Can anyone tell me anything about the “sinners prayer”? Origins?

Is it Biblical to use the sinners prayer?

I have looked it up but can only find one article that everyone quotes and posts called The Sinner's Prayer: "Modern apostasy and false teaching that prevents men from being saved."

What is everyone’s thoughts on this subject?

Thanks!

The sinners prayer probably originates from the early protestant days, Luther and the like.

A prayer alone will not justify us before a holy God.
But When we realise that we as sinners, need to be saved from judgment,
If we confess our sins, repent from our sins, meaning change our mind and stop our sinfull behavior.
God will forgive us and restore us to a right relationship with Him.
A prayer of some formula will give us the general Idea to what we should be thinking about and correcting in our lives.
But by Just saying a prayer and not makeing any changes in our Lives, or Christ indwelling us and causing us to make changes in our lives, the prayer is just useless and pointless.

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howard

Praise Jesus!! Lion of Judah!!!

i will be the first to say that the begining of a persons life in Christ often begins in prayer. It [b]must however come from a broken and contrite heart[/b]. We must fully understand that we are condemned by our sins.

Today many of the responses are emotional and not from the heart. People take out fire insurance and then live like hell, having a false assurance of their position before God.

As to your question it is my understanding that the idea of a sinners prayer "asking Jesus into your heart" started with Dwight Moody in the late 19th century.

"Alter calls" reportedly had there initiation with Charles Finney.

Hisservant rich

Matthew 4:17

PraiseB2God wrote:

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Christiaan

I am a pastor in the bible belt. The sinners prayer has become one of the greatest hindrances to sharing the gospel. Everyone you share with has been "saved" "prayed the prayer" 10 to 20 times. I understand that it makes it easier to say that someone has been saved then they have this assurance in the prayer that they prayed. It seems that it is used to replace God's grace in salvation. Now people only perform this sacrament and God has to save them, according the sinner's prayer mentatility. Sorry if I am a little harsh, I have been very frustrated with this situation for a long time. their is a lot more that could be said on the subject but I think you get the point.

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John Graves

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Josh Parsley

Praise Jesus!! Lion of Judah!!!!

Amen!! jgraves11

Mt 15:6 then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
Mt 15:7 "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
Mt 15:8 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
Mt 15:9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "


i see this all the time sin hardened criminals who a claim to have long been saved because he [b]"said the prayer"[/b]

When i go in to the jails or out into the streets i am frequently asked to [b]say the prayer[/b] Which i never do.

i speak to them about repentance and the cost of following Christ. i tell them we serve God because HE is worthy of all we could ever do.


i do not sell Jesus like a new car!!

Hisservant rich

Matthew 4:17

Question. Don't we all say the sinners prayer? When God reveals himself in his majesty. When he reveals to us our sinful, vile selves. When we are crushed by the weight of our transgressions and his incomparable mercy and grace. When we see Jesus as our sacrifice and only hope. Do we not call on Jesus holy name and plead for mercy and forgiveness? Do we not pledge our lives to Him unreservedly? Are we not sinners saying a prayer?
It just seems that we are putting down the prayer rather than the motive. I agree that prayer should no be coerced nor should we be salesmen of Jesus looking only for "converts". But a true sinners prayer can be of great comfort in times of opression and trials when doubts may come. We should not be the cause of more doubt by questioning the idea of linking salvation and prayer. some of my thoughts- washad

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jonathan

The sinner's prayer originates with Jesus
parable of the proud publican and the broken
man. It is as simple as it is heartfelt:
God be merciful to me, a sinner. If the
heart is sincere and the conviction is true;
God will not fail to answer!!

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Martin G. Smith

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Josh Parsley