easy essay on faith

100-Word Faith Stories: (Very) short essays about unexpectedly experiencing God in the world today

God is in all things. But we don’t always expect to feel God’s presence in a particular moment or place. We asked readers to share these stories of surprising moments of faith and grace in no more than 100 words. These (very) short essays about unexpectedly experiencing God in the world today include feelings of joy, sadness, laughter, anger and anything in between. They demonstrate the many ways in which God is with us, if only we would take the time to notice.

Two parents and four boys make a small house feel like a sardine tin packed with firecrackers. I had my eye on a larger fixer-upper nearby. But despite its apparent practicality and my eagerness, my husband wasn’t enthused. I suggested a quick attempt at discernment: Pray one Hail Mary while imagining we had settled on each choice, buy or stay.

We both felt God’s presence. The “Stay” prayer brought unwelcome but undeniable inner peace. “Buy” brought anxiety rather than excitement.

I could only respond, “Thy will be done.” Our house is cramped and noisy, but we’ll stay for now.  Jessica Carney Ardmore, Pa.

My sons and I were enjoying the wave pool at our local amusement park on a beautiful sunny day. There was the usual crowd of people—of different ages, from different neighborhoods and cultures—all enjoying the pool. I closed my eyes and was suddenly aware of the joyous cacophony. All the voices, screams and laughter of my siblings, my fellow children of God. I was awestruck, and with my eyes still shut, I smiled broadly, and I thanked God for that sudden grace of connection and awareness. Matthew Whelehan Rochester, N.Y.

My husband is a stroke survivor; I’m his caregiver. Ron has balance issues, garbled speech and swallowing difficulties. Once the primary breadwinner, Ron’s now on SSDI. I struggle to bring in money while handling the numerous responsibilities of caring for my husband and household.

Earlier today I read the abandonment prayer of the newly canonized St. Charles de Foucauld: “Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.”

I am now at peace. Jerilyn Burgess North Olmsted, Ohio

At my first holy Communion, when I was 7 in 1958, I came up to the altar and was so small I had to stand rather than kneel at the rail. The priest approached and put the host on my tongue. I felt drawn out of myself, forgetting where I was, feeling a sense of presence. It was like being a mini Samuel, and I said to the Lord, “Speak, for your servant is listening . ” My love for the Eucharist continues to this day. William Eagan, S.J. Weston, Mass.

I invited my all-white classmates to Mass at my Black Catholic parish. During Mass, my friend nudged me, “Lee, we’re the only white people here.” I responded, “Frank, how do you think…” but before I could finish my statement, Frank added, “Lee, I never thought about you that way.” The experience helped him to see my struggles as the only Black kid in our classes. We had just had a class that taught we were made in the image and likeness of God. We saw that in one another more clearly now. Lee Baker New Orleans, La.

As I walked a labyrinth, I couldn’t shake the image of playing hide and seek with God. Shrubs around the path made me alternately feel hidden and then exposed. I know God is always there waiting for me, but I often “hide.” I fear I haven’t done enough, or I’m not good enough to earn God’s love. But those doubts come from me, not God. Although I may think I’m hiding, God sees and loves me. When I embrace God’s unconditional love, I will grow into the person he created me to be. Cathy Cunningham Framingham, Mass.

Deep in grief as I grappled with my husband’s determination to divorce, God felt absent, my faith rocked. My friend, Sister Noreen, told me to read the Bible. I mocked her. Unfazed, she insisted: “Open it at random. What have you got to lose?” On March 19, as I opened a newly purchased Bible, I cried: “God where are you?!” My eyes fell upon Jer 29:11. “For I know the plans....” I can still feel the jolt that coursed through my body at that moment—in shock and joy—the first of many such moments since then. Mary Margaret Cannon Washington, D.C.

Most popular

Your source for jobs, books, retreats, and much more.

The latest from america

How Does the Bible Define Faith?

Faith is the fuel of the Christian life

• Inspirational Bible Devotions
• Christianity Origins
• The New Testament
• The Old Testament
• Practical Tools for Christians
• Christian Life For Teens
• Christian Prayers
• Denominations of Christianity
• Christian Holidays
• Christian Entertainment
• Key Terms in Christianity
• Catholicism
• Latter Day Saints

• General Biblical Studies, Interdenominational Christian Training Center

Faith is defined as belief with strong conviction; firm belief in something for which there may be no tangible proof; complete trust, confidence, reliance, or devotion. Faith is the opposite of doubt.

Webster's New World College Dictionary defines faith as "unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence; unquestioning belief in God, religious tenets."

What Is Faith?

• Faith is the means by which believers come to God and put their trust in Him for salvation. 
• God provides believers with the faith needed to believe in Him: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
• The entire Christian life is lived out on the foundation of faith (Romans 1:17; Galatians 2:20).

Faith Defined

The Bible gives a short definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1:

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

What do we hope for? We hope that God is trustworthy and honors his promises. We can be sure that his promises of salvation , eternal life , and a resurrected body will be ours someday based on who God is.

The second part of this definition acknowledges our problem: God is invisible. We can’t see heaven either. Eternal life, which begins with our individual salvation here on earth, is also something we do not see, but our faith in God makes us certain of these things. Again, we count not on scientific, tangible proof but on the absolute reliability of God’s character.

Where do we learn about the character of God so we can have faith in him? The obvious answer is the Bible, in which God reveals himself fully to his followers. Everything we need to know about God is found there, and it is an accurate, in-depth picture of his nature.

One of the things we learn about God in the Bible is he is incapable of lying. His integrity is perfect; therefore, when he declares the Bible to be true, we can accept that statement, based on God’s character. Many passages in the Bible are difficult to understand, yet Christians accept them because of faith in a trustworthy God.

Why We Need Faith

The Bible is Christianity’s instruction book. It not only tells followers who to have faith in but why we should have faith in him.

In our day-to-day lives, Christians are assailed on every side by doubts. Doubt was the dirty little secret of the apostle Thomas , who had traveled with Jesus Christ for three years, listening to him every day, observing his actions, even watching him raise people from the dead . But when it came to Christ’s resurrection , Thomas demanded touchy-feely proof:

Then (Jesus) said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27)  

Thomas was the Bible’s most famous doubter. On the other side of the coin, in Hebrews chapter 11, the Bible introduces an impressive list of heroic believers from the Old Testament in a passage often called the  "Faith Hall of Fame ." These men and women and their stories stand out to encourage and challenge our faith.

For believers, faith starts a chain of events that ultimately leads to heaven:

• By faith through God's  grace , Christians are forgiven. We receive the gift of salvation by faith in the  sacrifice of Jesus Christ .
• By trusting wholly in God through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are saved from God's judgment of sin and its consequences.
• Finally, by God's grace we go on to become heroes of faith by following the Lord into ever greater adventures in faith.

How to Get Faith

Sadly, one of the great misconceptions in the Christian life is that we can create faith on our own. We can’t.

We struggle to stoke up faith by doing Christian works , by praying more, by reading the Bible more; in other words, by doing, doing, doing. But Scripture says that’s not how we get it:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8–9). 

Martin Luther , one of the early Christian reformers, insisted faith comes from God working in us and through no other source: 

“Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever without faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do.”

