--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We should not open our mouths too hastily…" description: "\"We should not open our mouths too hastily upon approaching God. On the contrary, we first must ask God to show us what and how to pray before we make o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ac/watchman-nee-1561_asking_we-should-not-open-our-mouths-too-hastil_2401547.jpg" --- # We should not open our mouths too hastily upon approaching… ![“We should not open our mouths too hastily upon approaching God. On the contrary, we first must ask God to show us what and how to pray before we make our request known to Him. Have we not consumed a great deal of time in the past asking for what we wanted? Why not now ask for what God wants?” quote by Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ac/watchman-nee-1561_asking_we-should-not-open-our-mouths-too-hastil_2401547.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ac/watchman-nee-1561_asking_we-should-not-open-our-mouths-too-hastil_2401547.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ac/watchman-nee-1561_asking_we-should-not-open-our-mouths-too-hastil_2401547.jpg) > “We should not open our mouths too hastily upon approaching God. On the contrary, we first must ask God to show us what and how to pray before we make our request known to Him. Have we not consumed a great deal of time in the past asking for what we wanted? Why not now ask for what God wants?” [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We should seek God’s guidance before speaking, asking Him what to pray and how, rather than demanding our own desires. **In simple terms:** Ask God first before praying. Key Takeaway Seek divine direction before making requests. Themes faith prayer humility Mood contemplative reverent Type spiritual instructional When to use this quote - personal prayer - church counseling - spiritual retreats - confessional practice Key Concepts theology spiritual discipline Questions to Reflect On - How can you discern God’s will in prayer? - What habits help you listen before speaking? A Different Perspective It may be difficult to trust God’s timing over personal urgency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approaching God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approaching-god-445029/) [Asking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking/) [Asking Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking-wanted-900066/) [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Consumed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumed/) [Contrary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrary/) [Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [God Wants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-wants/) [Known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known/) [Mouths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mouths/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) [Request](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/request/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) [Wanted Ask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-ask/) [Why not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/why-not/) ## Related quotes > [“Many who begin early will lose their reward (or not even actually come to a true faith in Christ and salvation) because they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-montgomery-boice/many-who-begin-early-will-lose-their-reward-or-not-even-actually-come/) [James Montgomery Boice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-montgomery-boice/) > [I just got a call one day from Ringo asking me if I wanted to go out on the tour. It was as simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-lake/i-just-got-a-call-one-day-from-ringo-asking-me-if-i-wanted-to-go-out/) [Greg Lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-lake/) > [A demon was asking me what I wanted. My eyes flicked to Al, and he shrugged. “What do you want?” he said softly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/a-demon-was-asking-me-what-i-wanted-my-eyes-flicked-to-al-and-he/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [God wants us to seek Him more than anything else, even more than we seek answers to prayer. When we come to God in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stanley/god-wants-us-to-seek-him-more-than-anything-else-even-more-than-we/) [Charles Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stanley/) > [It is a fact that God wants to destroy every work of our flesh, but He never desires to destroy our personality. He takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/it-is-a-fact-that-god-wants-to-destroy-every-work-of-our-flesh-but-he/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [Our relationship finally ended when he took to waking me up in the wee hours o the morning when he would go surfing. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/our-relationship-finally-ended-when-he-took-to-waking-me-up-in-the/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [“If God wanted us to ask questions, he would have made us men (page 80).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-ali/if-god-wanted-us-to-ask-questions-he-would-have-made-us-men-page-80/) [Monica Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-ali/) > [If God wanted us to ask questions, he would have made us men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-god-wanted-us-to-ask-questions-he-would-have-made-us-men/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Isn't that part of love, I wanted to ask, carrying someone else's ghosts for them?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-baker/isn-t-that-part-of-love-i-wanted-to-ask-carrying-someone-else-s/) [Tiffany Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-baker/) > [“Where’s here, Tommy? I’m going to need a little more information than that.” ‘In the apartment, where are you?’ “Tommy, you’re right here. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-tufo/where-s-here-tommy-i-m-going-to-need-a-little-more-information-than/) [Mark Tufo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-tufo/) > [Have you ever wanted to ask a question but you didnt because you knew your heart wouldnt be able to handle the answer? I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-you-ever-wanted-to-ask-a-question-but-you-didnt-because-you-knew/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I also wanted to ask you if we can talk to the Erudite you're keeping safe here," I say. "I know they're hidden, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-also-wanted-to-ask-you-if-we-can-talk-to-the-erudite-you-re-keeping/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [All I wanted from you was to be loved by you that's all I ever wanted but some how that was to much to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexii-williams/all-i-wanted-from-you-was-to-be-loved-by-you-that-s-all-i-ever-wanted/) [Lexii Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexii-williams/) > [“How was I bringing shame? I wanted to ask him. I was a child, a ten-year-old girl. A little girl who liked playing hide-and-seek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malala-yousafzai/how-was-i-bringing-shame-i-wanted-to-ask-him-i-was-a-child-a-ten-year/) [Malala Yousafzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malala-yousafzai/) > [“I'm not sure you can appreciate how much I want to lay you out before me an dmake you scream my name." My mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-hodkin/i-m-not-sure-you-can-appreciate-how-much-i-want-to-lay-you-out-before/) [Michelle Hodkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-hodkin/) ## More by Watchman Nee > [Therefore, brethren, pray until God gives us revelation so that "knowing this" in our spirit we may truly confess "that our old man has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/therefore-brethren-pray-until-god-gives-us-revelation-so-that-knowing/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [If you perform your part, God will fulfill His. And once you put off specifically, you should just