•Dwight L. Moody (1837–1899) was one of the most famous evangelists of the 19th century. He began his ministry as a simple shoe salesman turned preacher, but something changed drastically one day that made him a powerhouse for God.
The Encounter
•Before his powerful ministry began, Moody was preaching to large crowds, but he sensed something was missing. His words reached ears, but not hearts. Two elderly women in his congregation began praying earnestly for him to be “filled with the Holy Spirit.”
•One day, while walking down Wall Street in New York City, God’s presence suddenly came upon him in an overwhelming way. He said later:
•“I could only cry out, ‘Oh Lord, stay Thy hand!’ The love of God was poured into my heart like liquid fire. I had to ask Him to stop.”
•He described the experience as being “so full” of God’s love that he could not contain it — as if he was intoxicated with divine joy.