Luther and other theologians put great stock in the act of hearing the gospel being preached:

"For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?' So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:16-17, ESV) 

That’s why the sermon became the centerpiece of Protestant worship services. The spoken Word of God has supernatural power to build faith in listeners. Corporate worship is vital to fostering faith as the Word of God is preached.

When a distraught father came to Jesus asking for his demon-possessed son to be healed, the man uttered this heartbreaking plea:

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” (Mark 9:24, NIV)

The man knew his faith was weak, but he had sense enough to turn to the right place for help: Jesus.

Faith is the fuel of the Christian life:

"For we live by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV).

It is often difficult to see through the fog of this world and beyond the challenges of this life. We cannot always feel God's presence or understand His guidance. It takes faith to find God and faith to keep our eyes on Him so that we persevere until the end (Hebrews 11:13-16).

• Book of Ephesians
• Meet the Apostle Paul: Christian Missionary Giant
• Do Babies Go to Heaven?
• 35 Bible Verses About Life
• Faith Is the Key - Hebrews 11:6
• The Best Spiritual Gifts to Give the Savior
• Who Is God the Father Within the Trinity?
• 21 Inspirational Bible Verses
• Say Happy Birthday With Bible Verses
• What the Bible Says About Becoming a Christian
• Are Christians Justified by Faith or by Works?
• The Benefits of Spending Time With God
• Christian Symbols Illustrated Glossary
• 26 Bible Verses About Change
• 25 Bible Verses About Grace
• Jesus Our Hope: A Christmas Devotional Reading

Spiritual Growth and Christian Living Resources

• BROWSE TOPICS X
• Devotionals
• Newsletters

What Is Faith and Why Is it Important?

• Carrie Lowrance Crosswalk Contributor
• Updated Jan 05, 2022

Faith. It’s a word we hear thrown around all the time. Keep the faith. Walking in faith. Having faith. So what is faith? Faith has several different definitions.

1. Complete trust or confidence in someone or something. 2. Strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than truth. 3. A system of religious belief. 4. A firmly held belief or theory

What Does the Bible Say About Faith?

The Bible says that faith is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance that the Lord is working, even though we cannot see it. Faith knows that no matter what the situation, in our lives or someone else’s, that the Lord is working in it.

The Hebrew word for faith is Emunah which means “support.” This is perfect because faith is like “the Lord’s support” to us because he is working in every situation for his glory. Regardless of what we think, He always knows best, and there are many times we have to see by faith and not our own eyes.

5 Bible Verses About Faith:

• “And Abraham believed in the Lord, and the Lord counted him righteous because of his faith.”  - Genesis 15:6 , NLT
• “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith, we understand that the whole universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.” - Hebrews 11:1-3 , NLT
• “When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and his servant Moses.”- Exodus 14:31 , NLT
• “Be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” - 1 Samuel 12:24
• “He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear into darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone.” - 1 Samuel 2:9  

Where Does Faith Come From?

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

Justification by faith means that God has removed the penalty of our sins and has declared us to be righteous. By God's work, we have peace with our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Romans 5:1 (NLT)

What’s the Difference Between Faith and Belief?

Faith and belief are often used in the same context, sometimes interchangeably, but they are not quite the same thing. Belief is a strongly held opinion about an idea or worldview. Beliefs are also opinions that you form about what you read, hear, or see. Beliefs can change over time, as you grow and learn new things. Faith is not something you start and build from; faith can only be received, it must be given by God. True faith can take on doubts and questions, but it remains intact. We can grow in our faith, but the foundation is always the same. James 2:19 says, 

"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."

You can believe there is a God, even that there is one God, but do you believe He is your God? God produces faith in us by giving us new hearts and opening our eyes to see that He is our God and we need Him. Does your faith in God change the way you live your life? There are some who say they believe in God, but the way they live their life does not change; they are motivated by other factors. Faith changes how we live our lives, faith motivates us to keep moving in life. 

Having faith in the Bible means trusting that God’s Word is the truth. The faith that God began in us will grow when exposed to God's Word. It’s knowing that every time you read the Bible, the word of God is being imparted in you. The Bible says that faith is not silly or irrational. It is not a feeling of closeness to God either. Instead, faith is being able to trust God for what He has promised in His Word. 

5 Examples of People in the Bible Who Had Faith

1. Mary was faithful to God when she was chosen to be the mother of his son. Mary trusted her God and the role He had chosen for her.

"The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.' 'I am the Lord’s servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her." - Luke 1:35-38

2. Abraham had faith in God when he was called to sacrifice his only son as a burnt offering. He set out the next morning after God told him where to go, he had faith that God would provide. 

"Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.' Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, 'Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.' Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, 'Father?' 'Yes, my son?' Abraham replied. 'The fire and wood are here,' Isaac said, 'but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?' Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.' And the two of them went on together." - Genesis 22:1-8 

3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had faith when they were thrown into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. They had no doubts that God would save them.

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” - Daniel 3:17-18 "They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, 'Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God." - Daniel 3:27-28

4. Esther had faith in going to the king unannounced and exposing Haman’s plan to kill the Jews.

"When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: 'Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?' Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 'Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.'" - Esther 4:12-16

5. Moses had faith when God asked him to lead the Israelite’s out of Egypt and across the red sea, away from everything they knew.

"As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!' Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” - Exodus 14:10-14

How to Grow in Faith

There are several different ways we can grow in our faith.

1. Ask God to increase your faith. If you are struggling in your faith, ask Him for more of it. He will be glad to bestow it through the Holy Spirit.

2. Focus on obeying God. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes, but if you focus on following God’s word and commands, your faith will grow naturally.

4. Spend time with other believers. We are meant to worship together, pray together, and share our faith with each other. Hearing about others' journeys in faith can be encouraging. Also study the Bible together, encouraging each other in godly disciplines.

5. Spend time in fervent prayer . Scheduling a specific time each day to spend with God in prayer makes a huge difference. This is your time alone with Him to discuss anything that is on your heart and mind. Be still and listen carefully and your faith will grow in abundance.

How Do We Live by Faith and Not By Sight?

Living in faith and not by sight means that you are willing to go into the unknown. It’s trusting God even though you don’t know where He’s leading you or what the outcome will be. I have been living in faith over a specific situation for almost three years. I have been praying over this situation fervently. I don’t know how it’s going to turn out or where it’s going to lead. All I do know is that God is working, and I’m waiting patiently to see the outcome. It’s not easy and it’s not fun, but I know that He’s in control and that is where I find my peace.

How to Keep the Faith in Times of Trouble

1. Keep a positive attitude, reflecting on God's promises. We are to praise Jesus in all things and in all circumstances.

2. Surrender your circumstances to God. It can be so easy to get upset and shake our fists at Him when things aren’t going right. Instead, ask Him for help and to change your circumstances. Let Him take the wheel and trust what He is going to do.

3. Be generous. The Bible says even in times of trouble, we are to give. It seems counterintuitive when you are struggling to keep your head above water. However, in giving and blessing someone else, you are blessing yourself too. God loves a cheerful giver.

4. Spend more time in the Word. This will help keep you grounded and not going in another direction due to confusion or desperation.