as thoroughly believe that God will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/if-you-perform-your-part-god-will-fulfill-his-and-once-you-put-off/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [“That which they have need of . . . let it be given them day by day without fail. Ezra 6:9 If we really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/that-which-they-have-need-of-let-it-be-given-them-day-by-day-without/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [With fear and trembling we must rely upon God for guidance in the inner depths. This is the sole way to walk according to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/with-fear-and-trembling-we-must-rely-upon-god-for-guidance-in-the/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [When the fruit of your service is out of all proportion to the gifts you possess, THAT is Blessing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/when-the-fruit-of-your-service-is-out-of-all-proportion-to-the-gifts/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [If the mind is open the individual will soon perceive the preciousness of a truth which initially appeared rather dull to him but now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/if-the-mind-is-open-the-individual-will-soon-perceive-the/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [The idea of waste only comes into our Christianity when we underestimate the worth of our Lord.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/the-idea-of-waste-only-comes-into-our-christianity-when-we/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [“Only those who are subject to authority can be authority.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/only-those-who-are-subject-to-authority-can-be-authority/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [Henceforth we are dead to everything pertaining to ourselves and alive to His Spirit alone. This requires our exercising faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/henceforth-we-are-dead-to-everything-pertaining-to-ourselves-and/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [Victory is the normal experience of a Christian; defeat should be the abnormal experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/victory-is-the-normal-experience-of-a-christian-defeat-should-be-the/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [God is not seeking a display of my Christ-likeness , but a manifestation of His Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/god-is-not-seeking-a-display-of-my-christ-likeness-but-a/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [Only those who are spiritual perceive the reality of the spiritual foe and hence engage in battle. Such warfare is not fought with arms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/only-those-who-are-spiritual-perceive-the-reality-of-the-spiritual/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [It does not matter what your personal deficiency, or whether it be a hundred and one different things, God has always one sufficient answer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/it-does-not-matter-what-your-personal-deficiency-or-whether-it-be-a/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [Never adopt an attitude of indifference, for if you do you will suffer for it. The weight will grow heavier and heavier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/never-adopt-an-attitude-of-indifference-for-if-you-do-you-will-suffer/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [None who are shod with fleshly shoes can stand on the holy ground of God's service. Many failures and much waste and confusion which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/none-who-are-shod-with-fleshly-shoes-can-stand-on-the-holy-ground-of/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) [Explore all 227 Watchman Nee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) ## More Asking quotes > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [And in your new lives you'll have to live entirely for that one sensation-that of imminent truth. And you're going to have to holler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/and-in-your-new-lives-you-ll-have-to-live-entirely-for-that-one/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“Stop asking yourself how or why and tell yourself you can." - Charmainism”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charmaine-smith-ladd/stop-asking-yourself-how-or-why-and-tell-yourself-you-can-charmainism/) [Charmaine Smith Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charmaine-smith-ladd/) > [Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer to anyone who was listening, asking please, for God's sake, stop sending him signals that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/closing-his-eyes-he-sent-up-a-prayer-to-anyone-who-was-listening/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [People will identify with a persecuted minority without asking themselves what they are identifying with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/people-will-identify-with-a-persecuted-minority-without-asking/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [If you're having a bad day already and everybody is just asking you petty questions, it drives people to the edge, or something really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-weixler/if-you-re-having-a-bad-day-already-and-everybody-is-just-asking-you/) [Jess Weixler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-weixler/) > [You never give away your heart; you lend it from time to time. If it were not so, how could we take it back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/you-never-give-away-your-heart-you-lend-it-from-time-to-time-if-it/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [I'm not asking people to feel sorry for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-abramoff/i-m-not-asking-people-to-feel-sorry-for-me/) [Jack Abramoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-abramoff/) > [The boldness of asking deep questions may require unforeseen flexibility if we are to accept the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/the-boldness-of-asking-deep-questions-may-require-unforeseen/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [Use Google Before Asking A Stupid Question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muskaan/use-google-before-asking-a-stupid-question/) [Muskaan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muskaan/) > [There were people asking 'Can women be funny?' People still ask that. It's like asking: 'Can women breathe in and out?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-walters/there-were-people-asking-can-women-be-funny-people-still-ask-that-it/) [Julie Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-walters/) > [Whether that's speaking up in your job or asking for a promotion or saying, 'I think I can do that.' Using your voice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/whether-that-s-speaking-up-in-your-job-or-asking-for-a-promotion-or/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [Love cannot be had for the asking; it comes only as a gift from the heart of another](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/love-cannot-be-had-for-the-asking-it-comes-only-as-a-gift-from-the/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [The Baseball Hall of Fame is something every player dreams about, but being a member of God's Hall of Fame is the greatest achievement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-carter/the-baseball-hall-of-fame-is-something-every-player-dreams-about-but/) [Gary Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-carter/) > [“In such a regime, I say you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murdered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/in-such-a-regime-i-say-you-died-a-good-death-if-your-life-had/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Browse all 3,313 Asking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We should not open our mouths too hastily upon approaching God. 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