prayers of repentance

[jlujan69]

If a person comes under conviction of his sin (through the ministry of HS, of course) and comes to realize that he's lost and needs Christ and prays and asks God's forgiveness and asks to be saved, will his prayer be ignored? I mean, if the prayer and beliefs are heartfelt--he knows and believes in his heart he's a sinner and desires to live for God and expresses this in a prayer, will God hear him? I'm wondering what's the Lutherans' take on this is. Thanks for any information.

 

[LuxPerpetua]

I am confused on what you are asking because why wouldn't God hear his prayer? It would be against Scripture to suggest otherwise. The Psalms offer oodles of examples of sinners crying out to God.

 

[jlujan69]

The reason I ask is that I've heard some say that this type of prayer is known as the "sinner's prayer", and as such, is unbiblical. In other words, even this prayer in itself is a "work" and we're saved by faith and not works. I was wondering if those who object to the "sinner's prayer" object only if it's presented as the means in itself to salvation apart from faith in Christ (which would be unbiblical) or if the sinner's prayer is rejected under any circumstances-(with or without accompanying belief in Christ). To put it another way, will God save someone who believes in his heart that he's a sinner and that Jesus Christ is his only hope and who then asks God's forgiveness and to save him?

 

[Protoevangel]

The reason I ask is that I've heard some say that this type of prayer is known as the "sinner's prayer", and as such, is unbiblical. In other words, even this prayer in itself is a "work" and we're saved by faith and not works. I was wondering if those who object to the "sinner's prayer" object only if it's presented as the means in itself to salvation apart from faith in Christ (which would be unbiblical) or if the sinner's prayer is rejected under any circumstances-(with or without accompanying belief in Christ). To put it another way, will God save someone who believes in his heart that he's a sinner and that Jesus Christ is his only hope and who then asks God's forgiveness and to save him?

The problem is when the prayer becomes a "means" of salvation. Too often I hear someone say, "say this prayer, and if you mean it, you will be saved." Well, how much does that person have to mean it? If he means it then, and forgets it later, was it still valid? If salvation were left up to how much we <insert anything>, then we would all be hopelessly lost.

A prayer of repentance is certianly not a bad thing, it is just that salvation does not depend on any work of man, prayer or otherwise.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[LuxPerpetua]

It seems that in the case you mention that faith precedes works (insert "sinner's prayer" here for "work"). If the person just repeated the prayer without any faith behind the words then the prayer would be useless because there is no faith present. It is the faith given by God that saves, and good works are the fruit of faith, but good works in and of themselves are powerless to save.

 

[jlujan69]

I agree with what you both said. The faith he has has to come from God for it to be saving faith. If it comes from any other source, then the prayer he offered would be useless. Would it be correct to state that what you guys believe is that if a person simply believes (with God-given faith) in the finished work of Jesus, then he's already saved and doesn't need to actually confess this to God?

 

[Protoevangel]

I agree with what you both said. The faith he has has to come from God for it to be saving faith. If it comes from any other source, then the prayer he offered would be useless. Would it be correct to state that what you guys believe is that if a person simply believes (with God-given faith) in the finished work of Jesus, then he's already saved and doesn't need to actually confess this to God?

Not necessarily. Since true confession is impossible without a God-given faith, then it is only with this God-given faith that one can, and must confess and repent.

in spiritual and divine things the intellect, heart, and will of the unregenerate man are utterly unable, by their own natural powers, to understand, believe, accept, think, will, begin, effect, do, work, or concur in working anything, but they are entirely dead to what is good, and corrupt, so that in man's nature since the Fall, before regeneration, there is not the least spark of spiritual power remaining, nor present, by which, of himself, he can prepare himself for God's grace, or accept the offered grace, nor be capable of it for and of himself, or apply or accommodate himself thereto, or by his own powers be able of himself, as of himself, to aid, do, work, or concur in working anything towards his conversion, either wholly, or half, or in any, even the least or most inconsiderable part; but that he is the servant [and slave] of sin, John 8, 34, and a captive of the devil, by whom he is moved, Eph. 2, 2; 2 Tim. 2, 26. Hence the natural free will according to its perverted disposition and nature is strong and active only with respect to what is displeasing and contrary to God.

Now, repentance consists properly of these two parts: One is contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of the Gospel, or of absolution, and believes that for Christ's sake, sins are forgiven, comforts the conscience, and delivers it from terrors. Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruits of repentance.

Does this help? Or does it confuse matters even more?

 

[jlujan69]

Dan, both of your posts were helpful. What I find interesting is that a sinner's prayer (based on genuine belief) does follow the pattern you posted in the Augsburg Confession--conviction of one's sinfulness (with godly sorrow), faith (God-given) in Christ, and finally the fruit (work)-in this case an actual confession to God. The confession cannot precede contrition and faith and still be from God. Without a doubt, it's a product of the first two. If a person agrees to do a sinner's prayer, the assumption is that he truly believes his sinfulness and Christ's atonement for his sins. If this is true, then it could be said that his first "work" would be to confess this to the Lord. This may not be a perfectly concise way of expressing it. In my opinion, however, when it comes to the "sinner's prayer", it's possible to over-theologize (ok, I know that's not an actual word) and miss the whole point of it.

 

[Protoevangel]

When you put it like that, in a way, we do say a sinner's prayer. We just call it Confession and Absolution.

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[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=+2]Confession[/size]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]How Christians should be taught to confess.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What is confession?
Confession has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What sins should we confess?
Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord's Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Which are these?
Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments: Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker? Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome? Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds? Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything, or done any harm?[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A Short Form of Confession [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][Luther intended the following form to serve as an example of private confession.] [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The penitent says: [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Dear confessor, I ask you please to hear my confession and to pronounce forgiveness in order to fulfill God's will. [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I, a poor sinner, plead guilty before God of all sins. In particular I confess before you that as a servant, maid, etc., I, sad to say, serve my master unfaithfully, for in this and that I have not done what I was told to do. I have made him angry and caused him to curse. I have been negligent and allowed damage to be done. I have also been offensive in words and deeds. I have quarreled with my peers. I have grumbled about the lady of the house and cursed her. I am sorry for all of this and I ask for grace. I want to do better. [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A master or lady of the house may say: [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In particular I confess before you that I have not faithfully guided my children, servants, and wife to the glory of God. I have cursed. I have set a bad example by indecent words and deeds. I have hurt my neighbor and spoken evil of him. I have overcharged, sold inferior merchandise, and given less than was paid for. [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][Let the penitent confess whatever else he has done against God's commandments and his own position]. [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If, however, someone does not find himself burdened with these or greater sins, he should not trouble himself or search for or invent other sins, and thereby make confession a torture. Instead, he should mention one or two that he knows: In particular I confess that I have cursed; I have used improper words; I have neglected this or that, etc. Let that be enough. But if you know of none at all (which hardly seems possible), then mention none in particular, but receive the forgiveness upon the general confession which you make to God before the confessor. [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Then the confessor shall say: [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God be merciful to you and strengthen your faith. Amen. [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Furthermore: [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Do you believe that my forgiveness is God's forgiveness? Yes, dear confessor. [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Then let him say: [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Let it be done for you as you believe. And I, by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive you your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in peace. [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A confessor will know additional passages with which to comfort and to strengthen the faith of those who have great burdens of conscience or are sorrowful and distressed. [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This is intended only as a general form of confession. [/font]

[/font]

 

[Phoebe]

The thing to remember is that the prayer is not what saves us. It is Christ and Him crucified.