The truest act of faith, which is made possible by God's gift of grace to us, is complete trust in the Lord through every circumstance, even when we do not understand why something is happening or not happening.

Let’s pray:

Dear Lord, Please help me grow in my faith. Help me to lean on You in good times and bad. Help me not to be quick to anger and instead, have a godly mindset. Speak to my heart as I read Your Word and highlight verses of encouragement. Help me to trust You in every situation and in every circumstance. In Your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Carrie  Lowrance is a writer and author. She has been published on Huffington Post, The Penny Hoarder, and ParentMap. She is also the author of two children’s books, Don’t Eat Your Boogers (You’ll Turn Green) and Brock’s Bad Temper (And The Time Machine). You can find out more about her on her website, www.carrielowrance.com

Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/B-C-Designs

Recently On Spiritual Life

Editor's Picks

Popular Today

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Crosswalk App
• California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• California - CCPA Notice

Christianity IQ

12 Examples of Faith in the Bible (And Lessons to Learn)

Faith, an intangible yet powerful force, serves as the guiding light for many believers throughout history.

In the pages of the Bible, we find a collection of stories that exemplify unwavering trust and belief in a higher power.

From the courageous steps taken by Abraham to the unyielding resolve of Daniel in the lion’s den, these tales showcase how faith can move mountains and defy all odds.

As we delve into these examples of faith in the Bible, we are invited to ponder our own beliefs and contemplate the profound impact they can have on our lives.

Join me on this journey through scripture as we uncover timeless lessons and inspiration from those who placed their trust in something greater than themselves.

The Meaning of Faith in the Bible

Faith, as portrayed in the Bible, is not merely about belief or blind trust. It embodies a deep sense of conviction and assurance in something unseen yet divinely promised.

In Hebrews 11:1 , faith is described as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

This suggests an unwavering confidence that transcends physical evidence and rational understanding.

Furthermore, faith in the Bible is often intertwined with action.

James 2:17 emphasizes that faith without works is dead , illustrating that genuine faith should be accompanied by deeds reflective of one’s beliefs.

This synergy between belief and action underscores the transformative power of faith—it motivates believers to actively live out their convictions in service to others and adherence to God’s teachings.

In essence, the meaning of faith in the Bible goes beyond mere intellectual ascent; it involves a dynamic relationship with God that spurs believers to trust Him wholeheartedly , act faithfully on His promises, and walk confidently into the unknown with divine guidance illuminating their path.

✅ 12 Examples of Faith in the Bible

Faith is a central theme in the Bible, and many characters demonstrate their trust and reliance on God in various situations.

These examples showcase different aspects of faith, including trust in God’s promises, reliance on His guidance, and confidence in His power to heal and deliver.

Faith is a recurring theme that demonstrates the transformative power of trust in God throughout the biblical narrative.

Here are some examples of faith in the Bible:

1. Abraham – Father of Faith

Abraham, known as the Father of Faith in the Bible, displayed unwavering trust and belief in God’s promises.

Despite his old age and barren wife, Abraham believed that God would fulfill His covenant to make him a father of many nations.

When asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham demonstrated exceptional faith by obeying without hesitation, convinced that God could even raise the dead.

This act of obedience showcased Abraham’s radical faith and profound trust in God’s sovereignty.

Furthermore, Abraham’s journey is a testament to how faith can overcome doubt and fear.

Despite facing numerous trials and uncertainties, such as leaving his homeland and waiting decades for a promised child, Abraham never wavered in his faith.

His steadfast belief paved the way for future generations to learn about trusting in God wholeheartedly, even when circumstances seem bleak or insurmountable.

Ultimately, Abraham’s story serves as a powerful example of what it means to have unwavering faith in God’s promises and providence.

2. Sarah – Faith in God’s Promise

Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is a remarkable example of faith in the Bible. Despite her advanced age and the seeming impossibility of conception, she believed in God’s promise that she would bear a child.

Sarah’s faith was tested when she heard the prediction, but instead of doubting, she chose to trust in God’s power and plan.

This unwavering belief ultimately led to the fulfillment of the promise as Sarah gave birth to Isaac.

Sarah’s story teaches us that faith involves perseverance and patience. It was not an easy journey for her to wait years for the promised child, but through it all, she held on to her trust in God’s unfailing words.

Her story challenges us to confront our doubts and fears with faith, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His promises at the right time.

Sarah’s faith reminds us that with God, nothing is impossible if we believe and wait upon His timing.

3. Moses – Leading the Israelites

As Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, he demonstrated unwavering faith in God’s promises despite facing immense challenges.

When the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army, Moses trusted God and witnessed the miraculous parting of the waters to secure their escape.

His obedience and trust in God’s plan allowed him to lead his people boldly through adversity.

Moses’ faith was also evident when he interceded on behalf of the sinful Israelites, pleading with God not to destroy them.

Through his humility and selflessness, Moses showed us that true leadership is rooted in faith and compassion.

Despite facing rejection and opposition from his own people at times, Moses remained faithful to God’s calling to guide the Israelites towards their promised land.

4. David – Facing Goliath

David’s encounter with Goliath is a powerful example of unwavering faith in the face of overwhelming odds.

Despite being a young shepherd boy facing a giant experienced warrior, David’s conviction in God’s strength propelled him forward.

His refusal to conform to fear and his trust in God’s ability to deliver him served as a testament to the power of faith.

What sets this narrative apart is David’s unshakeable confidence in God’s presence amidst danger.

This display of faith was not just blind belief but an active assurance that allowed him to step into battle without hesitation.

Through this story, we are reminded that true courage is born out of faith and reliance on something greater than ourselves.

5. Daniel – Lions’ Den

In the well-known story of Daniel in the lions’ den, we see a powerful example of faith and trust in God’s protection.

Despite facing imminent danger and certain death, Daniel remained steadfast in his belief that God would deliver him.

His unwavering faith was not just an abstract concept but a lived reality that shaped his actions and decisions.

Through this story, we learn that true faith is not about the absence of fear or challenges but about trusting God despite our circumstances.

It encourages us to rely on God’s strength and promises even when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Ultimately, Daniel’s faith was rewarded as God shut the mouths of the lions, affirming his belief in divine intervention.

This story serves as a timeless reminder that with faith, nothing is impossible, and God is always faithful to those who trust in Him.

6. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – Fiery Furnace

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego facing the fiery furnace in the Book of Daniel is a powerful example of unwavering faith.

Despite the threat of death by fire, these three men refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol, choosing instead to uphold their faith in God.

Their bold declaration that even if God did not save them, they would still not worship other gods showcases a level of trust and devotion that is truly inspiring.

As they were thrown into the blazing furnace, a miraculous intervention occurred as an angel appeared with them amid the flames.

Not only were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego unharmed by the fire, but they emerged from it without even the smell of smoke on their clothes.

This incredible demonstration of God’s protection reinforced their faith and served as a testimony to all who witnessed it.

The story reminds us that when we stand firm in our faith, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, God can bring about amazing deliverance beyond our expectations.

7. Rahab – Faith in God’s Deliverance

Rahab, a woman often overlooked in the Bible, exemplifies unwavering faith in God’s deliverance.

Despite living among the sinful inhabitants of Jericho, Rahab chose to trust in the God of Israel after hearing about His mighty acts.

