A SINNER'S PRAYER

Scripture is its own best commentary. For this reason, we have referred to many scriptures in our "Sinner's Prayer" and not just one as the usual little prayer found on the back of tracts often do. We urge you to read all the references given and if you do as the scriptures lead you, you will no longer be a sinner, but will be truly a child of God.

PRAYER OF PROMISE

O LORD

As the thief on the cross begged to be remembered when you came to your throne, we too beg to be remembered. Even he received the promise to be with you in paradise. (Luke 23:43).

We praise you for the wonder of your love that you were willing to send Jesus to earth knowing what would happen. (John 3:16) Mankind can not understand that kind of love, a love that encompasses all sinners. (Romans 5:8) We know that all have sinned and fall short. (Romans 3:23) We know that Adam was created perfect after your own likeness; so all begin life perfectly sinless. It is through lust that we sin. Lead us to understand that because we have become sinners we are lost. (Romans 6:23) Help us to see that we must be freed from sin to become your own. Until we see this, we will not seek you.

Forgive us Lord that we may make a new beginning. Even as Jesus told Nicodemus, we shall not even see the kingdom of God unless we are born again. (John 3:3) He added that we must be born of water and of the Spirit if we would enter the kingdom. (John 3:5) Help us to see ourselves as we really are, repulsive to all that is good. Open our eyes that we may have faith to obey Him in baptism (Romans 6:4) "being buried with him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead ... even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Awaken in our hearts the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16, 18) that we may repent of our evil ways turning back to God even as the prodigal son turned back to his loving and forgiving father. (Luke 15:11-24) Let us awaken and ask as did the 3000 at Pentecost who cried out "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37) Peter answered their question, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38) Help us, like the Ethiopian to ask, "Here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" (Acts 8:36-39) Help us to realize that there is nothing to stop us but the hardness of our own hearts.

We can be born again, forgiven, and given a new start in life as spiritual babes in Christ. We can be born of water and the Spirit. Our fellowship with God can be restored.

Because of Christ we can live for ever in his kingdom. Help us to enter into the kingdom, faithfully gathering at the Table of Communion. (Matthew 26:26-29) One day, perhaps soon, the Lord is returning for his church. Because of Christ and the Spirit, we know that we can have new life in him. Because he lives, we too can live. We know that no man will come unto the Father but by him. (John 14:6).

In Jesus' name

AMEN