The origin of the sinner's/salvation prayer could be traced back to the 18th-19th century. D. L. Moody, an American evangelist (19th century) was one of the early advocates of the sinner's prayer.
Billy Graham, another prominent American evangelist (20th century) made the sinner's prayer popular all over the world.
Do you realise that most of them were Americans? Do you realise that America has a different culture from Asian countries?
America is a Christian nation. People in the country have some basic ideas about Christianity because it was taught in the schools. Hence, the sinner's prayer is more appropriate in their context and culture where the idea of Jesus and God is already in the mind of most people.
Yes, as Asians, we are largely influenced by the West. The sinner's prayer has become 'our approach'. But what is used in another culture cannot be copied into our Asian culture where many do not have an idea of the Gospel.
What matters therefore, is the message of the Gospel of the Kingdom that we share with others, especially in the streets.
David Platt, a prominent Southern Baptist evangelist and pastor in Birmingham, said, "Many assume they are saved simply because of a prayer they prayed. It's not that praying a prayer in and of itself is bad, but the question is what kind of faith are we calling people to?"
This is precisely what I have been sharing in the past few posts. What kind of Gospel are you calling people to believe in? You can preach a Mother god gospel and still get people to pray the sinner's prayer. You get my point.
David Platt added, "The emphasis on the sinner's prayer is unbiblical and damning."
He continued, "I'm convinced that many people in our churches are simply missing the life of Christ, and a lot of it has to do with what we've sold them as the gospel, i.e. Pray this prayer, accept Jesus into your heart, invite Christ into your life. Should it not concern us that there is no such superstitious prayer in the New Testament? Should it not concern us that the Bible never uses the phrase, 'accept Jesus into your heart' or 'invite Christ into your life'? It's not the gospel we see being preached, it's modern evangelism built on sinking sand. And it runs the risk of disillusioning millions of souls."
Platt shared similar concern as I have. He said, "Some people say they believe in Jesus, say they have accepted Jesus, say that they have received Jesus, but they are not saved and will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
In conclusion, he said, "Do I believe it is 'wrong' for someone to pray a 'prayer of salvation'? Certainly not. Calling out to God in prayer with repentant faith is fundamental to being saved. But I urge us, as we go to all people among all nations with the good news of God's love, to be both 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐳𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞."
The Southern Baptists are clear. So shall we. Zeal without knowledge is not good (Prov 19:2).
In our zeal to reach the lost, let's be biblically clear with the presentation and the demonstration of the Gospel of the Kingdom, so that others have an opportunity to respond to the complete Gospel and believe in the Jesus whom Peter and Paul preached.
Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. - Romans 10:1-2
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