Sannox prayer news – February 2022
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” [Prov 16:3]
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” [Prov 16:9]
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” [Prov 19:21]
These familiar verses, and many others, remind us once again that it is God who is in total control of every plan. If our plans have any hope of succeeding, they need to be His plans.
In last month’s prayer letter we quoted another verse referring to plans – Jeremiah 29:11. We can take great comfort from this truth – that God knows the plans he has for each one of us, for Sannox and every other centre like it that He is raising up across the nation in these days.
Our responsibility is to draw close to God, spending time with Him so that He can download the plans He has for us – individually and corporately, and then to stay close to Him as we seek to implement the plans He has given us.
There is a lot of planning activity going on at and for Sannox this year. Detailed plans for the Manse renovation are being finalised for review and approval by North Ayrshire Council. Planning of the events programme for ‘Sannox Saturdays’ and Project 200 continues. Planning for the completion of fund-raising applications to grant-giving bodies is in progress. And there is the day-to-day and week by week planning for the arrival of residential guests and the work involved before and after each visit.
We have big plans, ambitious plans, but we believe that these plans are from God and that we can rejoice in the truth that God is so much bigger than any of our plans, so much bigger than any of the challenges we face. We can rejoice in the truth that, if we stay in the centre of God’s will He will bring His plans for Sannox to fruition, in His way and in His timing, which is always perfect!
A key element in all this planning is prayer. This is clearly vital for those making the planning decisions – the Directors and Staff, but it also a vital function of the support network around them – the Advisors and Friends of Sannox. May we all be encouraged to persevere in prayer as we seek to implement God’s plans for each of us and especially for Sannox Christian Centre.
The Directors of Sannox Christian Centre
Lord, we give You thanks for…….
• the successful completion of repairs and redecoration at Dundarroch during January;
• the teams of volunteers who contributed so much to that work;
• the faithful supporters who over the years have given so much of their time, talents and finances to see the vision grow;
• the completion of the 8 display boards charting the history of Sannox Church and their installation in the vestibule area;
• the completion of the first draft of the Sannox Liturgy, a month of daily prayers, readings and reflections;
• the gift of £2,000 from the Inverclyde Trust towards the Manse renovation costs;
• the arrival of the new chairs – a gift from a church in Airdrie;
• the successful examination of the annual accounts for 2020/21 and that we ended that year with a surplus thanks to the generosity of supporters and Dundarroch guests.
Please pray for…….
• a good number of guests to book stays at Dundarroch from February onwards;
• a good attendance at the event on 12 February for the launch of the historical display, introduction to the Liturgy and 2022/21 AGM, plus times of thanksgiving, worship and prayer;
• the planning of the Sannox Saturdays in March, April & May;
• the residential Retreats with Roy Searle planned for June – see item below;
• the Directors as they continue to plan for Project 200 – especially for good contacts with local schools, churches and other organisations on Arran, for general awareness to increase, and for the programme as it develops;
• the links with descendants of Arran families overseas, the Clan McMillan, Clan Haldane and the Caledonian Society in Canada, that these would be strengthened and be a source of valuable, ongoing support – both financially and in other ways;
• Stuart Carr as he finalises the amended planning applications required, and for favour on the revised Manse plans as these are considered by planning officials – that there will be no significant delays in granting approval;
• God to open doors to funds from Trusts and other grant-giving bodies to provide the finances required for the Manse renovation and new regular donors to lay a solid foundation in support of the general running costs;
• the Directors as they continue discussions with individuals and couples who are sensing a ‘call’ to serve the Sannox vision, whether by moving to Arran or supporting with specific skills etc.
Future events
Following the event on 12 February, the monthly Sannox Saturdays will continue on 5 March, 2 April and 7 May.
In June we plan to run two residential Retreats with Roy Searle from the Northumbria Community:
a) Celtic Saints: Friday 24th – Sunday 26th June
b) Celtic Treasures: Monday 27th – Thursday 30th June
Details of both Retreats, including costs, will be available soon and will be on our website and circulated by email. If you are interested in either or both events please put the dates in your diary now.
February prayer gathering
Our next Friends of Sannox prayer gathering is at 8.00pm on Monday 7 February. We will be showing photos of the Church with its new chairs and of some of the Church history display boards, as we look forward to the special event on 12 February. We look forward to praying with as many of you as possible on Monday. Login details are;
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 835 0970 7503
Passcode: 736673
The Sannox Prayer
“Today I choose to stand in this place you have called me to,
And I declare that You are a Mighty God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
Your Kingdom shall endure and will never be shaken.
Open the windows of Heaven and pour out Your promised blessings in this generation.
Revive us, restore us and heal our land.
Thank you for going before us to open the way and remove all obstacles.
Increase our Faith, stir up Hope and keep us grounded and walking in Love.
Thank you that You are creating a dwelling place for God and man here – in Sannox, on Arran, for the nations.
Amen”
We bless you in the name of Jesus, to receive all that the Father has for you, and we thank you for your continuing support of His work at SCC. Be blessed and protected in all you do for the Kingdom, in the mighty and beautiful name of Jesus.