“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalms 91:1

“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble.”
Psalms 32:7

Hebrew: סֵתֶר (seter)-secret, hidden, concealed, protected place. Meaning: A place of God’s covering, protection, & nearness

God has a secret place for His own, and it is a place to live in. Those who dwell there abide under the shadow of the Almighty, knowing His protection, comfort, and care”
-David Guzik

There’s nothing the human heart craves more deeply than safety. When we feel threatened, we try to become stronger than what scares us and tougher than what tries to control us. We build walls and create illusions of strength, as we claw for a refuge we simply cannot build on our own.

But God, rich in mercy and fierce in love, has already created that refuge for us. Scripture calls it “the secret place.”
A hidden space of protection, intimacy, and peace where the soul can finally breathe again. As David Guzik writes, “God has a secret place for His own… Those who dwell there abide under the shadow of the Almighty, knowing His protection, comfort, and care.” This isn’t a physical location. It’s a posture.

A heart turned toward God, where fear dissolves and true devotion awakens. And the invitation is yours…Here…Now.

This will be a two week progressive fast that begins on Monday, January 26, 2026, and will end on Sunday, February 8, 2026 after our Sunday worship gathering.

Phase 1 | Monday, Jan 26 – Sunday, Feb. 1

The first phase of our fast will follow what is commonly referred to as the Daniel Fast, modeled after the prophet Daniel’s fasting experience as recorded in Scripture (Daniel 1). This fast, often described as a “no pleasant bread” partial fast, involves setting aside certain foods and beverages, such as:

• Meat
• Sugar and sweetened products
• Dairy products
• Alcohol and sweetened drinks
• Processed snack foods and convenience items
• Fried foods (including those prepared with shortening, margarine, lard, or high-fat content)

Instead, we will focus on consuming:

• Vegetables and fruits
• Nuts, seeds, and whole grains

Our meals will be simple and intentional, using the whole foods God has abundantly provided. To make this experience meaningful:

1. Plan ahead to ensure cooking doesn’t become a burden or distraction.
2. Encourage participation from the whole family, fostering unity and purpose during this sacred time.

We will also go dark on all media (television, social media, internet scrolling).

Phase 2 | Monday, Feb. 2- Thursday, Feb. 5

During the second week, beginning Monday, February 2nd, we will go deeper. Here’s the plan:

• Monday through Thursday: Continue with the Daniel Fast, but reduce to one mid-day meal per day
• Thursday: Our final meal for the week will be the evening meal on this day.

Phase 3 | Friday, Feb. 6- Sunday, Feb. 8

For the last two and a half days of our fast (Friday through Sunday afternoon) we will transition to a water only fast, culminating at the end of our Sunday gathering. This progression invites us to depend more fully on God, preparing our hearts and minds for a sacred moment of worship and renewal as a community. Let this time serve as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and the strength we find in Him. (Please see these helpful tips on how to end your fast well.)

BOTH WEEKS

We will gather for prayer every morning on Zoom at 6:30A (except on Sundays), and in-person every evening at The Rec (Breakers Church) located at 8801 Woodward at 7P (except on Sundays).

Parking :

• For evening prayer, please use the parking lot directly connected to 8801 Woodward.

• For Sundays only, please use the lot directly across the street on Gladstone (follow the signs).

Keep in mind this is designed for us to go hard after God. That starts with posturing our hearts, minds and attitudes to fully seek Him as we make these sacrifices. Let’s heighten our awareness of Him by quieting our flesh and grow in living in the fear of the Lord.

What is Fasting?

The spiritual discipline of temporarily going without something that may be good, to more permanently go after something greater–God.

Why Do We Need to Fast?

Because we want to hunger for God more than anything. And because Jesus expects it of his followers. In Matthew 6:16, he says, “When you fast,” not  “if you fast.” 

Is Fasting basically a diet?

Simply forfeiting food is not a biblical fast. A biblical fast has an emphasis on prayer, often substituting time spent eating with prayer or serving others with good deeds.

What are the benefits of fasting?

• Greater dependency on God

• Self control

• Decreased desire to satisfy self

• Spiritual strength

Do Not Fast

• Water

• Food, if you are pregnant or a nursing mom, or have not been cleared to do so from your doctor

• Sex, if you are married and have not discussed this with your spouse