Have you ever had a person ask you if you prayed a sinners prayer? Are you a Catholic wondering if you should pray a sinner's prayer? Catholic's have been saying a form of a sinners prayer for years. It's call "The Act of Contrition" Here's the one I learned as a young person, they vary somewhat, (as do most non-denominational sinner's prayers do,) but they all have the same parts. You are repenting of sin and putting God first in your life as Lord God savior of the world. Heartfelt sorrow for your sins; acknowledge they are a way to death. Turning from your sin, acknowledging God is answer to what your looking for (a savior & Lord) and forgiveness from God, His grace, and for him to direct your life.
Oh my God, I am hearty sorry for having offended you, I detest all my sins because of your just punishment. But most of all because they offend you my God who art all good, deserving all of my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to sin no more (turn from sin) and to avoid the near occasion to sin, (temptation.) Live in me Through Jesus Christ Amen.
The following is quoted from Pillar of Fire Pillar of Truth (a Catholic Answers booklet www.catholic.com) ...
What do you have to do to be saved
...the promise of eternal life is a gift, freely offered to us by God - it is not something we need to "earn." Jesus is the mediator who bridged the gap of sin that separates us from God (1 Tim 2:5); he bridged it by dying for us. He has chosen to make us partners in the plan of salvation (1 Corn 3:9.)
The Catholic Church teaches what the apostles taught and what the Bible teaches: We are saved by grace alone, but not by faith alone (which is what "Bible Christians" teach, see Jas. 2:24). When we first come to God and are justified (that is, enter a right relationship with God), nothing preceding justification, whether faith or good works, earns grace. But then God plants his love in our hearts, and we must live out our faith by doing acts of love (Gal 6:2).
Even though only God's grace enables us to love others, these acts of love please him, and he promises to reward them with eternal life (Rom 2:6-7, Gal 6:6-10). Thus good works are meritorious. When we first come to God in faith, we have nothing in our hands to offer him. Then he gives us grace to obey his commandments in love, and he rewards us with salvation when we offer these acts of love back to him (Matt. 25:34-40).
Jesus said it is not enough to have faith in him; we also must obey his commandments. "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' but do not do the things I command?" (Luke6:46, Matt 7:21-23, 19:16-21). We cannot "earn" our salvation through good works (Eph 2:8-9, Rom 9:16), but our faith in Christ puts us in a special grace-filled relationship with God so that our obedience and love, combined with our faith, will be rewarded with eternal life...
To purchase this booklet, Pillar of Fire Pillar of Truth put out by Catholic Answers and
learn more about Catholic Church teachings on salvation and redemption
go to their website www.catholic.com
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