Jonathan Cain of Journey says in a new interview that his most popular songs, including Faithfully and Open Arms, were inspired by God and, in retrospect, make reference to God. Cain, a Christian, is credited with writing Don’t Stop Believin’ (1981), Faithfully (1983), Open Arms (1981), and Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) (1983), all of which are still popular four decades later.

Cain claims he didn’t realize God was behind the songs until after his father died in 1987.

“I was devastated when my father died,” Cain said in a new video for I Am Second, a non-profit organization that spotlights well-known Christians. “I didn’t think I’d be able to continue because I always wrote for him, and I said everything I did, every note I play, I can trace back to my father.”

“And then God spoke to me as I sat weeping on the piano.” ‘No, Jon, it’s been me,’ said [God]. Hello, my name is Jon. It’s always been Me via him. I am the originator. Jon, I’m the source of it. You’ve pleased me.’ I exclaimed, ‘Oh, man. How did I overlook that? ‘”

Cain claims that several of the songs have a double meaning.

“I’m yours forever, Lord, faithfully,” he said.
“Lord, I come to you with open arms,” he said, referring to the song from 1981.

“It opened my eyes to the transcendence of [the] Father reaching down to his son via his natural father,” he explained.
Meanwhile, in the new video, Cain discusses his childhood and adolescence. He credits God with saving him during two near-death experiences as a child, the first when he nearly drowned and the second when he survived a 1958 Chicago Catholic school fire that killed 92 students and three nuns.

His father encouraged him to pursue a musical career.

“You know, son, you were saved for something greater than that [and] that must be music,” Cain explained.

 

“… My father was the one who told me not to give up hope. A car struck my dog. It was heartbreaking. I also needed money to pay the vet bill. And I had to call him, and I despise having to ask him for money. But I asked, ‘Dad, should I give up on this music dream and return to Chicago and forget about it?’ There was a brief moment of silence. ‘Jon, this is your vision,’ he said. No, you’re not going home; stick with it.Don’t give up hope.’ And I jotted it down in my little lyric book when I was writing lyrics.” And it wasn’t until five years later that [bandmate] Steve Perry asked, ‘You got another song?’ ‘Well, let me look at my book,’ I said. And, indeed, that is what Dad had said.”
Cain believes the song played a significant role in Journey’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Cain now directs the music at his church.”I never thought I’d get back in church and sing, but the music started pouring out of me,” Cain said. “Now I understand that my worship music is my way of being grateful. … I think that we all need to know that it’s not too late. … He’s a good God.”