I do believe that I see God moving around me like never before. The thing is, I don’t know if He is simply more active and I’m witnessing it, or if He has simply opened my eyes more so that I can see what He is doing all along. I have seen with my own eyes a young man come to the Lord in a parking lot at a store. I’ve seen a bunch of teenagers who care nothing about the Lord absolutely captivated by the story of Joseph. I’ve seen someone contemplating a return to church years after being hurt by it. I’ve even seen my own unforgiveness melt in the presence of my enemies.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. – Matthew 6:6

When is the last time you prayed? I mean really prayed like Jesus tells us to pray. Yes, I pray while riding down the road. I pray while sitting comfortably in front of my heater reading His Word. Throughout the day, I offer up little prayers here and there. I’m not going to stop any of that. At the same time, none of it is praying the way Jesus says to pray. Do it the way He says to do it and feel what a difference it makes.

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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. – Matthew 6:4

Jesus tells us that the poor will be with us always (Mark 14:7). Every time I’m confronted with the opportunity, my mind plays this game of imagining what the person will do with the gift that I give. Sometimes, I rationalize my way out of it. However, I’ve never failed to be blessed when I simply did Matthew 6:4. There is a way to meet a need without simply throwing money at a problem. There is a way to help and both of you be blessed. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to give in secret. Find out what this reward feels like. I think this even includes sharing the Gospel. We love to air on Facebook that “so many got saved this week,” and “hell lost another one.” Yet, when Jesus shared the Gospel to the woman at the well in John 4, He didn’t even tell His disciples what had happened. He simply said, “I’ve got food that you know nothing about.”

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. – Matthew 6:17-18

A lot of people get lost right here. Fasting is very difficult, especially the first few days when your body goes through withdrawals. I’ve learned that if you eat well, fasting is a bit more tolerable than if you eat poorly. I read that Jonathan Edwards fasted for 24 hours before he preached “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Afterwards, all churches in the area opened their churches during the day during the lunch break hours. People, on their own, forsook their food to simply go to the nearest church and pray. They didn’t worry about denominational lines, they just wanted to hang out with their Lord at the closest available church.

How would you like to see a reward like that?

Lord, prompt Your people called by Your Name to humble themselves. There is no better way to do this than to fast. May American Christians be brought to a place where they want spiritual food more than physical food . . . even if just for 24 hours. Bring revival, Lord. Bring Your presence to Your people like You have so many times in the past. Bless us, keep us, make Your face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Amen.