What's wrong with the Sinner's Prayer?

Humble Disciple · Jul 8, 2021

There are a lot of Calvinists on the internet, some of them very prominent, claiming that we shouldn't ask people to say the sinner's prayer when we offer the Gospel message.

This doesn't make much sense to me, especially since John Piper is a Calvinist, and also the author of a best-selling Gospel tract which ends with the sinner's prayer:
10 Reasons Jesus Came to Die (ESV), Pack of 25 Tracts

These same anti-sinner's prayer teachers also say that you shouldn't ask Jesus into your heart, despite Bible passages like Revelation 3:20 and Ephesians 3:16-17.

I understand the apprehension about having false professors, who have a false sense of assurance that they can live a life of sin and rebellion against God, because they prayed a prayer in vacation Bible school. But why can't we ask people to pray that God provide them the gift of lifelong, saving faith?

canadyjd · Jul 9, 2021

Humble Disciple said: ↑

There are a lot of Calvinists on the internet, some of them very prominent, claiming that we shouldn't ask people to say the sinner's prayer when we offer the Gospel message.

This doesn't make much sense to me, especially since John Piper is a Calvinist, and also the author of a best-selling Gospel tract which ends with the sinner's prayer:
10 Reasons Jesus Came to Die (ESV), Pack of 25 Tracts

These same anti-sinner's prayer teachers also say that you shouldn't ask Jesus into your heart, despite Bible passages like Revelation 3:20 and Ephesians 3:16-17.

I understand the apprehension about having false professors, who have a false sense of assurance that they can live a life of sin and rebellion against God, because they prayed a prayer in vacation Bible school. But why can't we ask people to pray that God provide them the gift of lifelong, saving faith?
Click to expand...

There is nothing wrong with praying.

The problem is saying “repeat after me…(insert sinners prayer)… now you are saved.”

peace to you

Yeshua1 · Jul 9, 2021

Humble Disciple said: ↑

There are a lot of Calvinists on the internet, some of them very prominent, claiming that we shouldn't ask people to say the sinner's prayer when we offer the Gospel message.

This doesn't make much sense to me, especially since John Piper is a Calvinist, and also the author of a best-selling Gospel tract which ends with the sinner's prayer:
10 Reasons Jesus Came to Die (ESV), Pack of 25 Tracts

These same anti-sinner's prayer teachers also say that you shouldn't ask Jesus into your heart, despite Bible passages like Revelation 3:20 and Ephesians 3:16-17.

I understand the apprehension about having false professors, who have a false sense of assurance that they can live a life of sin and rebellion against God, because they prayed a prayer in vacation Bible school. But why can't we ask people to pray that God provide them the gift of lifelong, saving faith?
Click to expand...

Think concern is that many have said that type of prayer, and yet they never were really saved?

What's wrong with the Sinner's Prayer?

Humble Disciple Active Member

canadyjd Well-Known Member

Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
Site Supporter

Useful Searches

What's wrong with the Sinner's Prayer?

Humble Disciple Active Member

canadyjd Well-Known Member

Yeshua1 Well-Known Member Site Supporter

Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
Site Supporter