Pastor John Cao’s poem, From Over the Mighty Waters, recounts treasures that neither the Chinese Communist Party nor prison can take away

Pastor John Cao, author of From Over the Mighty Waters.
(Photo: ChinaAid)
(ChinaAid Association—Dec. 14, 2020) Pastor John Cao, a U.S. permanent resident currently serving a seven-year prison sentence,* encourages others through poetry that in addition to Jesus’ promise He will never leave nor forsake His children, He gives treasures no “thing” can take away.

From Over the Mighty Waters** 

You can take away my freedom, 
but you can’t take my prayers. 
My prayers have wings 
and leap over 
the towering iron mesh wall. 
Many brothers and sisters 
have heard them. 
They fly freely every day 
and reach Heaven 
above the blue sky. 
You can impose 
heavy punishments on me, 
but you cannot hold 
My spirit and my soul. 
Like cheerful yellow birds, 
Raise gentle praises 
Over the iron gate. 
My Savior hears my voice. 
You can deprive me of the sun 
and of warmth. 
I eat cold leftovers every day, 
But you can never 
Extinguish the brightness 
that the Lord placed in my heart. 
Greetings 
from all over the world 
Warm my heart. 
My passion flutters. 
Do you think that I am lonely? 
In your 70 years of persecution, 
Have you ever seen 
any Christian walking alone? 
Turning onto the history of the millennium, 
which page does not reveal 
Christians suffering with joy for the Lord? 
Which page does not show 
His blood sprinkled 
on the narrow path of thorns? 
You think that the walls around me 
block my vision 
and make me uncertain 
of the direction. 
I never focus on my environment, 
but with my eyes. 
I look up. 
You, like one blind riding on a horse, 
thinking that everyone crosses the river 
by feeling the stones. 
Therefore…
The rod of my Shepherd 
Comforts my heart, 
and my Lord helps 
and leads me to move forward. 
The National Party jailed your ancestors. 
How can I not endure your hard labor? 
I really love you 
and long for you to repent. 
Like Paul, I wish that 
I myself were cursed 
and cut off from Christ 
for the sake of my brothers, 
for those of my own race. 
You see me 
as an irreconcilable enemy 
and thrust me 
into the meat grinder. 
Still…, 
I regard you as my blood brother, 
Not because I fear you, 
but…,
because Jesus loves you. 
Therefore…, 
I love you. 
             ~ John Cao 

*Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities arrested and charged Pastor Cao, known for his work among underprivileged communities in Myanmar’s Wa [an autonomous region within Myanmar (Burma)] State, and charged him with “organizing illegal crossings of national borders” in 2017.

When his mother and sister could finally visit him for the first time on July 25, 2019, Pastor Cao comforted them. Later, in response to his application to be moved to a prison in Kunming to make it easier for his 82-year-old mother who lived 800 miles away, CCP authorities transferred him there. On August 29 of this year, Pastor Cao’s mother traveled to Kunming and remained for one and a half months trying to see him. Due to the government’s pandemic regulations, however, Pastor Cao’s mother did not get to visit him. 

** From Over the Mighty Waters (previous post), to be included in Pastor Cao’s forthcoming book sharing his poetry, reflects the Lord’s majesty Psalm 29:3 (NIV) proclaims:

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; 
the God of glory thunders, 
the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
(Photo: ChinaAid)

China Aid exposes abuses in order to stand in solidarity with the persecuted and promote religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law. If you wish to partner with us in helping those persecuted by the Chinese government, please click the button below to make a charitable donation.


ChinaAid Media Team

Cell: +1 (432) 553-1080 | Office: +1 (432) 689-6985 | Other: +1 (888) 889-7757

For more information, click here

News
Read more ChinaAid stories
Click Here
Write
Send encouraging letters to prisoners
Click Here
Previous slide
Next slide

Send your support

Fight for religious freedom in China

Pastor John Cao’s poem, From Over the Mighty Waters, recounts treasures that neither the Chinese Communist Party nor prison can take away

News
Read more ChinaAid stories
Click Here
Write
Send encouraging letters to prisoners
Click Here
Previous slide
Next slide

Send your support

Fight for religious freedom in China

Scroll to Top