The live shows, which have been going on all week, start at 7:30pm on ITV and will feature John Archer on Wednesday.

The contestant, who turns 59 on the day of his next performance, merges comedy with magic, something he has been doing for years before auditioning for the reality show.

He has performed at the Christian festival Spring Harvest and visited churches, entertaining congregations with magic tricks and speaking about his faith. 

In the first round of the talent show Archer told the judges he ahd long considered auditioning: “I have thought about it and I’ve chickened out and so I got to the point this year where I thought, ‘face your fears and do it’ and so I’m here.”

If he gets through, he will be in the Britain’s Got Talent final, vying to be part of the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen. 

Well this is it… if you enjoy my bit tonight please vote, and tell your friends to vote, and tell your friends to tell their friends to vote, and tell… well you get the idea #BGT #VoteArcher Retweet! pic.twitter.com/y6FtqyB7LN

— John Archer (@TheArchini) May 29, 2019

 The comedian has spoken previously in interviews about how he came to faith after dating a Christian girl who dragged him along to church and later met a Christian friend at Art college who led him to committing to Christ. 

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A heavily armed gang on Sunday attacked a congregation as they worshipped in a church in the town of Toulfe, 240 km north-west of the capital Ouagadougou.

Barnabas Fund reported that local sources said the attack “caused panic in the village and many residents sought cover in their homes or in the bush”.

The latest attack brings the total death toll of Christians attacked by militants since 28th April to 20.

The terror began when a pastor, his son and four members of the congregation were executed after refusing to deny their Christian faith and convert to Islam.

Authorities said gunmen attacked a Catholic church in Dablo, about 200 kilometres from the capital and killed a priest and five worshippers, before setting fire to a health centre and destroying a shop that served alcohol.
 
Four people taking part in a church parade in Zimtenga were killed a day later.

The West African country has been increasingly destabilised by jihadists from across the border in Mali.

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Following the country’s independence in 1993, the one-part state has continued to suffer from conflict and severe drought, making it one of Africa’s poorest countries.

The UN’s Refugee Agency, UNHCR, reported that more than a fifth of Eritrea’s six-million people have fled, where indefinite military service is compulsory for all men.

According to Human Rights Watch, thousands are being held in prison without trial for holding contrary views to the government.

Violence and exploitation is causing ‘massive fleeing abroad’ according to the bishops, as many seek asylum overseas.

They are urging for a ban on hate speech, in an effort to restore peace.

The bishops’ plan is proposing to ‘establish a national commission to campaign for truth and reconciliation’ and to remove factors of tension and promote conversation and compromise.

Their pastoral letter stated: “At a time like this, when the country goes through severe tests, it needs more than ever an intervention of God.”

They concluded that through this plan they hope to achieve: “the fulfilment of our dream of an Eritrea united, reconciled and founded on peace and justice”.

The two major religions of Eritrea are Christianity and Islam, with a roughly 50% split.

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The ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ prayer initiative takes place from May 30 – June 9 and asks believers to intentionally pray for five people to come to know Jesus between the days of Ascension and Pentecost; the period that signifies Jesus returning to heaven before the gift of the Holy Spirit is given at Pentecost.

The Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, who originally gave the invitation to pray to the Church of England in 2013, asked Pope Francis to share his encouragements to those taking part in the initiative that has spread across Christian traditions and grown into an international call to prayer.

Pope Francis said: “This is the cry of all Christians,on the Day of Pentecost. Come Holy Spirit – the promise of the Father; the promise of Jesus, that the Holy Spirit might enlarge and widen our hearts.

To you, my brothers and sisters, with my brother Justin Welby, we want to tell you that we walk along side you in this prayer – thy Kingdom come.” He added.

This ‘prayer for five’ seeks to see more people encounter the love of God and the power of His Holy Spirit as they ask God’s kingdom to come into the lives of many.

Reflecting on the power of prayer, Archbishop William Temple said: “When I pray, coincidences happen; when I don’t, they don’t!”

The global prayer movement hopes to encourages Christians around the world to pray with increased faith and expectation for more…

In a Facebook post liked by more than 130,000 people, Graham said: “Along with 250+ Christian leaders, I am asking followers of Christ across our nation to set aside next Sunday, 2nd June, as a special day of prayer for the President, Donald J Trump.

“President Trump’s enemies continue to try everything to destroy him, his family, and the presidency. In the history of our country, no president has been attacked as he has.

“I believe the only hope for him, and this nation, is God.

“Time is short. We need to pray for God to intervene. We need to ask God to protect, strengthen, encourage, and guide the President.”

Graham, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, also asked his followers to indicate their commitment to pray.

He added: “Would you let me know in the comments below if you commit to pray with us?

Announcing Special Day of Prayer for the President – June 2 pic.twitter.com/IxtApdsjOI

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) May 26, 2019

“And will you share this on your social media platforms so that we can have as many people as possible praying?”

Many Facebook users pledged to answer the call to prayer.

Sandy Newsome commented: “Oh, yeah, I have always said, God has him where He wants him, for this time and for His purpose and plan I am definitely praying.”

However, others shared why they…

48-year-old Scott Farrell from Wouldham, near Rochester in Kent, appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court yesterday (May 28).

He pleaded guilty to three counts of gross indecency with a boy under 16, two counts of voyeurism and one count of taking indecent images of a child.

An investigation was launched by Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (CAISU) in November 2017 after they received allegations against Farrell.

It was alleged during his time as assistant organist for Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire between 1999 and 2001; he befriended some of the children under his supervision and, on occasions, invited them back to his flat.

At the time police were made aware of these allegations, Farrell was working as the director of music at Rochester Cathedral in Kent.

He was arrested and immediately suspended from his role while an investigation was carried out.

Detective Constable Claire Bamford, from Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s CAISU, said: “This has been a lengthy investigation spanning several counties and involved tracking down a number of victims and witnesses.

“I would like to thank the victims for coming forward and showing great bravery in speaking out about the abuse they suffered at the hands of Farrell.

“Hopefully this result will provide them with some level of closure and they can begin to put this part of their lives…