The following is based on a letter that Jan Gordon, who heads up praying for Alpha in France, wrote this to me in 2015, together with an update. Her points remain relevant!

Jan writes, ‘We get tired of hearing the British speak of the darkness of France! Have they not seen their own nation? The darkness is undoubtedly increasing here – as it is everywhere – but light is also increasing too as more and more small groups grow up – the lights of the fires that have so many prophecies concerning France have mentioned in the last few decades…

The election of François Hollande was definitely a catastrophe for France, as he pursued a strong secularist agenda.

Our small part of the world is, a very interesting region spiritually speaking and certainly key in the Lord’s plans for France. So many French people have no knowledge of the many thousands who were killed here in the most atrocious ways at the time of the French Revolution (it is not taught in schools in France). Despite the denial of the French authorities for so long, a law was drafted recognising that a genocide took place in the Vendée.

Unfortunately, this did not get passed into legislation: disappointing but hardly surprising. France, ‘The Land of Exile and Human Rights’ can hardly afford to acknowledge that it is also a land of genocide!

No matter what is said in secular circles, the Vendée people of that time loved their God and were ready to die for Him. The blood of the martyrs has been shed in this region. Even today that passion can be found and although it is sadly often tainted by traditional practice and religiosity, nowhere in France have we attended mass with the churches so full, with as many men as women present, singing their hearts out and praying fervently . . .

In the last decades of the 20th Century many British ex-pats came to settle in France to enjoy la belle vie, but many returned to the UK when they could no longer afford to live here. As a result, those who chose to stay did so for their love of France and the French – and many of these were Christians. Although many do not necessarily understand exactly the role they are called to play here, their very presence in different towns and villages brings God’s light to the place. Others are well aware of the call of their life, and these people often play key roles, praying for their region, witnessing to those around them, ministering to them and organising Christian events that help to develop that sense of Christian fellowship which France so badly needs.

We have personally witnessed a considerable increase in Christian unity – or harmony as we prefer to call it, to draw on the inspiring example of an orchestra, in which each section plays its part for the piece to sound as it should.

Sadly, ex-pats from a number of nations unknowingly, work against the Lord’s plans in this respect. Certain well-intentioned Christian organisations are unwilling to recognise that many Catholics can be saved, that the Catholic Church does bring an evangelical witness (though not in the way they do) and are not prepared to work with them, believing rather that these people need to come out of their church, and follow and serve the Lord in their new denomination.

I consider myself to be an Evangelical but weep at the damage we do when we fail to recognise the ways the Lord by which the Lord is leading His people.

Alpha is flourishing in both the Catholic Church and in certain Evangelical Churches, though some refuse to take part in it because the ‘Catholics’ are using it!

The Lord’s future for France (and elsewhere in the world, of course) requires Christian unity and harmony if we are to battle against the many evils we face today. The French are a passionate people and when we see them worshipping, when we experience the enthusiasm of the young people, when we hear them sharing about their faith, testimonies of people coming out of addiction and witchcraft. We are encouraged.

We know that others are seeing in their region what we are seeing here, but we also know that the enemy is hard at work. It is so easy for him to blind the minds of a people who are bound by the strongholds of humanism, secularism, Cartesian thinking etc. Etc.!

We may lose battles but He will win the war!
With our blessings,
Jan & Bill Gordon

Jan adds:
On re-reading this ten years later, I do think things concerning Christian unity are improving although I have had several interesting conversations which I hoped would prove to be fruitful but which in fact led to little. On challenging one well-known ministry, I was told that it was difficult to speak openly on Christian unity with the Catholics as both their financial and prayer support was predominantly Evangelical.

As you know our ministry has been very much one of reconciliation and, as a Catholic/Protestant couple, we have been the target for some hard words and experienced some difficult times. I have to say that this has lessened as the years have passed and, although we still experience much more grace from the Catholics, there has also been movement in the right direction from Protestants and Evangelicals.

Since the Covid lockdown, I (Jan) have become very involved with Alpha France, particularly concerning prayer and intercession. Alpha is proving to be a truly important tool for Christian unity and it is a joy to pray most mornings with Spirit-filled National Alpha leaders who are also Catholics.

It’s also important to mention the changes Brexit has brought about. We do feel more cut off from the UK, and many British expats who were living here in France have returned to the UK, whilst second-home owners are required to limit their length of stay and apply for a temporary long-stay visa.

Of course, as of today, we are faced with a new parliament and the many challenges this will bring. It is early days and whilst we praise God for the setback the Rassemblement National or National Rally received, there are many uncertainties as to the future. We were not surprised by this ‘defeat’ – many French people will do anything to prevent a Fascist party coming to power. It’s not the first time this has happened (Le Pen v Chirac 2002).*

It is going to take much grace for this political situation to outwork itself peacefully in the aftermath of this deeply divisive election. Clearly a matter for prayer.

Photo by Rodrigo Kugnharski on Unsplash