A Prayer for Salvation: Ephesians 2:8–10

This prayer is written in easy English for anyone who enjoys studying the Bible with simple words. If you prefer to read this prayer in more advanced English, you can read A Prayer for Salvation.

There is no bigger gift than God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us that salvation is a gift. We cannot earn it. God gives it because he loves us! He is happy to save us.

Even after we get this gift, we forget. We go back to bad habits. Sometimes we act like we own ourselves. This prayer is for people who love God but still make mistakes. It asks God for strength, help, and grace to do the good work he planned for us.

Vocabulary

These vocabulary words may help you understand the Bible verse and the prayer:

Boast (verb) – To brag or talk proudly about what you have done.
Confess (verb) – To tell the truth to God about bad choices you made.
Courage (noun) – Being brave and doing the right thing, even when you feel scared or nervous.
Earn (verb) – To get something because you worked hard for it.
Forgive (verb) – To stop being angry at someone who did something wrong.
Grace (noun) – God’s warm, undeserved love and kindness toward us.
Mercy (noun) – Kindness and forgiveness shown to someone when they deserve punishment.
Obey (verb) – To do what someone in authority tells you to do.
Salvation (noun) – Being saved from sin and given new, eternal life through Jesus.
Sin (noun) – Doing, saying, or thinking things that break God’s rules.

A Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for your gift of salvation described in Ephesians 2:8–10 (ERV): “I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about. God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.” You saved me by your grace through faith. You did not save me because of good things I did. You saved me because you love me! You are kind, patient, and good. You deserve all praise.

Without your gift, I would still be lost in my sin. I confess that I still want to be my own boss sometimes. I forget that Jesus bought me. I am still selfish and proud. Please forgive me when I do not obey you. Please forgive me when I choose to be comfortable instead of doing your work.

You never give up on me. You cover me with mercy. You give me your Holy Spirit. Thank you for your love! Thank you for making me your child. You prepared good work for me to do. I do not do good work to earn salvation. I do good work because you already saved me!

The devil tries to make me do bad things. He wants me to give up. But Lord, you give me strength to stand. You help me remember who I am in Christ. You invite me to follow you every day.

Please help me do the good work you gave me. Help me see this work, even when it is small or hard. Give me courage to serve others. When I am tired, help me keep going. Do not let me use my own power. Let me use your power inside me. May my life bring honor to you.

In Jesus Name I Pray. Amen.

This Bible verse is part of a passage that talks about how we can go from death to life. Please read Ephesians 2:1-10 for additional context.

Think About

Please think about these questions:

What is the best gift you have ever received from someone?
Why is it hard for us to ask for help when we make a mistake?
What is one small way you can help or serve another person today?
When you feel tired or stressed, what helps you keep going?
The prayer talks about grace, which means getting a good gift we did not earn. How does it feel when someone is kind to you for free?

You can share some of your answers in the comments section!