Her daring decision to hide the Israelite spies and help them escape demonstrated her courageous belief that God would bring victory to His people.

Rahab’s faith was not just a fleeting moment of bravery; it was a deep-seated conviction that led her to align herself with God’s promises.

By risking her own life and those of her family members, Rahab showed remarkable faith in God’s power to protect and deliver those who put their trust in Him.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder that no one is beyond redemption or outside the reach of God’s saving grace when they choose to have faith as Rahab did.

8. Hannah – Faith in God’s Answer to Prayer

Hannah’s faith in God is a powerful example of trust and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Despite facing infertility and ridicule from those around her, Hannah remained steadfast in her belief that God would answer her prayers for a child.

She continued to pray earnestly, even making a solemn vow to dedicate her child to the service of the Lord if He granted her request.

Her story teaches us about the importance of bringing our desires and struggles before God with unwavering faith and trust in His timing and plan.

Hannah’s patience and persistence paid off when she eventually conceived and gave birth to a son, Samuel, who went on to become one of Israel’s greatest prophets.

Her example reminds us that God is faithful to those who lean on Him wholeheartedly, even when circumstances seem impossible.

9. The Centurion – Faith in Jesus’ Healing

The story of the Centurion in the Bible showcases a remarkable display of unwavering faith in Jesus’ healing power.

Despite being a Roman official, the Centurion humbly approached Jesus, acknowledging his belief that with just a word from Jesus, his servant could be healed.

This moment exemplifies a profound trust in the authority and capability of Jesus to perform miracles beyond human comprehension.

What sets the Centurion apart is not only his faith but also his humility. He acknowledged his own unworthiness, recognizing that he was not deserving for Jesus to enter his home.

This willingness to surrender control and submit to the authority of Christ demonstrates an exceptional level of trust and belief in divine healing abilities.

Ultimately, this story reminds us that true faith involves not only believing in God’s power but also humbling ourselves before Him, acknowledging His sovereignty over every aspect of our lives.

10. The Woman with the Issue of Blood – Faith in Healing

The story of the Woman with the Issue of Blood in the Bible illustrates the incredible power of faith in healing.

For 12 years, she suffered from a chronic condition that left her isolated and desperate.

Despite trying numerous treatments and physicians without success, she believed that just by touching Jesus’ robe, she would be healed.

This act of faith was not based on logic or conventional wisdom but on a deep conviction that only through her unwavering belief could she find wholeness.

When she finally reached out and touched the edge of Jesus’ garment, immediately her bleeding stopped.

Jesus recognized her faith, saying, Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.

This powerful moment showcases how true healing comes not just from physical remedies but from a heart filled with absolute trust in divine intervention.

The Woman with the Issue of Blood’s story challenges us to reconsider our own beliefs about healing and to approach our struggles with a renewed sense of faith and hope.

11. Paul – Faith amid Trials

In the Bible, the apostle Paul is a shining example of unwavering faith amidst trials.

Despite facing numerous challenges and persecution throughout his missionary journeys, Paul never wavered in his trust in God’s plan for him.

His steadfast belief in the power of God to guide and protect him allowed him to endure imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks without losing hope.

One striking example of Paul’s faith in action is seen during his imprisonment in Philippi. Instead of succumbing to despair or bitterness, Paul and Silas chose to pray and sing hymns to God while they were shackled in chains.

This demonstration of faith not only led to their miraculous deliverance but also inspired those around them, including the jailer who eventually came to believe in Jesus because of their witness.

Paul’s life serves as a powerful reminder that true faith is not shaken by outward circumstances but remains anchored in the unchanging character of God.

His unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness continues to inspire believers today to persevere through trials with hope and confidence that God is always faithful.

12. The Syrophoenician Woman – Faith in Jesus’ Mercy

In the gospel of Mark, we encounter the story of the Syrophoenician woman, a Gentile who approached Jesus seeking healing for her demon-possessed daughter.

Despite Jesus initially dismissing her request by stating that His mission was to the Jews, this woman displayed unwavering faith in His mercy and power.

Her response, acknowledging even the crumbs from the master’s table would be enough for her daughter’s healing, showcased a profound understanding of Jesus’ limitless compassion.

This encounter challenges our perception of faith and demonstrates that it transcends societal boundaries or cultural norms.

The Syrophoenician woman’s persistence and boldness in approaching Jesus highlights that true faith involves enduring belief in God’s goodness even when faced with obstacles or rejection.

Her story serves as a reminder that genuine faith moves mountains and accesses God’s grace beyond what our limited perspectives can comprehend.

Examples of Faith in the Bible (Summary)

In the examples of faith in the Bible, we are reminded of the power and importance of trust in God’s plan.

From Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to the perseverance of Job in the face of adversity, these stories teach us that faith can move mountains.

By studying these examples, we gain inspiration and guidance for our own journey of faith. Let us reflect on these stories and strive to emulate the unwavering trust and belief in God demonstrated by these biblical figures.

May we find strength in their examples and deepen our own faith as we navigate life’s challenges with courage and conviction.

Other Blog Posts

• 10 Examples of Exhortations in the Bible
• 12 Examples of Discipleship in the Bible
• 12 Examples of Divine Encounters in the Bible

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Essays About Religion: Top 5 Examples and 7 Writing Prompts

Essays about religion include delicate issues and tricky subtopics. See our top essay examples and prompts to guide you in your essay writing.

With over 4,000 religions worldwide, it’s no wonder religion influences everything. It involves faith, lessons on humanity, spirituality, and moral values that span thousands of years. For some, it’s both a belief and a cultural system. As it often clashes with science, laws, and modern philosophies, it’s also a hot debate topic. Religion is a broad subject encompassing various elements of life, so you may find it a challenging topic to write an essay about it.

1. Wisdom and Longing in Islam’s Religion by Anonymous on Ivypanda.com

2. consequences of following religion blindly essay by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 3. religion: christians’ belief in god by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 4. mecca’s influence on today’s religion essay by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 5. religion: how buddhism views the world by anonymous on ivypanda.com , 1. the importance of religion, 2. pros and cons of having a religion, 3. religions across the world, 4. religion and its influence on laws, 5. religion: then and now, 6. religion vs. science, 7. my religion.

“Portraying Muslims as radical religious fanatics who deny other religions and violently fight dissent has nothing to do with true Islamic ideology. The knowledge that is presented in Islam and used by Muslims to build their worldview system is exploited in a misinterpreted form. This is transforming the perception of Islam around the world as a radical religious system that supports intolerance and conflicts.”

The author discusses their opinion on how Islam becomes involved with violence or terrorism in the Islamic states. Throughout the essay, the writer mentions the massive difference between Islam’s central teachings and the terrorist groups’ dogma. The piece also includes a list of groups, their disobediences, and punishments.

This essay looks at how these brutalities have nothing to do with Islam’s fundamental ideologies. However, the context of Islam’s creeds is distorted by rebel groups like The Afghan mujahideen, Jihadis, and Al-Qa’ida. Furthermore, their activities push dangerous narratives that others use to make generalized assumptions about the entire religion. These misleading generalizations lead to misunderstandings amongst other communities, particularly in the western world. However, the truth is that these terrorist groups are violating Islamic doctrine.

