The Secret Place

The Secret Place Teaching (Matthew 6:1-18)

  • Central question: “Do you have a secret life with the Father?”

  • Three practices for secret relationship with God:

    1. Giving (verses 2-4)

      • Give without seeking recognition or praise

      • Left hand not knowing what right hand does

      • Heart-led generosity, not obligation-driven

      • Investment in community/local church family

    2. Prayer (verses 5-8)

      • Private conversation in inner room with door shut

      • Honest, regular dialogue without religious pretense

      • Father knows needs before asking

      • Includes Lord’s Prayer model

    3. Fasting (verses 16-18)

      • “Sledgehammer of prayer” for breakthrough

      • Don’t appear gloomy while fasting

      • Cooperative with Holy Spirit invitation

      • Focused on specific prayer targets

Personal Application & Secret Place Development

  • Secret place looks different across life seasons

  • Ken’s examples:

    • Age 16: Guitar worship with prison ministry songbook

    • Age 20: Mixtape worship in Pakistan dorm room during teaching assignment

    • Age 30: Asked Lord for desire to read Bible, received companion book on Abraham/Isaac/Jacob

    • Current: Coffee, markers, heavily marked NASB Bible

  • Key principle: Psalm 25 - “Secret of the Lord is for those who fear him”

    • Intimacy reserved for believers

    • Private counsel and conversation with God

  • Connection to Exodus 24: Moses entering glory cloud, receiving instructions for giving, prayer, fasting to build tabernacle

Ken JensenKen Jensen