YEMEN UPDATE: MORE ARRESTS AFTER SECRET BELIEVER WHO WANTED TO BE A WALKING BIBLE WAS TAKEN

There have been a further three arrests of Christians in Yemen, suggesting that the crackdown on believers in the country is showing little sign of abating.

The three church leaders were arrested and imprisoned over the weekend (11-12 April), adding to the more than 50 believers detained since around the turn of the year. The conditions of Yemeni prisons are known to be very dire, accompanied by harsh treatment.

The wave of arrests has already taken a huge toll on the church in Yemen, which is third on the World Watch List. Believers are fearful, and many meetings and activities have had to be halted, depriving our brothers and sisters of crucial fellowship and discipleship at an immensely testing time.

Please pray

• That the church in Yemen will continue to bloom even in the most difficult days.

• That God will strengthen His people in His own ways in these difficult days, renewing their faith and reminding them that He is on the highest throne no matter who is in power on earth
• That prisoners will be spared torture and extreme conditions, and for their physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual wellbeing
• For the family and friends of those in prison, that their hearts and minds will be calmed by the Prince of Peace

SECRET BELIEVER WHO WANTED TO BE A WALKING BIBLE HAS NOW BEEN TAKEN

16 February 2026

Please pray for a secret believer from Yemen who said he wanted to be a ‘walking Bible’ after he was ARRESTED in the recent crackdown against Christians in the country. 

“I will also be taken, there were vehicles with agents asking about me only a few days ago,” Majed* told Open Doors local partners towards the end of last year when the crackdown began. It was the last contact made with him.  

“Yes, it is a difficult season that we, as a church, are going through, but we are the children of the King of Kings. Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble, but He also promised us victory in Him, and this is what keeps us going.” 

For Majed, that included preparing for the inevitable. “I know it’s coming. In the meantime, I’m trying to memorise as many Bible passages and verses as possible. I want to be a walking Bible, so that wherever I’m taken, I can share about Jesus. May we be mirrors of our Saviour, in the way we speak and act.” 

Vanished but undiminished 

When local partners spoke with Majed, he shed light on what those in prison would be facing – and what he would likely encounter, too.  

“People I know very well are currently in pain, probably being tortured. Some are also scared, sitting in the dark prison cells. In my country, especially in this region [a Houthi controlled area], when someone is taken, they could vanish for months – three, eight, or even more – and we might not know anything about them until they’re released.” 

“God has called us to be salt and light, this is what I pray I can be,” he said. “May God use me. Just like He was with Paul and Silas in prison in Philippi, I know that He will be with me. And if He is with me, who can be against me? They can kill the body, yes, but I pray that the ministry does not stop, we need Yemen to be for Christ. May He reign over my country. 

“May God intervene, amidst the problems and pain, and may He comfort us. Even when we are caught, we pray the work will continue. Ask God to raise up others who will continue sharing His light with the Yemeni people, those living in the dark, they deserve to know Him.” 

A costly calling 

Prior to his arrest, Majid could have escaped, but he chose to remain, knowing that it could be immensely costly.  

“I could escape, but others can’t,” he shared. “My vision is to change Yemen, and I can’t do that from abroad. If we all leave, who will stay and continue? I can’t and won’t leave the people I love behind. 

“Yemen needs light, it has been living in darkness for decades. Pray that change may happen. Pray that what is happening now will open the eyes of my dearly beloved Yemenis. May they realise that there are Christians in Yemen who believe in Jesus. May our struggles push them to believe in Him.” 

Thank you for praying for our Yemeni family amidst this unprecedented crackdown. Majed’s unwavering faith is a testament to not only the strength of the church in Yemen, but also the impact of your faithful prayers. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.  

*Name changed for security reasons