“Following religion blindly can hinder one’s self-actualization and interfere with self-development due to numerous constraints and restrictions… Blind adherence to religion is a factor that does not allow receiving flexible education and adapting knowledge to different areas.”

The author discusses the effects of blindly following a religion and mentions that it can lead to difficulties in self-development and the inability to live independently. These limitations affect a person’s opportunity to grow and discover oneself.  Movies like “ The Da Vinci Code ” show how fanatical devotion influences perception and creates constant doubt. 

“…there are many religions through which various cultures attain their spiritual and moral bearings to bring themselves closer to a higher power (deity). Different religions are differentiated in terms of beliefs, customs, and purpose and are similar in one way or the other.”

The author discusses how religion affects its followers’ spiritual and moral values and mentions how deities work in mysterious ways. The essay includes situations that show how these supreme beings test their followers’ faith through various life challenges. Overall, the writer believes that when people fully believe in God, they can be stronger and more capable of coping with the difficulties they may encounter.

“Mecca represents a holy ground that the majority of the Muslims visit; and is only supposed to be visited by Muslims. The popularity of Mecca has increased the scope of its effects, showing that it has an influence on tourism, the financial aspects of the region and lastly religion today.”

The essay delves into Mecca’s contributions to Saudi Arabia’s tourism and religion. It mentions tourism rates peaking during Hajj, a 5-day Muslim pilgrimage, and visitors’ sense of spiritual relief and peace after the voyage. Aside from its tremendous touristic benefits, it also brings people together to worship Allah. You can also check out these essays about values and articles about beliefs .

“Buddhism is seen as one of the most popular and widespread religions on the earth the reason of its pragmatic and attractive philosophies which are so appealing for people of the most diversified backgrounds and ways of thinking .”

To help readers understand the topic, the author explains Buddhism’s worldviews and how Siddhatta Gotama established the religion that’s now one of the most recognized on Earth. It includes teachings about the gift of life, novel thinking, and philosophies based on his observations. Conclusively, the author believes that Buddhism deals with the world as Gotama sees it.

Check out our guide packed full of transition words for essays .

7 Prompts on Essays About Religion

Religion’s importance is embedded in an individual or group’s interpretation of it. They hold on to their faith for various reasons, such as having an idea of the real meaning of life and offering them a purpose to exist. Use this prompt to identify and explain what makes religion a necessity. Make your essay interesting by adding real-life stories of how faith changed someone’s life.

Although religion offers benefits such as positivity and a sense of structure, there are also disadvantages that come with it. Discuss what’s considered healthy and destructive when people follow their religion’s gospels and why. You can also connect it to current issues. Include any personal experience you have.

Religion’s prevalence exhibits how it can significantly affect one’s daily living. Use this prompt to discuss how religions across the world differ from one another when it comes to beliefs and if traditions or customs influence them. It’s essential to use relevant statistical data or surveys in this prompt to support your claims and encourage your readers to trust your piece.

There are various ways religion affects countries’ laws as they adhere to moral and often humanitarian values. Identify each and discuss how faith takes part in a nation’s decision-making regarding pressing matters. You can focus on one religion in a specific location to let the readers concentrate on the case. A good example is the latest abortion issue in the US, the overturning of “Wade vs. Roe.” Include people’s mixed reactions to this subject and their justifications.

In this essay, talk about how the most widespread religions’ principles or rituals changed over time. Then, expound on what inspired these changes.  Add the religion’s history, its current situation in the country, and its old and new beliefs. Elaborate on how its members clash over these old and new principles. Conclude by sharing your opinion on whether the changes are beneficial or not.

There’s a never-ending debate between religion and science. List the most controversial arguments in your essay and add which side you support and why. Then, open discourse about how these groups can avoid quarreling. You can also discuss instances when religion and science agreed or worked together to achieve great results. 

Use this prompt if you’re a part of a particular religion. Even if you don’t believe in faith, you can still take this prompt and pick a church you’ll consider joining. Share your personal experiences about your religion. Add how you became a follower, the beliefs that helped you through tough times, and why you’re staying as an active member in it. You can also speak about miraculous events that strengthen your faith. Or you can include teachings that you disagree with and think needs to be changed or updated.

For help with your essay, check out our top essay writing tips !

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

View all posts

Find anything you save across the site in your account

Dorothy Day’s Radical Faith

By Casey Cep

The Federal Bureau of Investigation didn’t know what to do about Dorothy Day. It was 1941, and Director J. Edgar Hoover was concerned about Day’s onetime communism, sometime socialism, and all-the-time anarchism. After months of investigating—interviewing her known associates, obtaining her driving record and vital statistics, collecting her clips from newspaper morgues, and reviewing the first of her autobiographies, “From Union Square to Rome” (“an interesting, running account of the life of the authoress”)—the F.B.I. decided that the subject of Bureau File 100-2403-1 would not need to be detained in the event of a national emergency. Day would have disagreed with them: not because she felt she was dangerous but because she knew that the nation was already in an emergency, and had been for some time.

The emergency was poverty, and Day had been alarmed by it her whole life. She first encountered it in the slums of Chicago, where she lived as a teen-ager, and she saw it all around her in New York City, where she moved after dropping out of college, and lived for more than six decades. Even before the Great Depression, Day had been sensitive to the plight of the poor, a sensitivity that ultimately shaped her calling. At thirty, she converted to Catholicism. In the years that followed, she started a radical newspaper and began opening what she called “houses of hospitality” for those who needed something to eat and somewhere to stay.

Eventually, Day’s Catholic Worker Movement would serve the poor in more than two hundred communities. Under her guidance, it would also develop a curiously dichotomous political agenda, taking prophetic stands against racial segregation, nuclear warfare, the draft, and armed conflict around the world, while opposing abortion, birth control, and the welfare state. That dichotomy seems especially stark today, when most people’s beliefs come more neatly packaged by partisan affiliation. But by the time she died, in 1980, Day had become one of the most prominent thinkers of the left and doers of the right. In her lifetime, it was the secularists—including Dwight Macdonald, in a two-part Profile published in this magazine, in 1952—who called Day a saint. Now, though, the cause of her sainthood is officially advancing within the Catholic Church, a development that has occasioned a new biography and a documentary, both of which explore the contentious question of who owns her legacy.

She wasn’t sure if she was afraid of God or the ground, but the nightmares Dorothy Day had as a child featured a noise that got louder and nearer until she woke up sweaty and terrified. She had been born in New York, in 1897, but her family relocated to California in 1904, and they were living in Oakland two years later, when the San Francisco earthquake struck. That tragedy changed Day’s life in two ways. First, it affirmed her preëxisting fears about annihilation, while simultaneously stirring in her a theory of mercy based on her mother’s nightly reassurances and the broader response of collectivity and charity. Why, she wondered, couldn’t the community care for all its members so generously the rest of the time? The second change was more pragmatic: her father, John, was a sportswriter who could barely support his wife and five children on his salary, so when the earthquake destroyed the press that printed his newspaper he moved the family again, this time to Chicago.

