This is how you are to bless the [people]. Say to them: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. So they will put My name on the [people], and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:23- 27, adapted).

This is an account of the plight of modern-day Sheba (Yemen), told by a Yemeni.

My name is Himyar. My beautiful land of Yemen, my home, and the home of my forefathers, once the prosperous and blessed nation from which the Queen of Sheba traveled to see King Solomon, now has the highest poverty rates in the region. The war and conflict, which began in 2014, has moved my country into extreme hardship and suffering. We, as a people, have a special bond with this land! The land of Sheba is so important to us. Although this is the last thing my sister would think of, she and her family want to leave Yemen because she lost her job and her income; there are no opportuni

There is not enough food for most people to survive, with a large proportion of the population struggling to access sufficient food, and this greatly affects women, children, and the internally displaced persons. People are scavenging in the rubbish to find food. The current situation is so painful.

Women have mainly been the ones getting water in the rural areas, and clean water has been a challenge. The war has made finding water even harder, as the conflict has damaged infrastructure and disrupted supply systems, leaving many without clean and safe drinking water.

Numerous schools have suffered damage or become inoperable, depriving children of access to education. Additionally, a significant number of teachers have not received their wages, compelling them to seek alternative employment, which affected the quality of the education offered. School curricula have also been changed in the areas under the rule of the Houthis. My relative’s child is missing out on school because his parents do not want to send him to government school as they are afraid that their child will be indoctrinated. At the same time, they cannot send him to a private school because they can barely afford to provide food on the table. I know of some other children who cannot go to school because their schools were bombed. This generation of Yemeni children will have very little education.


The ongoing conflict has led to a decline in economic activities, including the disruption of trade and reduced agricultural production. In the northern parts of Yemen, most of the government civil employees have not received salaries for many years. These factors have contributed to the poverty crisis. When my own father receives a salary (if he does), it is less than half a month’s salary every four to five months.

Himyar asks us to use the following blessings to fuel prayer for Yemen. Please add your own blessings as well.

Lord Jesus, in Your Holy Name, we bless Yemen:

For peace and reconciliation. Yemen, we bless you in the holy name of Jesus with wholeness. We ask the Holy Spirit to flow between these broken pieces, between the neighbors who are fighting this war, and the people who are not living in peace. May the blessing of the Holy Spirit come into these broken pieces and fix them together so that wholeness and new life can grow from this. We bless you with peace from the Prince of Peace that will cast out hatred. We bless you with love that will cast out fear and bless you with the joy that will end the grief and mourning. We bless you with freedom from corruption and freedom from Islamic extremism. We bless you with restoration and bless you with joy and unity among your people. We bless you with the healing of the hearts of your people. We bless you with health. We speak out God’s blessing over this land and over this people so the land may be filled with wholeness, and that peace may restore the country in the Holy name of Jesus.

For school children and school buildings. We bless the children and the schools of Yemen. Bless the physical school buildings that are throughout the country and renew them as places where children will be welcome once again. Bless the school buildings with healing, wholeness, peace, and safety. We bless these buildings to be restored--that the fear that is in the very bricks of the building will be gone and that it will be replaced with peace and love and wholeness. We bless these buildings to once again be filled with children who are going to learn even exponentially more than they would on a normal basis.

For the land of Yemen, the crops, and animals. We bless you with the healing of your land. We mourn the blood spilled on this land and bless the land to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus, the only effective atonement to deal with bloodshed. We curse all the landmines that have been planted. We bless your animals. We pray that they will multiply and be food for the people. We bless your land that it produces fruit. We bless your seeds so that there will be abundant growth of crops and much food for all the people.

For those in poverty and unmet basic needs: Yemen, we bless your poor with the blessings of enough to eat, clean water, a roof over their heads, and health. We bless you with humanitarian agencies to be able to work freely among you to provide this aid to your poor. We bless your government leaders with wisdom and care for their people, and the gift of kind donor nations and aid agencies to rebuild your country's infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, so that they may function effectively and provide the essential care which your people greatly need.

For the women of Yemen: We bless and speak love over the women of Yemen with the dignity that the Lord has given you. We bless you with all that the Lord has and really wants for you. We know He has so much for you, from all the goodness that comes out of His throne of grace. We bless men with the knowledge of how God sees His daughters.

For all the people of Yemen: We bless you with the revelation which leads to the knowledge of the living God and a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ from whom all blessings flow. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17).

Worship with us!: The Blessing by Kari Jobe. Jesus, pour out Your blessing upon Sheba! 

Matthew 18:14 Focus—‘Your Father in heaven does not want one of these little ones to be lost.’ 

Please bring these towns and villages before the Father:

Ghamda, Bukha district, Musandam region. Population: 715

Al-Jadi, Bukha district, Musandam region. Population: 613

Al-Jari, Bukha district, Musandam region. Population: 381

Fadgha, Bukha district, Musandam region. Population: 245

Tibat, Bukha district, Musandam region. Population: 125

Zaghi, Dibba Al-Bayah district, Musandam region. Population: 255