Yemen is one of the most dangerous countries for Christians, according to the World Watch List, and another wave of severe persecution has begun there. Several believers have been imprisoned by the Islamic government and are being interrogated and tortured. Yet some Christians choose to stay. They refuse to leave the war-torn country and they continue to share their faith with others.
Friends in captivity
Every second feels heavier than the last. Majed* knows that one day there will be a knock on his door. A day when he will be taken away, interrogated, and perhaps tortured. “I will be arrested too,” he says with conviction. “A few days ago, officers came looking for me.”
Majed is not only afraid for his own future, but he also feels for his friends. “People I know well are now suffering. They are probably being tortured. They live in fear in their dark cells. In my country, especially in this region, someone can disappear for months without us hearing anything about them.” Yet Majed does not sit still. He comforts the families of prisoners and prays with them for peace, rest, comfort, and strength.
“I want to be a walking Bible so that, wherever they take me, I can share the message of Jesus with others.”
Prepared for imprisonment
When those closest to him are arrested, Majed knows that he is facing arrest too. “I know it’s coming,” he says. “In the meantime, I’m trying to memorise as many Bible verses as possible. I want to be a walking Bible so that, wherever they take me, I can share the message of Jesus with others. We can reflect our Saviour through our words and actions.”
Majed and his church family are eager to spread God’s light in a country longing for hope. “God has called us to be salt and light. That is my prayer. Just as He was with Paul and Silas in prison, I know that He will be with me too. And if He is with me, who can be against me?”
“I cannot and will not leave the people I love behind.”
Victory in Christ
Although Majed could flee, he refuses to abandon his friends, his brothers and sisters in Christ. “I could escape,” he says, “but others cannot. My vision is to change Yemen, and that cannot be done from abroad. If we all leave, who will stay to carry on the work? I cannot and will not leave the people I love behind.”
It is a frightening time for Majed, but also a period in which his faith gives him strength. He thanks God for the brothers and sisters around the world who pray for him and his church. “It is a difficult time for us as a church. But we are children of the King of kings. Jesus said that we would have problems in this world, but He also promised us victory in Him. That is what keeps us, and me personally, going.”
Yemen ranks third on the World Watch List.
Majed asks for your prayers:
- “Pray for my brothers and sisters who are being held captive.
- Pray for Yemen. My country has been living in darkness for decades. Pray for change, pray that people’s eyes will be opened, and that people see that there are Christians in Yemen who believe in Jesus and are willing to sacrifice everything for Him.
- Pray that God will raise up others to continue sharing His light with the people of Yemen. They live in darkness and have the right to know the Lord Jesus.
- Yes, the situation is bad. But let us pray that God will intervene and comfort us, and allow our work to continue, even if we are imprisoned.”
(* Pseudonym)
