Leeds Lent Prayer Diary 2021

Welcome to the 2021 online edition of the Leeds Lent Prayer Diary, brought to you by Leeds Christian Community Trust Project working in close partnership with Leeds Church Institute (LCI). Our theme this year is HOPE.  It’s been a tough year but our hope remains in God through Jesus Christ and we can be confident that God’s promises will be fulfilled.   For the 40 days of Lent, we will be featuring details of a different Leeds project each day. 

We ask for your prayers for the work of each project to bring new signs of life, hope and transformation to the lives of individuals as well as to the city.  Thank you for praying with us.

Easter Sunday: 4th April – Andrew Grinnell’s reflection on HOPE

Easter Sunday: 4th April – Andrew Grinnell’s reflection on HOPE

HOPE for Easter Sunday It’s a fair claim that 2020 united governments, organisations, faiths and people in hope. We all hoped the virus wouldn’t reach our shores, that our health care provision would be enough, and that a vaccine would be discovered. As we reached the...

Day 40: 3rd April – Home for Good

Day 40: 3rd April – Home for Good

Home for Good Home for Good is a Christian charity that aims to encourage individuals to care for the vulnerable children of Leeds through fostering or adopting, and equips churches to support these families. During the pandemic many children in complex family...

Day 39: 2nd April – Thrive

Day 39: 2nd April – Thrive

Thrive Today we ask you to pray for the work of Thrive Leeds, a partnership of local churches who share faith and community with children, young people and their families in Meanwood and Chapel Allerton, through Messy Church, youth groups and schools work. It has been...

A Good Friday Reflection – by Dr Charlotte Naylor Davis

A Good Friday Reflection – by Dr Charlotte Naylor Davis

Good Friday Good Friday is the darkest point of Holy week, the disciples watch their saviour fall, put to death for his words of justice and hope for all people. This year has led many of us to places of despair and loss while engaging similar issues. In the midst of...

Day 38: 1st April – Space

Day 38: 1st April – Space

SpaceSpace provides weekly groups, led by volunteers from churches across Leeds, for young people who are too old for Kidz Klub. We focus on developing these youngsters in all aspects of life and empowering them to make the best choices towards a better future. We...

Day 37: 31st March – Kidz Klub Leeds

Day 37: 31st March – Kidz Klub Leeds

Kidz Klub LeedsKidz Klub are a children’s charity working in partnership with churches to see lasting transformation through the love of God for the most vulnerable unreached children, their families and communities in Leeds. Our heart shaped logo reflects the beating...

Day 36: 30th March – Schools of Sanctuary

Day 36: 30th March – Schools of Sanctuary

Schools of SanctuarySchools of Sanctuary is a network committed to supporting young people seeking sanctuary in the UK, creating a culture of welcome, and raising awareness of the issues faced by refugees and asylum seekers.  Schools play a crucial role in helping...

Day 35: 29th March – Missional Generation

Day 35: 29th March – Missional Generation

Missional GenerationMissional Generation have been encouraged over the time of the pandemic to see young people from across the city taking roles of leadership as the Church has increased its digital footprint. It has been a joy to see young people leading worship,...

Day 35: 29th March – Horsforth Churches Community Outreach

Day 35: 29th March – Horsforth Churches Community Outreach

Horsforth Churches Community OutreachPlease pray for Horsforth Churches Community Outreach Project, supporting the shared witness of God’s people to the community of Horsforth. This last 12 month has been about looking to God and asking “what can we do?” to bring...

Day 34: 27th March – Lighthouse

Day 34: 27th March – Lighthouse

LighthousePlease pray for Lighthouse West Yorkshire a fresh expression of church which reaches out to those who are battered and bruised by the storms of life, such as homelessness, addiction, offending and mental ill health. We offer a safe haven, a place of...

Day 33: 26th March – Leeds City Mission

Day 33: 26th March – Leeds City Mission

Leeds City MissionFor 184 years, Leeds City Mission (LCM) has been bringing light to people in darkness across the city of Leeds.   LCM ministers to those at the margins bringing gospel hope amidst darkness and despair.LCM ministries include: Chaplaincy: Work with...

Day 32: 25th March – Rothwell

Day 32: 25th March – Rothwell

RothwellPlanned joint churches evening prayer services did not take place in 2020 owing to the restrictions, and the Pentecost Prayer walk also couldn’t take place except with two people from one household! Please pray that these plans can go ahead in the future, and...

Day 31: 24th March – Leeds Methodist Mission (LMM)

Day 31: 24th March – Leeds Methodist Mission (LMM)

Leeds Methodist Mission (LMM) Please pray for LMM, a city centre project focusing on creativity, activism, wellbeing and contemplation. We love to create spaces that reflect these themes and bring people to greater connection with one another, creation as a whole and...

Day 30: Tuesday 23rd March – Growing Old Grace-fully

Day 30: Tuesday 23rd March – Growing Old Grace-fully

Growing Old Grace-fullyToday we ask you to pray for the work of Growing Old Grace-fully.  We are a small charity working across the Diocese of Leeds (Catholic focus but also in wider partnership). We aim to enable Later Life Friendly parishes and churches, improving...

