When people brought children to Jesus and the disciples tried to send them away, Jesus stopped them cold. “Suffer the little children to come unto me,” he said, “for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). He didn’t just tolerate the children’s presence, he took them up in his arms and blessed them, making it clear that kids belong at the center of this, not the edges.
These thirty verses are simple, direct ones a child can understand and pray, built around the truth that salvation isn’t something kids have to grow up to qualify for. If you’re a parent looking for a gentler way to walk a young child through this same truth for the first time, our salvation prayer for child offers a softer, more guided version.
Pray these together, out loud, in words a kid can actually follow. Jesus welcomed children exactly as they were, and that welcome hasn’t changed.
Sinners Prayer for Kids
1. Mark 10:14 (KJV)
“…Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Prayer: Let me come to you just like this, without waiting to be older or better.
Thank you for wanting kids close to you, not far away.
Welcome me the same way you welcomed the children in this story.
2. Romans 10:9 (KJV)
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Prayer: I believe you raised Jesus from the dead, God.
I say with my own mouth that Jesus is my Lord.
Save me, just like this verse says you will.
3. John 3:16 (KJV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Prayer: Thank you for loving me enough to give your Son.
I believe in Jesus, so give me the everlasting life this verse promises.
Help me not be afraid, because I know you love the whole world, including me.
4. Romans 3:23 (KJV)
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Prayer: I know I’ve done things that are wrong, God.
Help me be honest about that instead of pretending I’m perfect.
Thank you for loving me even though I’ve sinned.
5. Romans 6:23 (KJV)
“…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Prayer: Thank you for this gift, since I know I couldn’t earn it myself.
Let me receive eternal life the way this verse says it’s given.
Help me be grateful for a gift I didn’t have to pay for.
6. Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Prayer: Thank you for saving me by grace, not because I earned it.
Let my faith be simple and real, not something complicated.
Help me not brag about being saved, since it was your gift, not my achievement.
7. 1 John 1:9 (KJV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Prayer: I confess the things I’ve done wrong, God.
Forgive me the way this verse promises you will.
Clean my heart from anything that isn’t right inside me.
8. Acts 16:31 (KJV)
“…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
Prayer: I believe in Jesus, and I’m asking to be saved.
Let this simple belief be enough, the way this verse promises.
Thank you for making the way this clear and easy to understand.
9. John 1:12 (KJV)
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
Prayer: I receive Jesus into my heart today.
Let me become part of your family, the way this verse describes.
Thank you for giving me this power just because I believed.
10. Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in…”
Prayer: I hear you knocking, Jesus, and I want to open the door.
Come into my heart, just like this verse describes.
Thank you for waiting patiently until I was ready to open it.
11. Matthew 18:3 (KJV)
“…Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Prayer: Thank you for making it so kids like me can come to you easily.
Let my simple belief be exactly what you’re asking for.
Help grownups remember how easy this can be, the way I understand it.
12. Luke 15:10 (KJV)
“…there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Prayer: Let there be joy in heaven because I’m asking Jesus into my heart today.
Thank you for celebrating this decision, even though it’s small to me.
Remind me this moment matters, even if no one else sees it.
13. Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Prayer: Create a clean heart in me, God, starting today.
Renew whatever in my spirit needs fixing.
Thank you for making this possible through Jesus.
14. John 14:6 (KJV)
“…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being the way to God.
Let me follow this way honestly, not just say the words.
Bring me to the Father through you, the way this verse promises.
15. Romans 5:8 (KJV)
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Prayer: Thank you for loving me before I even asked you to.
Let me understand that Jesus died for me, even before I said this prayer.
Help me love others the way you loved me first.
16. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
“…if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Prayer: Make me new today, Jesus, the way this verse promises.
Let old mistakes pass away, not follow me around anymore.
Thank you for a fresh start that starts right now.
17. Psalm 139:14 (KJV)
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
Prayer: Thank you for making me, just the way I am.
Let me believe I’m wonderful to you, even on hard days.
Help me praise you for how you made me.
18. Matthew 19:14 (KJV)
“…Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Prayer: Let me come to you today, just like this verse says I can.
Thank you for never turning kids away.
Welcome me into your kingdom the way you welcomed the children then.
19. Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)
“…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…”
Prayer: Wash away my sins, God, the way this verse promises.
Make them white as snow, gone completely.
Thank you for a forgiveness this complete.
20. Psalm 103:12 (KJV)
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Prayer: Remove my sins far away, the way this verse describes.
Thank you for not holding my mistakes against me forever.
Let me trust this forgiveness is really that far reaching.
21. John 10:28 (KJV)
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
Prayer: Give me eternal life, Jesus, the way you promised.
Thank you for holding onto me and never letting go.
Let me feel safe in your hand, today and always.
22. Titus 3:5 (KJV)
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”
Prayer: Thank you for saving me because of your mercy, not because I was good enough.
Let me trust this even when I mess up later.
Remind me your mercy started this, not my own effort.
23. 1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”
Prayer: Let me want to read your word now that I know you, God.
Help me grow, the way this verse describes.
Thank you for wanting me to grow up in faith, not stay the same forever.
24. Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Prayer: Let this decision today stay with me my whole life.
Thank you for the people teaching me about you right now.
Help this faith grow stronger as I get older, not weaker.
25. John 15:5 (KJV)
“I am the vine, ye are the branches… without me ye can do nothing.”
Prayer: Let me stay connected to you, Jesus, like a branch to a vine.
Help me remember I need you for everything, even the good things I do.
Thank you for being the source I can always come back to.
26. Matthew 28:20 (KJV)
“…lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
Prayer: Thank you for promising to always be with me now.
Let me feel that presence, especially when I feel alone.
Remind me this promise doesn’t have an ending date.
27. Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Prayer: Help me hide your word in my heart starting today.
Let it help me make good choices as I grow up.
Thank you for giving me the Bible to learn from.
28. 1 John 4:9 (KJV)
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son…”
Prayer: Thank you for sending Jesus to show me your love.
Let me understand this love more every year I grow up.
Help me love others the way you sent Jesus to love me.
29. Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)
“…nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Prayer: Thank you that nothing can separate me from your love now.
Let me hold onto this promise even when I make mistakes later.
Remind me this love is bigger than anything I could ever do wrong.
30. Revelation 21:4 (KJV)
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes… there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.”
Prayer: Thank you for the promise that one day there won’t be any more sad things.
Let me look forward to heaven, now that I belong to you.
Help me remember this hope whenever I feel scared or sad.
Conclusion
Jesus didn’t ask the children brought to him to prove anything before he welcomed them. He simply took them in his arms and blessed them, exactly as they were. That’s still how this works for kids today, no complicated steps, just an honest, simple welcome into God’s family.
If today’s step is small, try praying just one of these verses together at bedtime tonight instead of trying to cover everything at once. Our salvation prayers for kids has more simple prayers to grow this habit over time.
Whatever age the child praying this is, Jesus already made room for them. All that’s left is coming to him, just like this.