Key scripture – “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18).

God likes secrets when it pertains to fasting, giving to others, and prayer.

What makes secrets so special is that only the two of you know about it. It makes a special bond, a meaningful connection between you and God when you fast for Him, give to others and pray in secret, and you don’t tell anybody about it.

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3-6).

By doing these things in secret, and only you and God knowing about it, takes away the pride element. Your motive is to do it for God not for the cheers of or trying to impress others.

Praying, giving to others and fasting when done in secret brings you closer to God. When you fast it lets your body know that it doesn’t control you, God does. It lets God know that you’re putting Him first in your life. It also shows you the battle that your selfish nature puts up against denying yourself for God.

All those things are good for you and for your relationship with God. You can fast from food or television or the internet or anything that’s normally a part of your life that you enjoy. It’s not that these things are bad for you, but you want to make a point about Who is first in your life. When you do, He’ll reward you.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, forgive me for all the times I have shouted from the roof tops what I was doing for You, just to get the praise of others. Forgive me for being so shallow. What a mistake on my part, because by doing that, I sacrificed my reward in Heaven for the momentary praise I got here on earth. Jesus told us, “Be sure that you not do your charitable deeds before men to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Therefore, when you do your charitable deeds, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do your charitable deeds, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deeds may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:1-4). I want to store up all my treasure in Heaven, because one day I will have the honor and privilege to lay them all at the feet of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Father, I will fast from ______ today, because by denying my flesh and feeding my spirit, my flesh will know that You are first in my life. Show me who I can help today so that You will be glorified. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.