John and Grace, his wife, had been married in a church, but they never took their children to worship. Even so, Dorothy, their middle daughter, was a pious child who read Scripture as ravenously as novels and watched with interest as her friends and their families prayed. At twelve, she demanded to be baptized at a nearby Episcopal church; in high school, she learned Greek and practiced her translation skills on the New Testament. She tested her way into a scholarship at the University of Illinois, where she matriculated not long after the socialist Eugene Debs got nearly a million votes in the 1912 Presidential election. Like many other students, she was drawn to the college Socialist Club, which is where she heard a lecture by Rose Pastor Stokes, a feminist who went on to help found the Communist Party of America.

Politics change like the weather, and this era of falling atmospheric pressure is nicely captured in “Dorothy Day: Dissenting Voice of the American Century,” a new biography co-written by John Loughery and Blythe Randolph. It was the great age of “isms,” especially on American campuses, and at first Day enthusiastically embraced them. Her family had always been financially marginal, and that left her receptive to all politics that prioritized the poor; at the same time, a rising atheism and anti-authoritarianism left her eager to cast off her religious faith, which her comrades regarded as risible. She joined a literary club called the Scribblers and submitted work to a magazine and a newspaper on campus, along with the local paper in Urbana–Champaign. Her writing was more impressive than her grades, which included an F in biology, so, when her family moved back to New York, Day dropped out and went with them.

Day’s father had helped her brothers find journalism jobs, but he refused to help her, so she was left to knock on the doors of papers around the city. When that failed, she remembered the alternative media and leftist publications she had learned about on campus, and found a job with the Call , a socialist daily in which her first byline appeared under the headline “Girl Reporter, with Three Cents in Her Purse, Braves Night Court.” A few weeks later, she interviewed Leon Trotsky, who was then living in the Bronx. After that, she managed to craft a feature from a three-minute conversation with Margaret Sanger’s sister, newly released from prison and desperate to drum up support for the American Birth Control League.

In between writing for every radical outlet in town, Day palled around with Marxists, got arrested for picketing the White House with the suffragists, and took a billy club in the ribs at an antiwar riot. “Bohemian” doesn’t begin to describe Day’s life in this period. Her drinking was legendary, even by Greenwich Village standards; the literary critic Malcolm Cowley claimed, in his memoir, that Day could hold her liquor better than most gangsters. Some of that drinking took place during Prohibition, and was thus illegal, and much of it took place at a bar alternately known as the Hell Hole and the Bucket o’ Blood. Day’s friends were all writing books or appearing in them, and she was said to be the model for characters in “The Malefactors,” by her onetime roommate the novelist Caroline Gordon, and in “A Moon for the Misbegotten,” by her onetime lover the playwright Eugene O’Neill.

Day herself wrote a book during this time: an autobiographical novel called “The Eleventh Virgin,” published in 1924. It told the story of a disastrous affair she’d had with an older writer, which ended after she attempted suicide and had an illegal abortion, a procedure performed by an ex-boyfriend of the anarchist Emma Goldman. Day wrote the novel while honeymooning in Europe with a different man. The rebound ended no better than the previous relationship: one morning, Day took off her wedding ring, left it on the bureau, and walked out of the marriage.

She moved back to Chicago, where she took jobs in a department store, at a library, in a restaurant, and as an artist’s model. Her employment was erratic, but her politics were consistent. When the Chicago police raided the Industrial Workers of the World boarding house, Day was there, and got arrested for prostitution—only because the police couldn’t arrest people for socialism. She was released from jail a week later, and eventually made her way back to New York.

There Day fell in love with a man named Forster Batterham. After the abortion, she assumed that she could not have children, and so was astonished when she became pregnant, then awed by the birth of a daughter, Tamar Teresa, in 1926. Without consulting Batterham, an atheist, she stopped a nun on the street and asked to have the baby baptized. Plenty of new parents are inspired to return to religion, and Day would later write of how God had long haunted her life, but she could never fully explain why she was so suddenly and urgently drawn to Catholicism. The nun she stopped, Sister Aloysia Mary Mulhern, didn’t agree to the baptism right away, because Day was not yet Catholic; over the next few months, the pair studied the catechism together, and talked about the faith into which the activist had become convinced that she and her daughter needed to be received.

Batterham did not believe in marriage, and, after converting to Catholicism, Day left him. Then she met someone else: a fellow-Catholic named Peter Maurin, who, although never romantically involved with Day, was, in the deepest sense, her soul mate. Maurin liked to call himself a French peasant but in reality he was equal parts philosopher, troubadour, and troublemaker. He had heard about Day from some other Catholic radicals and was waiting in her apartment when she came home one day in December, 1932. Most people would have called the police, but she listened patiently as he expounded on his many ideas and theories and dreams and programs and plans.

Day had just returned from covering the Communist Party’s hunger march in Washington, D.C. What Maurin couldn’t have known is that, before leaving the city, she had gone to the basilica at Catholic University and prayed to find a way to alleviate the suffering of the hungry. The country was three years into the Great Depression, and Day worried that her writing was not doing enough to help; it seemed obvious that Maurin was the answer to her prayer. She quickly agreed to the first of many of his ideas: a newspaper to serve the poor.

The first issue of the Catholic Worker came out on May Day, 1933, and asked, “Is it not possible to be radical and not atheist?” A religious press printed twenty-five hundred copies, and, at a time when the economy was so constricted that there were literally no new nickels and dimes in circulation, Day sold the paper for a penny each in Union Square. She had written most of its eight pages herself—arts coverage, exposés on child labor and racial discrimination, an article about the Scottsboro Boys going to trial, and a list of upcoming strikes for those who wanted to support the labor movement. The editors confessed that it wasn’t “yet known whether it will be a monthly, a fortnightly, or a weekly,” since they had no idea if any subscriptions or donations would follow.

Trusting in what Christ preached about the lilies of the field, Day and Maurin focussed on the present, letting God provide for their future. That didn’t mean money wasn’t an issue; it always was. They wouldn’t hoard it, so an endowment was a nonstarter, and relying on government funds was anathema to them both, so they often went begging, which they felt helped them live in solidarity with those they served. Grocery bills, printer’s bills, electric bills: they asked for money to pay them all, and for extensions or forgiveness when they could not. (Years later, when they faced a substantial fine from the city for the allegedly slumlike and hazardous conditions of their headquarters, the entire amount was paid by W. H. Auden.)

Link copied

Day and Maurin sent the Catholic Worker to parishes and priests around the country, and it soon had a circulation of a hundred thousand. They published the paper monthly, and it became a mixture of articles that Day thought would promote and influence the political left and what Maurin called his “easy essays,” prose poems that amounted to aphorisms: “The world would be better off / if people tried to become better. / And people would become better / if they stopped trying to become better off.”

It was Maurin who began writing about how the early followers of Jesus had kept “Christ rooms” in their homes, offering rest and hospitality to strangers. He lamented the end of that culture of welcome, and implored priests and bishops to use their rectories and diocesan properties for such a purpose. With more than ten million Americans unemployed, more than half the country living below the poverty line, and two million people without homes, Maurin asked why the Catholic Church wasn’t doing more to address the crisis. The newspaper had secured an office and enough of a budget that he and Day could occasionally rent apartments for people who had been laid off. But there were more than twenty thousand people living on the street in New York City alone, and the Catholic Workers, as the paper’s writers and readers came to call themselves, knew that far more sweeping action was needed.

