Sinner’s Prayer For Children

When leading a child in the sinner’s prayer, keep in mind that children are very literal. Most children believe that they just have to say a few words to be saved. It is up to us, parents and teachers, to make sure that children know that the prayer they are getting ready to say expresses their belief in Jesus; and is not the same as magic words. The following gives a step by step guide for leading a child in the sinner’s prayer.

Guidance For Sinner’s Prayer for Kids

During the “Sinner’s Prayer” time, I guide the child along a bit by saying something like, “Matthew, one thing that Jesus wants to do is forgive your sins. If you want Jesus to forgive your sins, and you want Him to be in charge of your life now, then you need to tell Him so.”

Jesus Looks at Your Heart

I always tell a child that repeating words will not save him unless he means what he says. I remind him that people look at what they can see, but God looks at what is in our hearts. Then I say that I am going to pray, and ask him if he would like to pray out loud or in his heart after I pray. Then I say something like, “OK, Matthew, you can repeat after me or make up your own words.” (If the child said he wanted to pray silently I still guide in prayer out loud, and give a few moments of silence after each sentence for the child to pray silently.)

The Sinner’s Prayer For Children

Dear Jesus,
Thank you so much for Matthew. Thank you for helping him realize that he is a sinner and needs your forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross for him. I pray that you will hear Matthew now as he asks you to save him. ‘

Then I say, “Now, Matthew, you can repeat after me, or make up your own words to this prayer, and say something like this:

“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and have done bad things. I know that you sent Jesus to save me, and that He died on the cross to take the punishment for my sins. I know that Jesus rose from the dead and is coming back someday. Please forgive me of all of my sins, and come into my life and change me. Please guide me in my life and help me to follow you for the rest of my life. Thank you for saving me and taking me to heaven when I die. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Document a Child’s Salvation Date

After the sinner’s prayer I then give the child an appropriate hug. Then I say, “Welcome to God’s family!” Then I help the child write down the date on t his or her Bible to help him or her remember this time. I usually say something like, “You know, Matthew, even if you forget the date of your salvation, God will still remember it. But we are writing it down here because it is kind of nice to remember your spiritual birthday. That way if the devil whispers in your ear that you are not really saved, you just get out your Bible and point at this date and tell him to get away from you!

Visual reminders of one’s salvation experience can help prevent doubts as a child grows up. Memories grow dim, and anything that drives down a stake, so to speak, helps affirm the fact that he or she did make this decision.

Giving Children Assurance of Salvation

At this point I tell the child that God writes down the names of believers in a big book, and that nobody can erase those names but Him. That book is called the Book of Life. I say, “If you meant that prayer that you just said, then your name is in that book now. The Bible also says that there is joy in heaven when a sinner is born again. The angels are singing in heaven now because you have been saved!”