If you ask a person who believes this is true: “Where does the Bible teach that simply praying saves someone?”—they may respond with Luke 18:9-14.
At least a couple of points need to be made…
- Jesus is teaching a parable in Luke 18:9-14.
- Where do we see any person just offering a prayer being saved?
- Acts 2—the day the gospel began to be preached
- Acts 8:38—the eunuch was not instructed to just pray for his salvation
- Acts 9, 22, 24—the conversion of Saul
- Acts 10, 11—the conversion of Cornelius
- Acts 16:13—Lydia and other women were down by the river praying—why were they not saved by praying?
- Acts 16:33, 34—the keeper of the prison and his family were immediately baptized and afterwards rejoiced
Where does the Bible record the prayer that will save us?
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (James 5:16-18).
Will prayer alone save us?
- Hear… “Faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17)
- Believe… “Believe on the Lord Jesus” (Acts 17:31)
- Repent… “Repent” (Acts 2:38)
- Confess… “Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus” (Romans 10:9)
- Be Baptized… “For the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38)
- Remain Faithful… “Be faithful until death” (Revelation 2:10)
We must do what the Bible says…