Jesus' invitation for Salvation

Luke 18:18-20
Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother." The man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young." When Jesus heard his answer, he said, "There is still one thing you haven't done. Sell all your posessions and give the money to the poor, an you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

This is very interesting! The man wants to be saved, and Jesus first goes over the 10 Commandments, then Jesus tells the man to do something. Why didn't Jesus tell the man to repeat "The Sinner's Prayer"? Why didn't Jesus tell the man to "ask Jesus into his heart"?

Ever since I was young, the way to be saved has always been to "ask Jesus into your heart", even in church today, everyone is told to "ask Jesus into your heart" or repeat the "Sinner's Prayer". Why did Jesus send the man away sad? Why didn't Jesus just tell him to repeat a prayer? Why was Jesus asking the man to give up what he loved the most? Why is Jesus' invitation to salvation so different from ours? Why is Jesus' "altar call" so different?

Here is another interesting scripture:

Luke 19:8-10

Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!" Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."

Wow! This is amazing! Zacchaeus, who is a rich tax collector, actually does what Jesus told the first rich man to do. Zacchaeus is going to give half his money to the poor, and pay back 4 times as much if he has cheated anyone. After giving all that money away, Zacchaeus probably won't have much money left. 

But what really amazes me is that Jesus declares that Zacchaeus is saved. Jesus said "Salvation has come to this home today". But Zacchaeus never said "the sinner's prayer". Maybe being saved is really not about repeating a prayer. Jesus never asked anyone to repeat a prayer, and the Apostle Paul never told anyone to ask Jesus to come into their hearts. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says:

Acts 20:21   "I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike- the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and having faith in our Lord Jesus."

Mark 6:12 says: So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.

Luke 13:3 Jesus said, "And you will perish too unless you repent of your sins and turn to God."

Why aren't people told to repent anymore? does anyone else have any feelings on this subject?