Prof. Mark Zarling (Education, Old Testament) has accepted the call as president of Martin Luther College. He will be sorely missed by all, but his keen understanding and humble shepherd's heart will surely be great blessings to the college just as they have been here. Zarling will conclude his current semester teaching duties here at the seminary before leaving for New Ulm.
Zarling asks you to pray with him for our Christian schools:
Lord Jesus, you are the perfect teacher. With Peter we say, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Your word, dear Jesus, is truth and life. Place your Gospel deeply into each heart and soul present this morning, that we might firmly “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in your name.”
Today we thank you, dear Savior, for the Christian schools in our midst – our grade schools, high schools, colleges, and seminary. Bless them as places where your word of truth and life is shared in every class on every day. Move us to place our schools before your throne of grace daily so that your word remains true in our midst, and our schools remain the workplaces of the Holy Spirit. We confess today that we often have let our spiritual vision be clouded -- that we have forgotten how your Great Commission is connected with each Christian school. Our schools are more than just classrooms and sports, budgets or buildings. Lord, forgive us for not seeing your Holy Spirit at work in these places of the word, where each and every class “brings captive our thoughts to the word of Christ.” Forgive us through your precious blood. Move each of us to pray that your kingdom be advanced in and through our schools. Move us to pray for our teachers that they may be powerful instruments of your grace as they touch hearts with the Gospel. Please, Lord Jesus, grant our teachers joy and strength and contentment in their ministries.
Today I especially ask your blessing upon the schools of our synod that train future workers in your kingdom. Pour out the Spirit so that we all may view these schools as remarkable gifts of your grace. Move us to cherish these schools as blessings, not financial burdens. I especially ask your hand of blessing upon Martin Luther College. Continue to keep it in your love and care so that the Gospel is clearly taught and that you, Lord Jesus, are clearly seen in every classroom, dorm room, and at every event. Grant your rich grace upon the professors and staff. Empower them for faithful service and mold them into models of ministry for the next generation. Grant them contentment in their labors, knowing that their labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Move the hearts of the people in our synod to fervently pray for the mission of MLC, a mission to train witnesses eager to live Jesus and to proclaim him to a changing and shrinking world. Move the hearts of your people to generously support this school with gifts and offerings. Move the hearts of your baptized children to consider the amazing adventure of being a public servant of the Gospel. Preserve among us the treasure of your precious word, and preserve the schools where that word is passed on to another generation of heralds. May we never forget the apostle’s admonition: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” Dear Jesus, take not your Spirit from us. Remain with us and walk with us, that we may walk confidently and victoriously into the future
In the Name of Jesus, our living and ascended Lord, Amen.
