Praying for Leeds: Your Kingdom Come

Praying for a city moves our attention beyond our own immediate concerns. Jesus’s model prayer asks for God’s name to be honoured, his kingdom to come and his will to be done. It also brings daily needs, forgiveness and protection before God. These themes give us a thoughtful way to pray for Leeds.

Bible readings: Matthew 6:9–13; Jeremiah 29:7; 1 Timothy 2:1–2; Micah 6:8

The full passages are printed beside the teaching below. Scripture quotations use the World English Bible British Edition (WEB), a public-domain translation in modern English. The reflections, exercises and prayers are original ANCC material.

Read and reflect

Matthew 6:9–13 — WEB

9 Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

10 Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

13 Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

Jeremiah 29:7 — WEB

7 Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”

1 Timothy 2:1–2 — WEB

1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men,

2 for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.

Micah 6:8 — WEB

8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Read Matthew 6:9–13. Notice the shared language: our Father, our bread, our debts and our deliverance. Prayer can remind us that other people’s needs matter alongside our own.

Jeremiah 29:7 addresses people living in exile and calls them to seek the welfare of the city where they live. Their setting is not identical to modern Leeds, but the instruction challenges us to care about the place we inhabit. Read 1 Timothy 2:1–2 alongside it: public life and those with authority belong within prayer.

Praying for God’s kingdom is not permission to control neighbours or treat people of another faith as projects. Micah 6:8 directs attention towards justice, mercy and humility. Let prayer shape respectful conduct and practical care.

Seven prompts for the coming week

Neighbours: Pray for people on your street or in your accommodation. Learn a name and offer a respectful greeting.
Families: Pray for children, parents, carers and people living alone. Ask someone what support would actually help.
Students: Pray for learning, friendship and wise support during pressure. Include those away from home for the first time.
New arrivals: Pray for people settling in Leeds, including migrants and refugees. Offer clear information rather than making assumptions about their story.
Work and daily needs: Pray for employment, fair treatment and people facing hardship. Consider one practical way to help through an appropriate local organisation.
Public service: Pray for healthcare workers, teachers, emergency services and public leaders. Ask for wisdom, integrity and care for those most easily overlooked.
Churches and peace: Pray for Christian communities to serve with humility and for neighbours to live together with respect. Review one act of care you can continue.

An original prayer for Leeds

Our Father, may your name be honoured in the way we live in Leeds. Let your kingdom shape our love, honesty and concern for justice. Provide for people facing daily need. Help us seek forgiveness, practise mercy and protect those at risk. Give wisdom to those who serve our city. Teach ANCC to listen, care and point people towards Jesus with humility. Amen.

Prayer does not guarantee a particular political outcome or replace responsible action. You can pray about a concern and also volunteer, seek advice or use appropriate civic channels.

Reflection and a next step

Whose needs do I rarely include in prayer?
What have I assumed about a neighbour without listening?
Which small act of care can accompany this week’s prayers?

Use one prompt a day or choose one for a short group prayer. Ask permission before sharing names, health information or personal circumstances. General prayers can be meaningful without revealing private details.

Continue exploring

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