Rest for Southern Yemenis

Southern Yemeni Arabs number between 8 and 9 million people, and in general are less tribal and more educated than other segments in the country. If you meet a Yemeni outside of Yemen, chances are they will be from the South.

For years Elizabeth had prayed for her husband Nathan, who did not know about her faith in Christ. No one else except a worker family knew about Elizabeth’s faith. The worker family was also praying for Nathan as they showed him Christ’s love, shared The Message and read The Book together. They forgave Nathan when he stole from them and shared their food with their family when they were struggling financially.

During the most difficult and lowest points in Nathan’s life, he had a dream. A man in white, shining brightly, came and put a hand on his shoulder and said, “I know what you have been going through.” When Nathan asked what he should do the man pointed to someone in the distance and said, “Go ask him and listen to what he says.”   The next day, Nathan came and had made up his mind to follow Christ and wanted to know what to do.   Already Nathan has a desire to gather others around and give them the same thing he found – a Savior calling to the weary and burdened, “Come find rest for your souls.”

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11: 28-29)”

Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The eternal God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t grow tired or become weary. His understanding is beyond reach. He gives strength to those who grow tired and increases the strength of those who are weak. Even young people grow tired and become weary, and young men will stumble and fall. Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the LORD will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won’t become weary. They will walk and won’t grow tired” (Isaiah 40: 28-31).

For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish” (Jeremiah 31: 25).

Holy Lord Jesus, we pray for Nathan, his family, other new believers as well as for those who You know will become believers of Isa’al Masih, in Southern Yemen. We pray, generous Lord, from the wealth of Your glory, that you will give them Your presence and favor.  Please strengthen them in you. We pray that Christ will make his home in their hearts through faith; become dependent in Christ’s love, and be completely filled with your holy nature.