Pray for Yemen

About Yemen

The capital is Sana'a. People speak Arabic. The largest faith is Islam.

Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.

Prayer briefing for Yemen

Last updated November 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.

Current events

The war in Yemen has escalated sharply since the government, backed by Saudi Arabia, began a new offensive in early October. From 6 to 12 October Houthi missiles and drones struck airports in Riyadh, Abha and Dammam, killing at least 20 people. On 28 October the Houthi-run health ministry said Saudi-led airstrikes on a market in al-Hazm killed 14 people, and officials in Taiz appealed for help, saying the Houthis had tightened their siege of the city, which shelters about half of Yemen’s displaced people.

We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.

Leadership and politics

Yemen is divided. The internationally recognised government, based in Aden, is led by the Presidential Leadership Council under Rashad al-Alimi, with Shaya al-Zindani as Prime Minister since January 2026. The capital Sanaa and much of the north are run by the Houthi movement, led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, with Mahdi al-Mashat heading its Supreme Political Council. In January the government took back areas in the south held by the Southern Transitional Council.

We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.

Economic health

Yemen faces one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The UN says about 21 million people need aid in 2026, and about 18 million, more than half the population, faced worsening hunger early in the year, with pockets at risk of famine. Aid funding has fallen to its lowest level in a decade, and the World Food Programme ended its work in Houthi-held areas in January.

We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.

Social and cultural issues

Years of war have divided north and south, tribes and parties, and children suffer most from hunger and disease. Migrants and refugees from Ethiopia and Eritrea passing through Yemen face harassment and danger. UN staff have been held in detention in Sanaa. In May the two sides agreed a prisoner exchange of about 1,600 people, bringing hope to some families.

We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.

Spiritual landscape

About 99% of Yemenis are Muslim, about 65% Sunni and 35% Shia, in figures for 2020. Christianity reached Yemen in the fourth century, and there was once a Christian community in Najran. Today the Christians are a small number of Yemeni believers, mostly from a Muslim background, along with migrants from the Horn of Africa.

We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.

Religious freedom

Islam is the state religion, and the criminal code treats leaving Islam as a capital offence. Yemeni believers must keep their faith secret and can face danger from family, tribe and armed groups. Open Doors reports that pressure is highest in Houthi-held areas and ranks Yemen 3rd on its 2026 World Watch List.

We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.

Historical wounds

North and South Yemen were separate states until they united in 1990, and a civil war followed in 1994. After protests in 2011, the Houthi movement took Sanaa in 2014, and a Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015. The UN estimated the war would cause over 377,000 deaths by the end of 2021, most of them young children, from fighting, hunger and disease.

We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.

Let us pray together

Our Father, we come to You together for Yemen. Stop the fighting, protect civilians on every side, and bring food, water and care to the hungry and the sick. Give all who hold authority in Aden and in Sanaa wisdom, integrity and justice, and turn their hearts towards peace. Provide for every family, and let aid reach all who need it. Protect children, migrants and detainees, and bring reconciliation between north and south. Let Your hope and truth be made known, and keep every believer safe and free to worship. Heal the deep wounds of war and lead Yemen in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sources

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