When I first prayed to God to accept the Gospel, it didn’t “work” the first time. I prayed to accept the Gospel multiple times, there were multiple attempts. I had some issues that I had to work out.
The biggest problem was my panic over hell and the prayer itself, I had to leave it up to God to accept me on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, not based on the specific prayer I was saying. (Ironically, it’s not about whether the prayer works or doesn’t work. That can also be an obstacle. It’s not about using prayer to twist God’s arm to get you out of hell. You’re submitting to Christ’s authority.)
Romans 10:9-13 said:
because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart, leading to righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, leading to salvation. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 12:12 said:
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.
By far the best option is to is to pray to God and ask Him if there are any problems with your salvation. Tell God that you submit to his authority and tell him that you believe his Son has risen from the dead. Ask Him to show you what stands in the way of accepting his Gospel.
I understand that you had a spiritual experience that led you up to this point, and you have a lot of emotions going on right now. But faith in Christ isn’t about what you feel as much as what you believe and do. Beliefs can lead to feelings (in my case, a sense of emotional clarity and direction) but that may not happen right away. It can take some time for you to notice the Holy Spirit’s changes. He gets to work right away, but your fallen mind may not be able to notice what He’s doing until a little bit later.
I’ll pray for you too.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
I pray for Bob, whom You have placed a desire to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please show him his status before You, and help him to accept the Gospel, to persevere in prayer. Father, please show him his heart. Lord Jesus, I pray for You to plead Your sacrifice on his behalf. I pray for the Holy Spirit to indwell him, that he may be baptized by the Spirit and join the family of believers. Be with this man to save him, as You have written that you desire that all should come to repentance.
And lastly, dear Lord, remind him that he is not alone, that You are with him, and the Body of Christ stands ready to welcome him in the Lord!
In Christ’s Name,
Amen
