blhowes
Puritan Board Professor
\"... close your eyes, and repeat this prayer after me...\"
"Praying the sinner's prayer". Is there any Biblical warrant for having somebody do this? Its common practice in many evangelical churches today and has been for a good number of years. I was even a little surprised last Sunday morning to hear James Kennedy have a similar prayer at the end of his message, followed by somebody saying "If you prayed that prayer..."
If I were to go to a church now that had altar calls and sent those who responded to a back room to "pray the sinner's prayer", I cringe at the thought that I might be chosen to go with that seeking person to lead them in saying the prayer...been there, done that, but at another place and time.
Is my apprehension warranted? There isn't any passage in scripture that directly speaks about having a sinner say such a prayer, but can this practice be properly deduced from the scriptures (similar to how the trinity and other doctrines can)?
[Edited on 3-10-2006 by blhowes]
"Praying the sinner's prayer". Is there any Biblical warrant for having somebody do this? Its common practice in many evangelical churches today and has been for a good number of years. I was even a little surprised last Sunday morning to hear James Kennedy have a similar prayer at the end of his message, followed by somebody saying "If you prayed that prayer..."
If I were to go to a church now that had altar calls and sent those who responded to a back room to "pray the sinner's prayer", I cringe at the thought that I might be chosen to go with that seeking person to lead them in saying the prayer...been there, done that, but at another place and time.
Is my apprehension warranted? There isn't any passage in scripture that directly speaks about having a sinner say such a prayer, but can this practice be properly deduced from the scriptures (similar to how the trinity and other doctrines can)?
[Edited on 3-10-2006 by blhowes]