Is Man Saved by Prayer?

Every person should be interested in salvation from sin. No doubt you are or you would not be reading this short tract. Many think man is saved by prayer. Is man really saved by praying to God?

If man is saved by prayer, there is no record of such in the New Testament. We find sinners praying but salvation was not brought about by such.

The writer of Proverbs said, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination" (Prov. 28:9). God will hear the prayer of those who are already upright (Prov. 15:8). Evidently the blind man in John 9 knew passages like these and this accounts for his statement, "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth" (John 9:31).

Cornelius prayed but was told to send men for Simon Peter who would tell him what to do to be saved (Acts 10:1-6). If prayer saved, why send for the apostle Peter? Paul, before his conversion, prayed and fasted three days, and yet God sent Ananias to tell him what to do in order to be forgiven of sin. (Acts 9:9; Acts 22:12-16). If prayer saves, then why was Paul not saved by it?

If man is willing to be saved, God is willing to save him. Man does not have to beg God to save him. God will "abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7). God is not stingy with His salvation (Rev. 22:17). Sin and rebellion separate from God (Isaiah 59:1-2).

If any of us are saved, we must learn and obey the will of God (John 6:44-45; Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9). We can know what to do if we are honest and sincere (John 7:17). Will you seek the Lord's way which is found only in the Bible?