The phrase “ask Jesus into your heart” does not occur in Scripture. My recent article makes this point. So, why do we use this phrase? I’ve only just scratched the surface with my research, but here is what I have found so far. Encouraging unbelievers to ask Jesus into their hearts only seems to appear in Christian vocabulary in recent centuries.

John Flavel (1600s)

As far back as the 1600s, puritan pastor and theologian John Flavel served in Devon, England. He preached about those who reject the gospel saying, “they make light of it, and neglect the great salvation: receive not Christ into their hearts”1 This is the earliest form of the phrase I have found so far.

Charles Spurgeon (1800s)

In the late 1800s, Charles Spurgeon pastored the influential Metropolitan Tabernacle near London. His preaching was so renown that he came to be known as the “Prince of Preachers,” influencing preaching and gospel proclamation to this day. In his preaching, Spurgeon used different forms of this phrase to urge unbelievers to salvation. For example, in his sermon titled “Hosanna!” on March 22, 1891, Spurgeon said, “I pray that you who have never received him may listen, and may, by the listening, be led to pray for his coming into your heart.” Later, he urged unbelievers, “Admit the Lord into your heart, and the limpings of your unbelief will be exchanged for the leapings of faith.”2 Though the “ask Jesus into your heart” terminology did not originate with Spurgeon, he definitely promoted its usage by his example.

Gospel Songs (1800s-1900s)

After the American Civil War and spurred on by D. L. Moody’s revivals, gospel songs became popular. Many of these songs urged people to come to Christ. Through them, the “ask Jesus into your heart” terminology further embedded itself in Christian vocabulary with such songs as “Let Jesus Come Into Your Heart” (1898) by Lelia Morris, “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart” (1914) by Rufus H. McDaniel, “Come, Lord Jesus, Come Into My Heart” (1916) by Eliza E. Hewitt, and “Into My Heart” (1924) by Harry D. Clarke.

Children’s Ministries (1900s)

While gospel songs popularized this verbiage, children’s ministries and Sunday School publishers also picked up and promoted it for use with children. To “ask Jesus into your heart” became the standard way to tell children the way of salvation. However, in recent decades, some children’s ministries, like Child Evangelism Fellowship, have discouraged the use of the phrase in their teaching materials.3 Despite this emphasis, the phrase still pops up from earlier generations of training.

Billy Graham (1900s)

Also, in the 1900s, Billy Graham often employed “ask Jesus into your heart” wording in his crusades as part of a “sinner’s prayer” that he encouraged unbelievers to pray along with him. One such example prayer ends with a variation of this phrase: “I invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior.”4 As with Spurgeon, such a prominent preacher’s way of articulating the gospel greatly influenced how Christians of this era share the gospel.

Conclusion: Follow Scripture, Not History

We must think biblical and speak biblically. We should use the terms the Bible uses to explain salvation–no matter the age of the person who hears us. Historical precedence does not trump biblical truth. Just because prominent preachers of the past used “ask Jesus into your heart” terminology does not mean we must follow their lead. Scripture is our guide. In recent decades, many have rightly pushed back against this popular way of describing the way of salvation. Let’s hope this trend continues.

  1. John Flavel, The Whole Works of the Reverend John Flavel, vol. 2 (London; Edinburgh; Dublin: W. Baynes and Son; Waugh and Innes; M. Keene, 1820), 432. (available online) ↩︎ ↩︎
  2. C. H. Spurgeon, “Hosanna!,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 37 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1891), 178, 180. ↩︎
  3. Here is an online example of training to avoid using the phrase “ask Jesus into your heart.” ↩︎
  4. A video of Billy Graham leading in this sinners prayer is here. ↩︎