Are sinners ever saved by praying? Many Calvinists, especially the Hyper Calvinists, are highly critical of other Christians, especially Arminians, who tell sinners that if they will pray a certain prayer, such as the "sinner's prayer," that they will be saved thereby. I believe there are extremes on both sides of this question. It is wrong for evangelists to tell lost sinners that they will be saved by uttering a certain prayer, a prayer that they will give as an example. That is an extreme and makes salvation to be the result of merely uttering certain words, a kind of magical or mystical incantation. However, it is also an extreme for some to say that prayer is no means at all for salvation.
Got Questions web page in an article titled "What is the prayer of salvation" (See here) said (emphasis mine):
"Many people ask, “Is there a prayer I can pray that will guarantee my salvation?” It is important to remember that salvation is not received by reciting a prayer or uttering certain words. The Bible nowhere records a person’s receiving salvation by a prayer. Saying a prayer is not the biblical way of salvation. The biblical method of salvation is faith in Jesus Christ."
I don't think that is true. Ironically, as we will see, the same article ends up saying just the opposite. One example of a sinner being saved by prayer is in the salvation of the thief who was crucified with Christ on his right side.
"Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23: 39-43 nkjv)
If we define "prayer" as a word spoken to God or a petition to God, then the thief prayed for salvation when he said "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom." In fact, in another web article titled "What is Prayer?", Got Questions wrote (See here):
"The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God.” Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is direct address to God...We pray to make requests...When we make petitions to God, we let God know exactly where we stand and what we would like to see happen."
If we deny that people are saved by prayer, then we must say that they are saved apart from asking God to save them. Yet, in the case of the above thief, we see that he requested to be remembered.
The Got Questions authors then wrote this:
"Now, that does not mean prayer cannot be involved in receiving salvation. If you understand the gospel, believe it to be true, and have accepted Jesus as your salvation, it is good and appropriate to express that faith to God in prayer. Communicating with God through prayer can be a way to progress from accepting facts about Jesus to fully trusting in Him as Savior. Prayer can be connected to the act of placing your faith in Jesus alone for salvation."
It seems to me that by these words the authors have contradicted what they said in the previous opening citation of their article.
We know from scripture that salvation is a result of 1) calling upon the name of the Lord in faith, and 2) confessing sins to the Lord and asking for his forgiveness and salvation, and this is often done in prayer.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Rom. 10:13)
People call upon the Lord and confess their sins and their faith in Christ in prayer.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1: 9 nkjv)
This confession is often given to God in prayer.
The apostle Peter certainly did not believe that people could not find salvation through praying to God. Notice what is recorded in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles:
"18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (Acts 8: 18-22 nkjv)
Nearly all bible teachers agree that Simon (the sorcerer) was not a true believer, but was a pretender, that he became a professed follower of Jesus for ulterior motives, thinking that he could thereby obtain the powers possessed by the apostles. Further, Peter's description of Simon shows that Peter did not believe that Simon had truly been saved, saying that Simon was destined to "perish," and had "neither part nor portion in this matter," and whose "heart is not right in the sight of God," and who was "poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." But, for salvation, Peter told Simon to "repent" and to "pray to God" so that he might be forgiven.
Another example where prayer was a means of salvation is seen in these words of Christ concerning a hated "tax collector" who was under conviction of sin:
"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18: 13 nkjv)
Here we see where a convicted sinner prayed for God to "be merciful" or ("be propitious") to him a sinner and the result was that he was "justified." Of course, just saying these words without truly believing them will avail nothing. But, praying to God in genuine faith with such confession and such repentance will indeed bring salvation.
The scripture at the head of this post affirms the truth that people pray for salvation. It says: "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise."
That scripture surely proves that people are saved by prayer uttered in faith.
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