Yemen Christians Ask for Prayer
Church leaders in the Arabian Peninsula, along with Middle East Concern, have requested prayer for the country of Yemen, including its Christian communities, following the destruction of a Catholic church building in Aden amid the current warfare.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Aden was badly damaged in May, and, on Wednesday 9th December, further damage was caused when militants detonated explosives inside the church. Although the walls are still standing, the roof was totally destroyed.
There are unconfirmed reports that local people tried to protect the church.
The church was used for Mass on Saturday evenings until late March 2015, when the ongoing conflict made it impossible to have services there. The damage in May was done during air strikes by Saudi-backed forces targeting Houthi rebel positions.
The ongoing conflict has led to a deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with at least 5,700 people, almost half of them civilians, killed in air strikes and fighting on the ground, and more than 21 million people – four-fifths of the population – now requiring aid.
Church leaders in Yemen request our prayers in the following areas:
- For the small remaining expatriate Christian community in Yemen, that they will know the Father’s comfort and strength, and the Son’s close presence
- For peace and justice to be restored in Yemen.
- For humanitarian aid to reach all who are in need.
- For all Christians in Yemen to know the Spirit’s guidance in every aspect of their life and witness.
Isaiah 58 vs 12: “Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.“
Source: http://www.meconcern.org
