IT WAS a hot Sunday evening in Hamilton. The little hall was crammed with carefree children of all ages. One solitary grown-up — a Christian engineer, who loved boys and girls for Jesus' sake — preached the gospel and tried to keep order.
Off in one corner of the room sat a notorious young ruffian named Bill. He had come early to take a seat where he could make the most trouble with the least restraint. Playing, poking, giggling, he did his best to interrupt and keep the others from listening.
But strange to tell, at the close of the meeting, as the restless crowd burst out into the street, Bill lingered behind. Bad though he was, God had spoken to him that night. With eyes fixed on the floor he stood before the somewhat discouraged preacher and addressing him by name said:
"Mr. Willis, are there any prayers in the Bible — short prayers? I think I need a prayer."
"Yes, Bill," replied Mr. Willis as he opened his Bible, "here are two prayers. Neither are very long, and they're both found in Luke, chapter eighteen." Quickly finding the place he began to read from verse 11:
"God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are . . ."
"What does that mean?" interrupted Bill.
"It means that you are better than all the other boys."
"Oh, that prayer won't do. I'm the worst! What's next?"
"I fast twice in the week . . ." "What does that mean?"
"It means that twice every week you go without your breakfast, your dinner and your supper."
"Oh, I can't say that! I never went without a meal in my life. What's next?"
"I give tithes of all that I possess . ."
"What does that mean?"
"It means, that if you have a dollar, you give ten cents of it away."
"Oh, sir, I've never given ten cents away! I never give anything away. That prayer won't do for me. Besides it's too long; I couldn't remember it all. What's the other one?"
"Well, Bill," continued the preacher, "the other one might do, and it has only seven words."
"Read it!"
"God be merciful to me a sinner. Would that prayer suit you, Bill?"
"Bill's answer was a flood of tears. It was just the prayer he needed. It is just the prayer every sinner needs — and just the prayer that God loves to hear and answer.
Have you, like Bill, prayed that prayer from your heart?
Then hear the words of the Lord Jesus:
Messages of the Love of God 3/30/1975