Far right Front National leader Marine Le Pen is a strong candidate for the French presidency, according to a recent poll. Her main opponent will be François Fillon, a former prime minister, who has won the presidential nomination for the conservative party. He opposes multiculturalism and has called for a new understanding with Vladimir Putin's Russia. Ms Le Pen is adamant that the same anti-establishment anger which saw Britain vote to leave the EU and Americans elect Donald Trump could sweep her to power. Do the forthcoming elections spell the end of the Eurocrats’ dream?

After thirteen years of a struggling economy and unemployment at 40% among the young, 107,000 youth have left to seek work abroad. The average family income is less than it was in 2007. On 5 December Italy will vote in Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s referendum on constitutional reform. Mr Renzi has promised to resign if the referendum fails. Many believe that quitting would make way for the Eurosceptic Five Star Movement (M5S) to gain power. M5S was launched by Beppe Grillo, a youthful political rabble-rouser of the centre-left Democratic Party who proposes to limit the powers of the senate by cutting the number of senators from 315 to 100. All would be appointed (rather than elected as at present), and he would restrict their power to influence legislation. First Brexit, then Trump. Is Italy entering the west’s populist wave?

We see success in the arrests of key people in Germany’s Islamist terrorist arena, and the banning of the Salafist organisation calling itself ‘the true religion’. Plans for distributing the Qu’ran by this organisation under the banner ‘Read’ (which in German is the word ‘Lies’ but pronounced ‘Leese’) will not now be allowed. After the UK’s Brexit vote and the US election, Germans are asking the question, ‘What are YOU doing here, Lord?’ This is a time for us not only to pray for Germany, but also for the UK and the USA, and for God’s purposes for these three countries to be fulfilled through these events this year.

Faith and charity have long gone hand-in-hand. From international development to homelessness, faith-based charities can be found throughout the charity sector. Despite the diversity of issues these charities tackle, many see faith as a common thread that links them, bringing particular strengths: connections to the local community, relationships with hard-to-reach groups, and the presence of a large and motivated volunteer base. The environment for all charities is challenging, with reduced funding, increasing need and shifting public opinions - but faith and religion can bring another layer of complexity because of the changing role of faith in our society and the changing makeup of religious populations in Britain. While research into this and the influence of faith on giving, volunteering and communities exists, remarkably little is known about the effect of faith on how charitable organisations operate and what they can achieve.

The Bishop of Leeds has said some secularists ‘have a problem’ with religion being mentioned. A current brand of ‘intolerant’ liberalism in the UK is dismissive of the Christian faith. He made his comments after Theresa May said it is important that people can talk freely about their faith, following claims that some Christians dare not speak about Christmas. Bishop Baines said, ‘Clearly there are some Christians who are concerned about whether they are free to talk about their faith in a respectful and appropriate way in the workplace. Equally, there are plenty who are not Christians who think that Christians shouldn't, or think there is an issue around it. I call it religious illiteracy.’ The bishop said that some secularists are intolerant of Christianity, adding, ‘This can end up in some people trying to strip the religion out of Christmas.’

A National Day of Prayer took place on Wednesday, with congregations and presbyteries coming together to engage in praying together for the Church in Scotland and beyond. ‘Mission is an absolute paradox - we are tasked, by God, to do the impossible,’ said Free Church mission director David Meredith. ‘Our immediate context of ministry is an increasingly secular Scotland which sees no need of God. The majority of people rest in an indifference towards Christianity which morphs into antagonism if the gospel is presented firmly and with conviction. The power of God, which is accessed through Spirit-led intercessory prayer, can effect radical change in our communities. We began the day with an honest assessment that we have sinned, and that the “success” of many of our churches will be nothing but smoke and mirrors without the work of the Holy Spirit.’

A Ugandan pastor, severely injured by Islamic opponents of his faith, made an appeal for British Christians to help their persecuted brothers across the world. Umar Mulinde was badly burned by an acid attack outside his church. During a brief tour of the UK he spoke out - a challenge which coincided with reports of an assassination attempt on Baroness Caroline Cox in Nigeria by Fulani Islamic militants. Baroness Cox, a committed Christian, is a religious freedom campaigner and cross-bench member of the House of Lords. Umar’s plea also comes amid ongoing violence against Christians in Uganda. He warned, ‘Even in the UK, former Muslims who have converted to Christianity are not safe.’ He mentioned Nissar Hussain whose family had to be moved under police protection following years of harassment. ‘No country can say they are safe. It’s a matter of time. This is not prophecy; it’s reality. The UK is sitting on a time-bomb.’

Recently Prayer-Alert readers were asked to pray about the BBC reduction in Christian programming: http://www.prayer-alert.net/british-isles-ireland-pa-site/item/8828-bbc-reduction-in-christian-programming. This week BBC producer and presenter Roger Bolton said the BBC is ‘failing at a time of global crisis to take religion seriously’, adding, ‘it’s essential for the public, young people and immigrants to understand the crucial role of Christianity in the formation of British culture’. Many believe the BBC’s programming policy should reflect the core values of this nation - as unique to, and derived from, Christianity. They also believe that Christianity should be given more airtime than minority faiths. Bolton also said the lack of an experienced, dedicated head of religion and ethics was a strange contrast when BBC has ‘editors for almost everything under the sun’. Voice for Justice UK said this week, ‘Christianity has been ‘ideologically downgraded and marginalised in the media in recent years.’ They have now released a petition for Christians to sign on this issue, to be sent to the Government minister for culture, media and sport.

Corruption, family breakdown, immorality, poverty, debt, addictions, and crime affect and ruin people’s lives. Praise God that the Christian voluntary sector is doing much to alleviate needs and improve situations, but the Church also needs to develop a more powerful prophetic voice. Pray for Christians working in commerce, industry, government offices, NHS, social services, police, and wherever God has placed them, to speak out against injustice and corruption in the workplace and their communities. As the prophets were unafraid to say, ‘Woe to you who call evil good and good evil’, may we make our voices heard in the midst of today’s noises. Pray for a fresh anointing of power and love on intercessors to plead for our nation and the people around us. As we pray, ‘Lord, do something’, may we also pray, ‘Lord, what can I do?’

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is providing a daily online reflection throughout Advent. The Archbishop said, ‘I love Advent, it’s a wonderful season of watching and waiting.’ Across the country denominations and organisations like Bible Lands, Salvation Army, Embrace and many more provide carol services, carol sheets, tips for organising community carol services or outreach nativity services, all-age church resources, and prayer booklets. They also offer many creative ideas for talks, schools resources, and Christian craft activities. Please pray for all the variety of Christmas outreach events organised for 2016. Also, remember those who find Christmas a difficult and challenging season, and those spending Christmas at home alone, or worse still on the streets and without a home. Pray for organisations like Shelter, Alabare, Crisis at Christmas, and churches supporting and helping vulnerable people at this time of year. See also:-http://www.alabare.co.uk/