In the winter of 1934, Day and Maurin rented a four-story, eleven-bedroom building on Charles Street, the first of their hospitality houses. From the start, the Catholic Workers served the sorts of individuals even other social reformers might not have allowed through the door: the mentally ill, the drunk, the offensive, the disobedient, the ungrateful. When challenged by another Catholic activist about an encounter with a racist and anti-Semitic guest on Charles Street, Day said she would not remove him: “He, after all, is Christ.” The man, an alcoholic with dementia, lived with the Catholic Workers until he died.

Within a few years, there were thirty-two hospitality houses, from Buffalo and Baltimore to St. Louis and Seattle. Day and Maurin continued to publish their newspaper and to organize for labor rights, racial integration, and radical equality. Hardly a protest took place in New York without at least a few Catholic Workers showing up. Not even the Bishop of Rome was spared: when the gravediggers of Calvary Cemetery went on strike against the trustees of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Archbishop of New York, the workers supported them, including by picketing the office of the chancery. The Church hierarchy was even more vexed by Day’s pacificism, which was so unpopular during the Second World War that the newspaper’s circulation collapsed and Church officials tried to have “Catholic” removed from its title.

But Dorothy Day was always equal parts “Catholic” and “worker.” Many followers of the Pope found her politics inconvenient and offensive; many leftists thought her faith oppressive and absurd. Day’s family initially mistook her conversion for an emotional crisis, and her friends suspected that she had simply traded her political fanaticism for the religious variety; both camps were surprised when it lasted. Had Day been an anodyne Protestant or an agnostic Unitarian, her spirituality would have raised fewer eyebrows, but she opted in to what many of her friends regarded as the most regressive and patriarchal institution outside of the federal government.

That government, by contrast, was somewhat assuaged by Day’s religiosity. Part of what kept her F.B.I. file from getting any larger was the assurances offered by the very hierarchy her leftist friends so despised: as one agent noted, “Church officials believe her to be an honest and sincere Catholic.” That was putting it mildly: Day took to the Rosary and the saints, the confession and the liturgy, the miracles and the sacraments as, to quote the psalmist, a deer longs for flowing streams. She felt that the Church had cured her alienation and isolation, drawing her into fellowship with a community of living souls. “We cannot love God,” Day wrote in her memoir “The Long Loneliness,” published in 1952, “unless we love each other, and to love we must know each other. We know Him in the breaking of bread, and we know each other in the breaking of bread, and we are not alone any more.”

It wasn’t all balm, though. Day had reservations about Catholic dogma, was dismayed by the faith’s history of impieties and intolerance, and, above all, had no patience for its failures to live up to Christ’s core teachings. Still, to her mind, her politics were not contradicted but confirmed by the Catholic Church, both in the Gospels and in two of the most consequential encyclicals of the post-industrial age. The first, Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 “Rerum Novarum,” praised labor unions and called for reforming capitalism, asserting that “some opportune remedy must be found quickly for the misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working class.” The second, Pope Pius XI’s “Quadragesimo Anno,” delivered forty years later, affirmed the earlier teaching and called for a new economy based on solidarity and subsidiarity. Both encyclicals showed a respectful apprehension about the role of the state, believing that it should not interfere in the private lives of its citizens or usurp the moral authority of the Church. This explained Day’s ongoing anarchism and her hostility to government welfare programs, which she pilloried as a “sop thrown to the proletariat.”

To the socialists and communists who stood with Day on the picket lines and protested with her in front of statehouses and corporate headquarters, such teachings seemed as nonsensical as the Immaculate Conception. And her distance from would-be allies only increased during the sixties and seventies. Although she had been plenty countercultural in her own youth, she disapproved of the drug use, sexual promiscuity, and general disdain for authority that came with hippie culture. Many of the young people who showed up at the houses of hospitality—and at the kibbutz-like communal farms the Catholic Worker Movement tried to establish—did not even know who Day was, and they were as confounded as the old left had been by her joy in the ritual of worship and her solace in the habit of prayer. But what most alienated Day from her fellow-radicals was her conviction that what was needed was not a violent revolution but “a revolution of the heart,” as she called it: an ability to see Christ in others, and to love others as God loves us.

As the years passed, faith and radicalism, which coexisted so seamlessly in Day herself, grew further and further apart in the outer world. The left wanted less heart and more revolution; the faithful, less revolution and more heart. Day wanted what she always had: justice for the poor and peace for all. There was an admirable consistency, perhaps even obstinacy, in much of her political life: in the nineteen-tens, she had picketed for suffrage; in the twenties and thirties, she had marched for the hungry; in the forties, she criticized the government for the internment of Japanese-Americans; in the fifties, she refused to participate in civil-defense drills and protested nuclear proliferation; in the sixties, she denounced the Vietnam War, inspiring the men of the Catholic Worker Movement to become the first in America to burn their draft cards; in the seventies (and in her seventies), she was standing with Cesar Chavez’s farm laborers in California when she was arrested for the last time.

Yet, for almost every one of those stands, she took others that she or history or both later judged less kindly. Day defended the Catholic Church’s sexual ethics at the ongoing expense of those who sought abortions like the one she’d had, needed the birth control she’d once used, were abused by their priests, or were discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. She opposed Social Security, believing it to be overreach by the state, then lived long enough to watch it save many senior citizens from financial ruin. She saw the atrocities of the Holocaust ended by the Allies through the global conflict she had opposed, and she witnessed the sufferings caused by the Cuban Revolution, which she had praised.

In the early years of the Catholic Worker Movement, Day joked that she wrote down how much money came in and how much money went out but never reconciled the two columns—which is more or less how she lived her life. Unfortunately, it also more or less describes Loughery and Randolph’s biography: a comprehensive, chronological account that never arrives at a meaningful summation of the life it chronicles. It doesn’t go much beyond what has been written before: by Day herself in her memoirs; in collections of her letters and diaries, carefully edited by Robert Ellsberg, the managing editor of the Catholic Worker in the late seventies and the son of the Pentagon Papers whistle-blower; and in the biographies “Dorothy Day: The World Will Be Saved by Beauty” (Scribner), by her youngest granddaughter, Kate Hennessy, and “Dorothy Day: A Radical Devotion” (Da Capo Press), a perceptive portrait by the Catholic Worker turned psychiatrist Robert Coles.

A more compelling addition to the many studies of Day is Martin Doblmeier’s new documentary, “Revolution of the Heart: The Dorothy Day Story,” the latest in his “Prophet Voices” series, which has already featured films about the theologians Reinhold Niebuhr and Howard Thurman. (The movie aired on PBS last month and is now available on PBS.org.) Admiring without being hagiographic—an obvious temptation with the life of a putative saint—it’s a fine example of what Day herself was always extolling: a kind of personalist experience whereby our hearts are changed not by airtight argument or moral perfection but by direct encounters with human needs and those who rise to meet them.

