Church fights aren’t pretty. I can attest to it from personal experience!
A major dispute broke out in AD 340 following the death of the bishop of Milan. There were two factions: those who affirmed Christ’s divinity (orthodox Christians) and those who opposed it (Arians). The debate became so hotly contested that some feared the rival factions could take up arms. Ambrose (340-397), governor of Milan, was summoned to quell the disturbance. He rose to the occasion and delivered an impassioned, conciliatory speech. Much to his surprise, both sides called for him to become their new bishop. Hey, the guy wasn’t even baptized! Ambrose didn’t want the job, so he hid in the house of a friend. Delegates attending the meeting tracked him down and placed him under house arrest until he consented to take the job. Within the week, Ambrose was baptized, ordained a priest, and elected bishop. He was keenly aware of his spiritual deficiencies in his new role, so he poured himself into prayer and study of the Word. He deftly led the church as bishop to affirm Christ’s Lordship and recover its central mission. Ambrose leads us to pray:
Ambrose of Milan
O Lord, you have mercy upon all and hate nothing that you have made. Remember how frail our nature is, and that you are our Father and our God. Don’t be angry with us forever and stop your tender mercy in displeasure. For it is not for our just works that we present our prayers before you, but for the multitude of your tender mercies. Take away from us, O Lord, our iniquities, and mercifully kindle in us the fire of your Holy Spirit. Take away this heart of stone, and give us a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore you, a heart to delight in, to follow, and to enjoy you. And we entreat your mercy, O Lord, that you would look down graciously upon your family, as it pays its vows to your most holy name. And that the desire of none may be in vain, and the petitions of none unfulfilled, inspire our prayers, that they may be to your delight to hear and answer.
Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.