I’m Duane Matz and
welcome to Today’s Living Word.
The sinners prayer. Of course the
original sinner’s prayer was spoken by the publican in the temple, when he was
so overcome by his sin that he couldn’t even look up, but rather beat his breast
and aid, “have mercy on me, a sinner.” Hard to top that one1
Some of you hearing or reading this
blog have likely said another sinner’s prayer at a time when you were broken by
your sin, and understood the gospel for the first time. It was really made
popular during the crusade years of evangelist Billy Graham. Billy would thunder
God’s Law from the pulpit and then extend the sweet offer of forgiveness
through the Gospel, then lead willing hearts to say the sinners prayer, which
went something like this: “Dear Lord,
I
admit that I am a sinner and have done many things that don’t please you. I
have lived my life for myself only. I am sorry, and I repent. I ask you to
forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. You did
what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control
of my life; I give it to you. From this day forward, help me to live every day
for you and in a way that pleases you. I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I
will spend all eternity with you. Amen. When spoken from the heart, this is a beautiful
sentiment.
This kind of praying was kind of foreign to us Lutherans,
but we had our own version of the sinners prayer which we sang in church every
Sunday after the pastor had finished his sermon. If the sermon was rightly
preached, the Law would be thundered and the sweet Gospel presented as well. After
the pastor said “Amen” the congregation would sing words directly from the 51st
Psalm. It was called The Offertory.” “Create in me a clean heart O God, and
renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence and take not
Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold
me with Thy free spirit. (Sounds like a sinner’s prayer to me!)
I miss this part of the Lutheran worship service, it seems
to have gotten out of vogue. I still remember the first time I sang it in
church after my prodigal season had ended. It brought me to tears and still
does! Thank You Jesus for restoring to me the joy of Your salvation!
I’m Duane Matz and that’s
Today’s Living Word.
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