The Sinner's Prayer

In my previous post "Pray for the Laurie Family", did you notice Pastor Greg Laurie asked those who were ready to pray the sinner's prayer to say the words out loud? In all the times I've seen an altar call or heard a pastor offer this prayer, I have never heard those who responded make their commitment verbally. During the prayer here, I wondered if any of those standing were new to the service and were caught by surprise since all other experiences I've had with offering this prayer the individual was asked to "pray these words in your heart".

If Christians are trying to follow a Biblical example of how to attain eternal life, we should look for examples in the Bible. In Romans, Paul writes a letter to the Christians in Rome about his concern for his fellow Jews who have not accepted Jesus as Lord.

Romans 10:1-10

1 Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.

2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.

3 For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.

6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down),

7 or 'WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)."

8 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Is offering the sinner's prayer a good example of following a Biblical guide to attain eternal life?