Often big news stories can make us feel overwhelmed when it comes to pray. How do we contend for God’s will? How do we pray when the news cycle has moved on to the next big story? What’s the right thing to pray?

What’s happening in Yemen?

Yemen, one of the Arab world’s poorest nations, has been at civil war for the last seven years. War broke out between the Saudi-led coalition backing the official government and a rebel group called the Houthis. The war has only increased in violence this year, with air strikes intensifying.

All of this has a huge human cost: the United Nations have said the Yemen conflict has produced the largest humanitarian crisis in the world with 24.1 million people, 80% of the population, needing humanitarian aid and protection*.

19 million Yeminis will go hungry in the coming months with 160,000 facing famine-like conditions. More than 10,200 children have been killed or wounded as a direct result of fighting.

What can we pray for?

The 24.1 million people who need humanitarian aid
An international diplomatic solution an increase in funding to meet these escalating needs
For international and domestic leaders to be compelled to find a solution
For the perpetrators of violence to be held to account
For Jesus to draw close and comfort the families of innocent victims
That the temporary UN truce can continue

How can I pray?

Set a picture of the Yemen flag as your phone screensaver. Pause and take a moment to pray for the conflict every time you see it.
Gather a group of friends together and spend time talking and learning about Yemen. You could even have a Yemeni inspired dinner! Then take time to pray for the country and people, contending for God’s kingdom to come in Yemen.
Take 10 minutes to pray for Yemen every day.
Each day, pray for a different aspect of the conflict. You could spend time praying for: the protection of Yemeni people; funding so adequate humanitarian aid is provided; wisdom for domestic and international politics; peace to reign and the conflict to end; the children affected by the conflict; the UN truce to continue; for displaced people to have a safe place to live in.
Print out a map of Yemen and pin it somewhere you see regularly: at your desk, on your bedroom mirror, at the kitchen sink. Every time you look at it, take time to pray for Yemen, focusing on different geographical areas.
Print out pictures of the Yemen government leaders and Houthi leaders. Take time to pray for them: for a change in heart, for wisdom, for them to develop a desire for peace.
Write a prayer for Yemen and post it on social media, inviting others to do the same.