In March 2017, police arrested Cao San-Qiang (John Cao), a Chinese pastor known for his work among Myanmar’s poor.
Authorities charged Pastor Cao with “organising illegal crossings of national borders” and in 2018, sentenced him to seven years in prison.
Pastor Cao is married to an American citizen and is a long-time resident of North Carolina. He served as a missionary in Myanmar’s Wa State, transforming the lives of more than 2,000 impoverished minority children by building 16 schools, and worked to fight poverty in the region.
Pastor John Cao was able to meet with his mother a few days ago. Because of the pandemic, his mother was only able to see him via video link. He told her he prays daily for his brothers and sisters in Christ and everything going on in the world. He reassured his mother that he does not have to do field work, and that he has time to read and interact with other inmates. Cao’s mother reported that he looked well.
Sources: The Voice of the Martyrs USA, ChinaAid
- Thank the Lord for Cao’s good health and ask Him to continue to physically sustain Cao.
- Ask God to use Cao as a witness for the Gospel to fellow prisoners, guards and the authorities.
- Pray for Cao’s wife, Jamie Powell, and their sons, Benjamin and Amos. Pray they will not lose heart but continue to trust in the Lord’s timing and purposes.
Post your prayer in the comments below.
Thank you Lord Yeshua for the work that Pastor Cao has done for you and will continue to do. Bless him as he reaches fellow prisoners, guards and authorities with your gospel. We ask you to bless his wife and children also, and give them all the strength, peace and joy to endure and we pray that for Pastor Cao too. May you work in all their lives to bring about your perfect plan for them as a family.
Oh yes Lord, have mercy upon them to your glory!
Heavenly Father, we are grateful or the life and ministry and witness of Pastor Can and all those who serve with him. Continue to strengthen his faith while in prison and bless him with the filling of your Holy Spirit that he might testify with boldness and grace ti the person and work of your Son. Thank you for the good report from his mother and uphold her and his wider family that they too might be strong in the grace that is found in Christ Jesus.