--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before we pray that God would fill us, I…" description: "\"Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray Him to empty us.\" — Dwight L. Moody" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10f/dwight-l-moody-1085_believe_before-we-pray-that-god-would-fill-us-i_1255243.png" --- # Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought… ![“Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray Him to empty us.” quote by Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10f/dwight-l-moody-1085_believe_before-we-pray-that-god-would-fill-us-i_1255243.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10f/dwight-l-moody-1085_believe_before-we-pray-that-god-would-fill-us-i_1255243.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10f/dwight-l-moody-1085_believe_before-we-pray-that-god-would-fill-us-i_1255243.png) > “Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray Him to empty us.” [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. One should ask God to empty oneself before seeking divine filling, emphasizing humility and receptivity. **In simple terms:** Empty yourself before receiving divine gifts. Key Takeaway Practice humility before seeking spiritual growth. Themes spirituality humility prayer Mood contemplative reverent Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - personal meditation - church teaching - counseling Key Concepts theology psychology Questions to Reflect On - What must you let go of to receive? - How does humility shape your faith? A Different Perspective Emptying may be misunderstood as loss of self. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-ought-1428440/) [Empty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty/) [God Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-believe/) [I believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-believe/) [Inspiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiring/) [Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought/) [Ought Pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought-pray-254116/) [Pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pray/) [Pray God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pray-god/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) ## Related quotes > [Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray that He would empty us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/before-we-pray-that-god-would-fill-us-i-believe-we-ought-to-pray-that/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [I believe many a man is praying to God to fill him, when he is full already with something else. Before we pray that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/i-believe-many-a-man-is-praying-to-god-to-fill-him-when-he-is-full/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [I ought to pray as much as God's on my mind, because then I'd pray a lot. All I can tell you is God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/i-ought-to-pray-as-much-as-god-s-on-my-mind-because-then-i-d-pray-a/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [I believe that all of us ought to retire relatively young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fidel-castro/i-believe-that-all-of-us-ought-to-retire-relatively-young/) [Fidel Castro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fidel-castro/) > [When you ask people, do they believe that we ought to have trade, I think people understand it's important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/when-you-ask-people-do-they-believe-that-we-ought-to-have-trade-i/) [John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/) > [There is nothing brilliant or outstanding in my record, except perhaps this one thing. I do the things I believe ought to be done.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/there-is-nothing-brilliant-or-outstanding-in-my-record-except-perhaps/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [I believe in the soul ... the small of a woman's back, the hanging curveball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-costner/i-believe-in-the-soul-the-small-of-a-woman-s-back-the-hanging/) [Kevin Costner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-costner/) > [“Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hangin' curveball, high fiber, good scotch, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-shelton/well-i-believe-in-the-soul-the-cock-the-pussy-the-small-of-a-woman-s/) [Ron Shelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-shelton/) > [When we believe that we ought to be satisfied, rather than God glorified, we set God below ourselves, imagine that He should submit His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/when-we-believe-that-we-ought-to-be-satisfied-rather-than-god/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [I firmly believe that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and self-seeking and every thing that is contrary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/i-firmly-believe-that-the-moment-our-hearts-are-emptied-of-pride-and/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [“Merciful Father… I have squandered my days with plans of many things. This was not among them. But at this moment, I beg only,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-ibn-fadlan/merciful-father-i-have-squandered-my-days-with-plans-of-many-things/) [Ahmed Ibn Fadlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-ibn-fadlan/) > [Prayer cannot truly be taught by principles and seminars and symposiums. It has to be born out of a whole environment of felt need.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/prayer-cannot-truly-be-taught-by-principles-and-seminars-and/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [We ought as much to pray for a blessing upon our daily rod as upon our daily bread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/we-ought-as-much-to-pray-for-a-blessing-upon-our-daily-rod-as-upon/) [John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/) > [“We ought to pray persistently.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-ought-to-pray-persistently/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Oh, how strenuous is life! I know a little of it. Men "ought always to pray, and not to faint." How fierce the battle!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-campbell-morgan/oh-how-strenuous-is-life-i-know-a-little-of-it-men-ought-always-to/) [G. Campbell Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-campbell-morgan/) ## More by Dwight L. Moody > [Christ never preached any funeral sermons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/christ-never-preached-any-funeral-sermons/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [What makes the Dead Sea dead? Because it is all the time receiving, never giving out anything. Why is it that many Christians are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/what-makes-the-dead-sea-dead-because-it-is-all-the-time-receiving/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [Many a professing Christian is a stumbling-block because his worship is divided. On Sunday he worships God; on weekdays God has little or no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/many-a-professing-christian-is-a-stumbling-block-because-his-worship/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [I never yet have known the Spirit of God to work where the Lord's people were divided.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/i-never-yet-have-known-the-spirit-of-god-to-work-where-the-lord-s/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [I believe many a man is praying to God to fill him, when he is full already with something else. Before we pray that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/i-believe-many-a-man-is-praying-to-god-to-fill-him-when-he-is-full/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [If Jesus bore the cross, and died on it for me, ought I not to be willing to take it up for Him?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/if-jesus-bore-the-cross-and-died-on-it-for-me-ought-i-not-to-be/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [The voice of sin is loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/the-voice-of-sin-is-loud-but-the-voice-of-forgiveness-is-louder/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [To be tempted is not to sin. The strongest attacks are made on the strongest forts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/to-be-tempted-is-not-to-sin-the-strongest-attacks-are-made-on-the/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [If you have so much business to attend to that you have no time to pray, depend upon it that you have more business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/if-you-have-so-much-business-to-attend-to-that-you-have-no-time-to/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [“God has left us down here to shine. We are not here to buy and sell and get gain, to accumulate wealth, to acquire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/god-has-left-us-down-here-to-shine-we-are-not-here-to-buy-and-sell/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [Right now I'm having so much trouble with D.L. Moody that I don't have time to find fault with the other fellow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/right-now-i-m-having-so-much-trouble-with-d-l-moody-that-i-don-t-have/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [There is no better evangelist in the world than the Holy Spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/there-is-no-better-evangelist-in-the-world-than-the-holy-spirit/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [Faith makes all things possible. Love makes them easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/faith-makes-all-things-possible-love-makes-them-easy/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [Excuses are the cradle ... that Satan rocks men off to sleep in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/excuses-are-the-cradle-that-satan-rocks-men-off-to-sleep-in/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [If you do not feel a fervent love and profound pity for humanity, be assured that the gift of Christian eloquence has been denied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/if-you-do-not-feel-a-fervent-love-and-profound-pity-for-humanity-be/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) [Explore all 295 Dwight L. Moody quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. 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