Platt: How to Lead Someone to Christ Without the 'Sinner's Prayer'

If we don't lead people in the "sinner's prayer" in evangelism, then how can we lead them to Christ?

Pastor David Platt is answering that question after having expressed reservation over the widely employed "sinner's prayer." Earlier this year, he called the specific prayer "superstitious," sparking debate among Christians.

The Birmingham, Ala., pastor understands that many (like Billy Graham) have used and continue to use the prayer in their evangelistic efforts and that many have come to Christ that way. But for him personally, Platt chooses not to ask people to repeat after him in a sinner's prayer partly because it comes across as "unhealthily formulaic."

"I talk with people all the time who are looking for a 'box to check off' in order to be right with God and safe for eternity. But there is no box. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone," he said Monday in a blog post.

So to answer the question, Platt, who leads The Church at Brook Hills, offered to summarize what he teaches at his church's Institute for Disciple-Making every spring. Read more