First, no pressure

This page is for someone who is thinking about following Jesus and wonders what the next step looks like. It is not a trap, a sales pitch or a test. Nobody is watching to see whether you say the right thing, and nothing here has a deadline.

If you are still unsure, you are welcome to skip it, or read it anyway and simply see what you think. Waiting to ask more questions is a perfectly reasonable thing to do. Many people spend a long time considering Jesus before they decide, and there is no shame in that.

What a prayer is

A prayer is a conversation with God. That is all. You do not need a special place, posture, language or vocabulary. Jesus taught that God is like a father who already knows what we need and welcomes us as we are (Matthew 6:7).

So when Christians talk about a prayer to follow Jesus, they mean an honest way of saying: this is where I am, this is what I want, and I would like your help. Words are only a way to express what is already in the heart.

What the words are and are not

It is worth being clear about something. Christians teach that we are welcomed by God through his grace and through trusting Jesus, not by reciting a perfect formula (Ephesians 2:8). The apostle Paul writes about believing in the heart and speaking it aloud (Romans 10:9), and John describes receiving Jesus as a gift offered to all who trust him (John 1:12).

Even so, the traditions of the church vary on how they talk about this moment. Some encourage a spoken prayer of commitment, while others emphasize baptism, confirmation or a gradual growth in faith across a lifetime. The words below are not a spell and they are not the only way. They are a starting point you can change however you like.

A simple prayer you can make your own

Read it slowly. If some parts are not true for you yet, leave them out or change them. If you would rather say it in your own way, do that instead.

God, I am not sure how to do this, but I want to be honest with you. I want to know Jesus, and I want to follow him. I believe he is your Son, that he lived among us, that he died for us and that he was raised to life. I do not understand everything yet, and I am asking you to help me. I am sorry for the ways I have gone my own way, and for the things I have done that hurt you or other people. Thank you that you forgive, and that you love me before I have got anything right. Jesus, I want to trust you with my life. Please be close to me, teach me, and lead me. Help me to find people who follow you and to learn from your word. I want to grow, one day at a time. Thank you for listening. Amen.

If you prayed it, or something like it

You may feel something, such as peace, tears, relief or quiet joy. You may also feel nothing at all. Both are normal, and neither one measures whether it was real. Christians speak of God's promise to forgive those who turn to him honestly (1 John 1:9), and the promise does not depend on how strongly you felt in the moment.

If you found you could not say the words, that is not a failure. Perhaps you are not there yet. Maybe you said only part of them. The invitation stays open, and you can come back on another day, next week or next year.

A few gentle suggestions

Whatever you decided today, here are a few small things that many people find helpful.

  • Keep talking to God. A sentence at breakfast or before sleep is enough.
  • Read a Gospel slowly, such as Mark or John. The Bible reader here on Yeshva is free and works in English and Spanish.
  • Tell one trusted person, perhaps a friend who follows Jesus or a pastor. You do not have to carry this alone.
  • Look for a church or small group where questions are welcome.

If you are not ready

You may not want to pray this today, and that is a completely legitimate answer. Being honest about that is better than saying words you do not mean. Jesus never forced anyone to follow him. In one story, a wealthy man walked away and Jesus let him go, though he looked at him with love (Mark 10:17).

Keep reading and asking. A good place to continue is the Gospel of John, or the next page in this path. And if you are struggling or anxious, talking with a pastor, a counselor or someone you trust can be a real help.