Is the “Sinner’s Prayer” required for salvation?

More good words from Greg Albrecht, of >Plain Truth Ministries:

Q. A few religious people have told me that God does not hear our prayers until we say what is called a ”Sinner's Prayer.' Recently a friend told me that she believes God does not hear her prayers because she does not regularly attend church and because she had not said a Sinner's Prayer. I disagreed with her, and told her that God loves her. Later, she let me know that a preacher where she goes to church would be glad to talk with me about the Sinner's Prayer and explain it to me. I need some insight. Maybe you have not heard of this.

A. The "Sinners Prayer" is just another attempt to forge some instrument or device that will help proclaim the gospel. It's an evangelical prayer designed to help people see their need of God. It is neither virtuous or evil, right or wrong, of and by itself. The Sinner's Prayer is not sacred. It might be "a" tool to help some -- but it is certainly not the only tool. I believe that we can dogmatically say that many have been saved without ever saying the Sinners Prayer.

Nothing in the Bible suggests that God limits himself to hearing the prayers of those who regularly attend church, or a specific church. Thank God! The idea of any human explaining to another why God hasn't/doesn't/won't answer prayers is religiosity at its worst. God makes the sun to shine and the rain to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45).

In Christ
Greg Albrecht