Yemen: #5 Most Dangerous Nation for Christians

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

As we prepare for Sunday’s International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, let’s lift up our brothers and sisters facing extreme violence, persecution and hunger in Yemen, ranked #5 on Open Doors’ World Watchlist of most dangerous countries in the world for Christians to live.

These days, Yemen’s Houthis have been in the news for their attacks against international ships and also against Israel. But for the past decade, up until 2022’s truce, a brutal civil war between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels caused over 150,000 deaths. A further 227,000 died as a result of famine and lack of healthcare facilities due to that war. In addition, more than 4.5 million people are now displaced, and 21.6 million acutely need humanitarian assistance and protection.

But even before Muslims fought against Muslims in that terrible war, Yemen already suffered as the poorest nation in its region.

As great as the Yemenis’ earthly need is for food and safety, they face a far greater eternal need. With 20 unreached people groups and about 99.7 percent of the population adhering to Islam, few have ever heard the good news about Christ. Those who convert to Christianity face torture, imprisonment and death, and women also face rape and forced marriage to Muslim men.

In Yemen, “it is illegal to convert from Islam to Christianity,” Open Doors writes. “Yemeni Christian converts are at great risk of being killed, not just ostracized or expelled, by their families, clans and tribes.

“Most believers from a Muslim background choose to practice their faith covertly. They cannot gather together, because of the growing fear that neighbors will report them to the local authorities. Displaying Christian symbols could lead directly to imprisonment, physical abuse or even execution.”

“When I came to faith, I thought I was the only believer in Yemen. For a long time, I didn’t know any other Yemeni Christians.”

Mohammed (Open Doors)

And yet, in the midst of hatred, death, war and hopelessness, many Yemenis are seeking Christ precisely because of the horrific evils perpetrated by Muslims.

Trey Hulsey, a consultant for Middle East ministries, says, “The Yemeni church is growing, and we can speak of a Yemeni Church confidently and tangibly now. That wasn’t the case, maybe even 10 or 15 years ago.” (Katey Hearth, Mission Network News, February 28)

Hulsey explains that the gospel message and teachings of Jesus are revolutionary in a place like Yemen. “Christ teaches us to love our enemies, not to hate them. In Yemeni culture, that is a completely new message.…Yemenis say, ‘My culture teaches revenge and an eye for an eye. And yet, these other people who claim to follow a Messiah are telling me different.’”

O Father God, please have mercy. Be a Shield around every believer and seeker in Yemen. Protect them from persecution and harm. Hide them from those bent on evil. When their persecutors come after them, open their eyes to see the angels guarding Your beloved children. Grip them with fear of the Lord so they will drop their weapons, fall to their knees before You in repentance and choose You as Savior. Give Christians courage to stand in the midst of so much fear, to love so fiercely throngs of Yemenis will hunger for Your love, peace and joy and seek You until they find You. Anoint every believer with Your words to draw the lost into Your arms. Rescue those in danger, comfort those who grieve, and connect Christians together safely so they will encourage one another in You. Please, O God, bring an end to this war. So many Yemenis have done unspeakable acts just to survive. Forgive them, Lord. They don’t know of Your love; they know only violence and death. Please get up in the face of every person and show them who You are. Give them a hunger for Jesus more desperate than all other needs. Then make the way for them to hear Your good news. Bring Christians into their path. Invade their dreams. Place Your name upon their lips. When they cry out to You, answer them. Perform signs and miracles and wonders to show them Your great love. Strengthen Christians’ faith and use them to shine so brightly in the midst of such terrible darkness all will see their peace and be drawn to You. Point out to them those who are in need, and empower them to rescue, heal, shelter, feed, encourage and counsel. Give them boldness to share Your Word, even in the face of death, and bless them abundantly. Multiply their food and other supplies so miraculously, the needy will know to come to them for help. O Father, Yemeni children have known only violence, fear and hunger. Have mercy, please. Intervene on their behalf. Heal their minds from so much trauma. Meet them in real and personal ways such that they know it is You. So many have been raped, maimed or forced to kill by those who care nothing for their lives. Rise up and be their Shield, O God. Block every evil aimed at them. Make the way for truth seeds to be planted in their hearts, grow roots, and sprout unto salvation. For You created them for special purposes — to know You, to enjoy Your great love, to love You back, and to draw others into Your arms through the power of Your love in them. Matthew 22:37-40. Raise up a new generation of Yemenis who will love You with all their hearts and lead their nation to salvation. Get Your Word translated into the language of every unreached people group, and make a way for every person to hear Your good news and respond. Awaken every heart in Yemen to You. Lift the veil from Yemeni eyes so they will see You are the One they’ve been waiting for.

Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:

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