PM]
…forgive us our trespasses as we forgive thoes who trespass against us Our Lord’s prayer for us!
Tom Steele [02/29/2016 8:14 AM]
Technically speaking, there is no evidence of any type of “prayer” for conversion being used anywhere in Scripture for new converts. The idea is not entirely bad, but is often misleading. A “sinner’s prayer” or “prayer of repentance”, whether the same thing or two different types of prayer, are generally linked to conversion, and have led to the belief that once the prayer has been prayed, salvation has taken place. This, of course, leads heavily to eternal security beliefs that have many misled into thinking that they are saved merely because they prayed a prayer one time in their life, even though they may not have lived a changed life in any way.
Used properly, a “sinner’s prayer” may be an effective tool even still today, in the midst of generations of abuse, to help people understand the commitment they are making to God and the covenant they are entering into, but there really is no requirement to use a “prayer” when leading someone in conversion.
I think a big part of the problem is that many have come to the conclusion that repentance is within the act of praying a “sinner’s prayer” or a “prayer of repentance” which, in way too many cases, is a prayer of apology, and often not even a sincere apology. At this point, how does such a prayer become any different than a Catholic confessional? In one case, a person goes to tell their sins to a priest once a week, and in the other a person prays to “apologize” to God whenever they realize they “did something wrong”.
Repentance does not require a prayer, and true repentance has nothing to do with praying a prayer. Repentance is a complete change of mind, heart, and direction. This can be accomplished with or without any type of specific formulated prayer, whether it is called a “sinner’s prayer” a “prayer of repentance” or anything else.
Alan N Carla Smith [02/29/2016 2:10 PM]
Could it be said that..
sinner’s prayer~asking Jesus to be your Savior.
prayer of repentance~an actual prayer or a life of repentance, knowing that we aren’t perfect.
Louise Cummings
I believe at some point , if it’s praying the sinners prayer or the prayer of repentance. We have to repent of our trespasses and sins to be born again. I think the Lord’s Prayer when the disciples wanted Jesus to teach them how to pray like John taught His disciples to pray. I think it’s good to use in our prayers every day. Just the blessing in it
Varnel Watson
RichardAnna Boyce How many have gone full week without repentance? http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/week-without-repentance/
Darlene Taylor
Someone needs to remove this nonsense off of this site! It’s trash! I’m seeing this guy with all Pentecostal postings.
Haley Valencia
Darlene Taylor rules say all are welcome. Hopefully the Lord will use this group to teach him truth. Praying the Lord grants Troy understanding and knowledge.
Darlene Taylor
You are correct Haley Valencia I wasn’t aware of the rules in this site. Absolutely prayers that our Lord will grant him eyes to see and heart to understand His truth. Thank you for this kind reminder. ?
Varnel Watson
Ive been looking into this one without much luck Danny Kircharr
Danny Kircharr
Troy Day you won’t find the sinners prayer or a specific prayer of repentance anywhere at all in Scripture. Prayer is modeled for us, not scripted out
Varnel Watson
Danny Kircharr now you start sounding like RichardAnna Boyce who claims he and Trump need no repentance
Danny Kircharr
Troy Day if a man breathes, he needs repentance
Leonida Birse
The true sinner’s prayer is found in Luke 18:13: “God, be merciful to me..a sinner”