What is the sinner’s prayer?

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What’s Your Question, for June 27

The Bible teaches that sinners prayed. Saul of Tarsus prayed for three days (Acts 9:9-11), but he was not saved by prayer. Cornelius was a praying man (Acts 10:1,2), but he was not saved by prayer (Acts 11:14). The "sinner’s prayer for forgiveness of sins" did not originate in the Bible. Saul was told to "arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins" (Acts 22:16). Cornelius was "commanded to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48). Baptism in the name of the Lord is part of the new birth (Jn. 3:5) It is in water (Acts 10:47), and unto the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Praying for the remission of sins is a blessing of being a child of God, not the means of becoming one (1 Jn. 1:9).