Today we learn that a pastor has been in jail in Yemen most of 2026 and perhaps our first response is “There are pastors in Yemen?! How amazing! How brave! Glory to God that there are pastors in this incredibly difficult and important nation!”
A pastor and other Christians have been imprisoned in Yemen since early 2026. Pastor Jon has served Christ in Yemen for many years despite repeated threats on his life. In 2012, Islamist militants rushed into his church, and one held a gun to his head. He fully expected to die, but the militants did not kill him that day.
In early February 2026, Pastor Jon was arrested along with roughly two dozen other Christians who have been detained since. For three weeks, Pastor Jon’s wife didn’t know what had happened to him or if he was alive. Fortunately, she was able to see him and reported that his spirit is strong, but he has lost weight and his head has been shaved.
Heavenly Father, we admit to being astonished that there are pastors in Yemen! What a dangerous calling those men have! We thank you for raising up bold and faithful pastors to answer the call to be shepherds of your flock in the dangerous and lawless nation of Yemen. Please protect Pastor Jon and the other believers who have been imprisoned for the past four months. Sustain them physically and spiritually with your Word, and remind them that you are the same God who released Joseph, Jeremiah, Peter, Paul, Silas, and others from imprisonment so that they might continue the ministry plans you had for them. Please be near to Pastor Jon’s wife and allow her to be sustained and ministered to by other believers during her husband’s absence. Father, may those of us who have never experienced this type of imprisonment be embolden to pray and assist those who are experiencing this consequence now. We love you Lord and give you thanks that we are able to learn about Pastor Jon’s faithfulness. In the power of Christ we pray, Amen!
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” Acts 16:25-26
