Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Micah’s Message, June 5, 2022 Ephesians 5:7-14
Walking in the Light

We continue today with the practical portion of the book of Ephesians, telling us how to live out the new calling and life God has given us in Christ. Chapter 5 opened with the theme of imitating our heavenly Father because we are members of His family. Now we are told that we are light in the Lord, and how to live accordingly:

1. Walk as children of light. (5:7-10)

   Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

   If you spend time with unbelievers don’t follow them in their sinful activities but rather show them who Christ is. Choose your friends wisely. There are no neutral friendships in this world. Friends either drive us closer to Christ to be more like Him, or they drive us away.

   The fruit of light can be compared to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. None of us encapsulates all of these nine things all of the time, but we should be growing in them continually as we discern and apply Biblical principles.

   Father, please help us to show by how we act that we belong to You.

2. Flee from and expose darkness (5:11-12)

   Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

   How do we expose sin? Not by gossip or slander or talking about sin except in the most general terms. We are never to think lightly of sin, but instead pray for sinners and urge them to repent and turn to Jesus. There is no darkness that the light of Jesus cannot overcome, no sin known to man that the blood of Jesus cannot cover.

   Father, please help us to run away from sin, and help our fellow brothers and sisters to do the same!

3. Shine the light of Christ. (5:13-14)

   Everything exposed by the light is made clear, for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

   The light of Christ tells us who we are and who He is. It shows us the true nature of sin and how terrible it is. It is only He who can bring conviction and right living in us. The truth of Christ illumines everything.

   Lord Jesus, thank You for Your amazing love to die for us and change us from darkness to light! Please help us to know more and more Your truth in Your Word and to become more and more like You!