Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13 NIV)
Recently I read an article about Christian author and journalist Philip Yancey, who admitted to an eight-year extramarital affair, and was retiring from writing and speaking. The article mentioned that he has a Parkinson’s diagnosis, but that his wife of 55 years had chosen not to leave him, even though she would have biblical grounds for divorce. I can only imagine what it feels like to live with someone for 55 years and be faced with this horrendous situation. How does a man known for writing about grace and faith in Christ fall into such sin? How is his wife coping? How are their adult children and grandchildren processing this? What about their friends and church community?
From one decision – or multiple decisions in the same terrible direction – much fallout can happen. Like the center of a water wave, the wave of moral failure flows out and affects others. But, unlike a water wave whose energy disperses with time and space, sinful choices often compound and hurt so many others.
Bad choices leading to fallout can come from many sources –
- the decision to become high or intoxicated, leading to the death or maiming of innocents
- hiding or inaccurately portraying results of scientific studies so that people’s health and welfare are harmed
- ideological blindness leading to foolish military moves or the lack of enforcement of laws, leading to destruction of lives and property
- ignoring safety and environmental protocols so that peoples’ health is endangered and the environment is poisoned
Today, let us pray for all who are affected by the poor decisions of others. May there be repentance and restored relationships where possible, and may God grant peace and grace to those whose lives bear the fallout of choices they did not make.
God,
We come to you today to intervene for those who, by no action of their own, are suffering from the fallout from others’ decisions. No matter the cause, we pray that your comforting Spirit would be very present to those who are hurting. Give them wisdom and discernment for the decisions they make. We pray for repentance and restored relationships to be the norm in these situations. And we pray for protection over marriages and children caught in places of betrayal; may your grace rest on all those involved. We pray these things in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
If an enemy were insulting me,
I could endure it;
if a foe were rising against me,
I could hide.
But it is you, a man like myself,
my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
at the house of God,
as we walked about
among the worshipers. (Psalm 55:12-14 NIV)