Yemen

Please pray over the news for Yemen!

General Information

Yemen FlagCapital: Sanaa      Population: 22,000,000      Religion: Islam

Muslim Background Believers: several hundred

Yemen is one of the oldest inhabited areas of the world. The country was once part of the Kingdom of Sheba (the famed Spice Route) whose queen brought rare and costly gifts to King Solomon. When Islam was born in the seventh century, Yemen was one of the first countries to follow the new religion and is home to two of the oldest mosques in the world.

For a number of years Yemen was divided. South Yemen was the world’s only Arab Marxist state. North Yemen was more traditional and tribal. After a brief civil war in 1994 the South was defeated and the country was united.

Yemen is by far the poorest country in the Arabian Peninsula. Many Yemenis depend heavily on money earned by relatives working in other countries. During the Gulf War, those Yemenis working in Saudi Arabia were expelled, bringing an economic crisis. Some Yemenis have now returned to Saudi Arabia to work. Today Yemen continues to struggle with poverty and under-development.  Though most Yemenis live on farms or in small villages in the past, many, especially young people are moving to the cities. Illiteracy is among the barriers to the full penetration of the Gospel into Yemen.

Prayer Points

Though the numbers are growing, Yemeni believers face loneliness and constant pressure from relatives and authorities to recant. Pray that they will have courage and wisdom and that their numbers will increase.

Thank the Lord that audio and visual materials are being used to help those who are illiterate, hear the Gospel. Pray that  these tools will reach many people.

Pray for micro-business opportunities to enable local believers to be financially independent.

Thank God that more workers are coming to serve the people. Pray that they will find sensitive, viable ways to gain access to areas currently beyond reach of the Gospel.

Pray that God would give government leaders wisdom and that they would realize that the believers are a blessing, not a threat, to the country.

Many Yemenis listen regularly to Christian radio broadcasts as well as watch Christian TV shows. Pray that the Holy Spirit will capture the hearts of many Yemeni people through mass media.

Most Yemenis are addicted to qat, a mild narcotic, that depletes the people of their health and economic resources. Pray for healing from this addiction.Pray that they will desire the Holy Spirit to control their lives, not this drug.

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