Mr. Hartt was preaching the gospel in a tent. A man who lived nearby—a man who was known for the wickedness of his life—came to the tent, and at the close of the address he went up to Mr. Hartt and said, "I want to be saved; can you teach me any prayers?"
Mr. Hartt said, "Which would you like, a long one or a short one?"
He said that he had never prayed in his life, and he had better have a short one.
Mr. Hartt quoted the prayer in Luke 18:11-1211The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. (Luke 18:11‑12) which the Pharisee prayed: "God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess."
The man shook his head. "That would not do for me."
"Well, then, what about the next one? 'God be merciful to me a sinner."'
"Ah," he said, "that is just the prayer I want!"
He came back to the tent the next day a saved and happy man. He simply took his place before God as a sinner, and found it true that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15).