Doug McHone (@CoffeeSwirls)

I recited one version or another of the sinner's prayer from the age of four to my early teens. I did it many times over, always hoping that each time would be the time that I was able to apply enough effort into it for it to really stick. I came to saving faith in my 30th year, while reading the Bible in a project intended to get my dad to stop talking religion to me. I finished the project with a real pivot in my motivations during the reading of Judges, of all books, When the book of Revelation was completed, I set my Bible down and realized that there is absolutely NO example of any prayer of salvation anywhere in the Bible. There are no sinner's prayers examples at all. There is only "repent and believe." The power of salvation is not found in any person. It is only found in God. Jonah 2:9 ESV But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” Asking Jesus into your heart or reciting a prayer after someone is not how one is saved. It also DOES NOT DISQUALIFY one from being saved. If you were truly saved and one of these methods was utilized, that method is not the reason you are saved. Decisional regeneration is heresy.