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THE POWER OF THE SECRET PLACE

February 4, 2025

He  who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide  under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NKJV 

1. GIVE. “But when you  give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and  your Father who sees  what is done  in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4). 

In our giving, praying, and fasting – we are responsible for doing these things in a manner unto God and not for other people. That’s what Jesus was rebuking here in Matthew 6. He’s saying, don’t show off how charitable or spiritual you are. Go to the secret place and do it for God. Now, what is the secret place? It is our point of contact with God, where our inner self is strengthened by Him (Ephesians 3:16). When it comes to giving to someone less fortunate (also called “alms”), we need to give in a way that is gently compassionate and not showing off how charitable we are. We are doing this for an audience of one – God. The last thing someone needs is to feel pressure while you are giving to them. They just need a gentle lift. 
 
2. PRAY. “But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)


Prayer is an invitation to all of us to connect with God. Prayer is not meant to be an environment that can show everybody else how spiritual you are. My 8-year-old granddaughter was praying some things the other day that were mountain-moving. Her prayers are as powerful as the most scholarly, highly developed, evolved Christian. Find a place of solitude like a closet or car or wherever you can get away from people for a minute. Shut out distractions, turn off your phone, and spend time alone with God. 
 
3. FAST. “ But as for you, when you fast,  anoint your head and wash your face,  so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your  Father who sees  what is done  in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:17-18).


Like giving and praying, fasting is also to be practiced in the secret place between you and God. Fasting is so beneficial and is basically doing without some stuff and taking our eyes off the world. Fasting does not change God one bit. He never changes. He is always pouring out blessing. But what it does is change us. Most of the Bible talks about fasting food, but you could fast your screen time, you could fast sweets. I have been so helped in my spiritual walk and my prayer life by taking on fasting in strategic moments of decision-making. I fasted and prayed about when my kids should start kindergarten. I fasted and prayed about moving from an apartment to a house and believing God for the equity and for the down payment. I fasted and prayed about direction for the future, for when I got married, for when I started this church. As you fast, be ready to see some amazing verifiable breakthrough. 

PRAY THIS PRAYER:
I cast all my worries and cares on You, Lord, because You care for me. Since I am a new creation, I repent of any sin and I ask for renewal and refreshment today. I pray that You would help me overcome whatever has blocked and hindered me. You always lead me in triumph. I speak supernatural, redemptive blessing over me and my family. I pray You move me forward in supernatural strength in terms that heaven enjoys, and that You are pleased with. I forgive; I bear no ill will, and I refuse to be resentful. I am staying in faith because faith pleases You, God. I love You Jesus with all my heart. I am Your vessel. I am trusting You to do some cool stuff through me in 2025!  

God bless You!
Pastor Jeff Perry

se·cret, adj. 
Kept from knowledge or view: concealed, hidden. Marked by the habit of discretion or faithful concealment: loyal to a confidence: trustworthy in preserving secrecy. 

Copyright © 2025 St. Louis Family Church, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Secret, Adj. (1)Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, C. & G. Merriam CO., 1971, p. 2052.