Day 29: 22nd March – Gather Leeds

Day 29: 22nd March – Gather Leeds

Gather LeedsGather Leeds has continued to function throughout this pandemic. We ran 2 networking events in April and May, which enabled us to hear reflections on the activities of Churches and Christians involved in various spheres such as the NHS, Schools, Business,...

Day 28: 20th March – Christians in Politics

Day 28: 20th March – Christians in Politics

Christians in PoliticsChristians in Politics (Leeds) has been able to develop during this Coronavirus Pandemic. In late March and early April we started our Left and Right Leaning gatherings, which happen termly and provide space for people to talk through sensitive...

Day 27: 19th March – Pray for Leeds (P4L)

Day 27: 19th March – Pray for Leeds (P4L)

Pray for Leeds (P4L)Pray for Leeds has continued to coordinate Prayer throughout the pandemic praying for hope and God's hand to be on our city, nation and world at this challenging time. On the 13th / 14th March we held a moving 24 hours of prayer hosted physically...

Day 26: 18th March – Transformations Leeds

Day 26: 18th March – Transformations Leeds

Transformations LeedsOur work has changed dramatically this past year as there’s been a dramatic reduction in the number of international students in Leeds and our regular meetings were cancelled. However God has opened up new opportunities as we went online. Firstly,...

Day 25: 17th March – Inclusive Christian Movement

Day 25: 17th March – Inclusive Christian Movement

Inclusive Christian MovementPlease pray for his university group providing a safe space for students, welcoming people to follow Jesus and build better relationships with each other and with our world. We welcome students of all denominations and are an LGBTQI...

Day 24: 16th March – People of Peace

Day 24: 16th March – People of Peace

People of PeaceCrossgates Community is a small faith community in East Leeds closely linked with Revive Baptist Church and Connecting Crossgates . In the last three years we have grown from 4 to around 25 including new Christians and those exploring faith.  We saw the...

Day 23: 15th March – Torch Trust

Day 23: 15th March – Torch Trust

Torch TrustPlease pray for the work of the Torch Trust, a Christian organisation serving those with sight loss and producing Christian literature in Braille, large print and audio. The Leeds group meets on the third Saturday of each month from 2.30– 4.30pm at City...

Day 22: 13th March – Kinder Leeds

Day 22: 13th March – Kinder Leeds

Kinder Leeds Hope is much stronger than fear. During the challenging times of this pandemic many of us have chosen to notice, share and create bright glimmers of hope which shine a light on our human solidarity. Acts of kindness, compassion and wellbeing are all such...

Day 21: 12th March – Leeds Methodist Homes

Day 21: 12th March – Leeds Methodist Homes

Leeds Methodist Homes (MHA)Today we ask you to pray for the work of MHA, who work with over 2,900 people across Leeds enabling them to ‘Live Later Life Well’ through community-based services and activities. We thank God for all who have supported us through the...

Day 20: 11th March – The Wren Bakery

Day 20: 11th March – The Wren Bakery

The Wren BakeryPlease pray for The Wren Bakery , who work with women in Leeds who face multiple barriers every day. We offer a training programme of baking and barista skills, in a safe, relational environment, to enable women to build confidence and take steps...

Day 19: 10th March – Wellsprings Together

Day 19: 10th March – Wellsprings Together

Wellsprings TogetherPlease pray for Wellsprings Together, a joint venture between the Church Urban Fund and the Anglican Diocese of Leeds. We want to see a movement of faith-inspired social action which will enable people and communities to flourish. Building on the...

Day 18: 9th March – Mary’s Meals

Day 18: 9th March – Mary’s Meals

Mary's Meals Please pray for the work of Mary’s Meals that we are able to reach more of the world’s poorest children with a nutritious daily meal in their place of education. We give thanks for the generosity of all our supporters and volunteers who help make our work...

Day 17: 8th March – St Vincent de Paul Society

Day 17: 8th March – St Vincent de Paul Society

St George's Crypt Today we ask you to pray for St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP).  SVP Conferences in Leeds assist people in fuel poverty, provide food, offer befriending and access to other support. We seek to serve anyone in need so that they can stand tall...

Day 16: 6th March – Leeds Street Angels

Day 16: 6th March – Leeds Street Angels

Leeds Street AngelsToday we ask you to pray for the work of Leeds Street Angels. Our teams help people to stay safe in the night life of Leeds. In March 2020 we had to postpone our patrols and 2020 has been challenging as we’ve sought new ways to be out in the city...

Day 15: 5th March – Leeds Food Aid Network

Day 15: 5th March – Leeds Food Aid Network

Leeds Food Aid Network Please pray for the work of Leeds Food Aid Network.  Food providers across the city have done a brilliant job to meet the need of food insecurity and bring hope to many during this pandemic. Give thanks for so many generous people and a...

Day 14:  4th March – Leeds Homeless Charter

Day 14: 4th March – Leeds Homeless Charter

Leeds Homeless CharterPlease pray for people who are currently experiencing isolation, and thank God for the volunteers willing to give their time to support them. In one of our recent Charter Action Groups, a man shared about how he wanted to give up...