Both the documentary and the biography attempt to sate the curiosity of a public newly aware of Day because of the effort to have her sainted. Not everyone is pleased by that possibility. Loughery and Randolph write that some conservatives are “horrified at the prospect of canonizing a woman who had an abortion and a child out of wedlock and who condemned capitalism far more frequently and vehemently than she condemned Marxism-Leninism,” while some progressives “fear the loss of her radical edge,” believing that sainthood “would be antithetical to her very uninstitutional, anti-hierarchical approach to spiritual growth and social change.”

That controversy reflects the continuing animosity between the two central aspects of Day’s identity. The Catholic Worker Movement still exists, with nearly two hundred houses of hospitality around the world and a newspaper that is still published and sold for a penny (plus postage if you take it by mail), and it still evangelizes for the “personalist” approach—those revolutions of the heart. But Day’s influence is also felt in the Democratic Socialists of America, the insurgent political organization that was founded in the nineteen-seventies by Michael Harrington, who had been an editor at the Catholic Worker in the early fifties, but who left after losing his faith. He went on to publish “The Other America: Poverty in the United States,” which became the basis for John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Unlike Day, who fought for suffrage but never voted, the D.S.A. has poured a great deal of its energy into electoral politics to change not only hearts, but parties and systems.

Needless to say, neither approach, personalist or structural, has succeeded. Even before the coronavirus devastated our economy and added millions to the unemployment rolls, half a million Americans were homeless, twenty-seven million lacked health insurance, thirty-eight million lived in poverty, and forty million relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which the current Administration is trying to cut. In the face of that national emergency, one suspects that Day would insist that no one is the rightful owner of her legacy, because, as yet, no one has fulfilled it. Stop talking about me, she’d almost certainly say, and start talking about the poor. ♦

Books & Fiction

By signing up, you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

By Virginia Cannon

By Eric Schlosser

By James Carroll

By Gideon Lewis-Kraus

• Environment
• Information Science
• Social Issues
• Argumentative
• Cause and Effect
• Classification
• Compare and Contrast
• Descriptive
• Exemplification
• Informative
• Controversial
• Exploratory
• What Is an Essay
• Length of an Essay
• Generate Ideas
• Types of Essays
• Structuring an Essay
• Outline For Essay
• Essay Introduction
• Thesis Statement
• Body of an Essay
• Writing a Conclusion
• Essay Writing Tips
• Drafting an Essay
• Revision Process
• Fix a Broken Essay
• Format of an Essay
• Essay Examples
• Essay Checklist
• Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Research Paper
• Write My Research Paper
• Write My Essay
• Custom Essay Writing Service
• Admission Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Essay
• Academic Ghostwriting
• Write My Book Report
• Case Study Writing Service
• Dissertation Writing Service
• Coursework Writing Service
• Lab Report Writing Service
• Do My Assignment
• Buy College Papers
• Capstone Project Writing Service
• Buy Research Paper
• Custom Essays for Sale

Can’t find a perfect paper?

• Free Essay Samples

Essays on Faith

Make your faith essay an opportunity to put your beliefs into perspective. Some faith essays define faith as a state of consciousness associated with the recognition of the existence of God. Other authors of essays on faith believe that faith is a person's heartfelt confidence in a certain religious truth without still clearly comprehending it with the mind. Faith in God means experiencing the words and work of God based on the belief that God is sovereign over all things. Faith gives people hope and peace of mind. Paul the Apostle taught that faith is the fulfillment of the expected and the assurance of the invisible. To help your creative process along we listed the best faith essay samples. You are welcome to check our essay samples below!

Religion and Personal Growth Religion is at the forefront of many debates in subjects such as parental duties, moral aberrations, the rights of church-affiliated schools, and the loss of personal identity. Similarly, religion has a profound effect on the personal growth of an individual. For a majority of the people, religion...

Religion entails a set of individual beliefs and cultural systems regarding practices and behaviors that ranges from sacred things, supernatural being and divine nature of a particular human culture. Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, forms of folk region as well as Buddhism are all popular and largest religions existing in the world....

Undoubtedly, religion guides us towards the right direction in our lives. It outlines what we should or should not do to grow. Even though some people tend to criticize religions, every person belongs to one. As long as a person has a set of beliefs, a world view, then they...

In the view of the existence of God There is the consideration of various things that tell the information. In this light, the presence of God shows the possibility of infinite power that is undeniable by any individual of sane mind. As God, is the superior being, all individuals and things...

Words: 1409

The contrast between "The wager" and The Ethics of believe. First The Wager tries to show the nonevidentialist point of view. A person has two options either a Christianity or atheism. Hence you have a choice in life either to accept God or not. The Ethics of believe reveals about...

Words: 1529

The Edinburgh 1910 World Missionary has often been considered as one of the most famous missions conferences through time. The main reason for this is that it is known as the cradle to the modern ecumenical movements. Nonetheless, it lacks denominational, gender, ethnical and geographical diversity. Despite this, it gave...

Words: 1520

Found a perfect essay sample but want a unique one?

Request writing help from expert writer in you feed!

Religion and spiritual beliefs play a critical role and significantly shape the lives of many individuals across the globe. It is believed every person has a deity they believe in and pay tribute to (Johnson 17). Prayer is the communication medium between the believers and their deity or rather a...

Words: 1225

Here are the Contrasts of Blaise Pascal "The Wager "nonevidentialism position and Wk. Clifford “The Ethics of Belief” (Helm, 2016). First evidentialism is the belief that for which one has the evidence while nonevidalism depends on personal evidence to justify one's belief. The argument is based on our faith the...

Words: 1514

Does God exist? One of the most significant questions that many individuals across the globe often ask themselves is whether God really exists. Various people have different beliefs on the existence of God, and this has had various implications on their morality, humanity, and destiny. However, there are several reasons to...

In the debate between evidentialism as represented by Clifford and the non-evidentialism of Blaise Pascal, William James, and Michael Bergmann, the non-evidentialist argument has more strength. The maturity of every form of belief goes through a process that is, in fact, very similar to the scientific method because in both...

This chart contains all the research you need to write the final paper for this course. If you do the research and reading on the religion(s), we study each week, and if you give yourself an excellent guide to the beliefs using this chart,...

Words: 1191

Debates about Fact and Faith From the times of Galileo and Humes, there have always been debates concerning fact and faith. Philosophy borrows some of its tenets from science. Some of the philosophers like Galileo believed that religion and science could exist together as all of them were from the same...

Words: 1441

Related topic to Faith

You might also like.

Photo Essay: What My Faith Means to Me

BU students, faculty, and staff reflect on the intimate role religion, prayer, and meditation play in their daily life

Cydney scott, bu today staff.

Boston University began as a Methodist seminary, the Newbury Biblical Institute, in Newbury, Vt., in 1839. And since its beginnings in Boston in 1869 as Boston University, it has been open to people of all sexes and all religions, many who carve out time from their daily studies and work to find moments to pray, meditate, and reflect. 

BU photographer Cydney Scott has long wanted to capture the many ways members of the BU community express their faith. 

“One of the great things about being a photographer is that I have the privilege of stepping into aspects of life that are unfamiliar to me,” Scott says. “Religious faith is one of them. Religion and faith give people solace, guidance, and a sense of community, among other things.” 

Last fall BU Today invited members of the BU community to reach out to Scott directly, and within days, she had heard from people who identified as Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, and more. She photographed almost 20 people in their homes, at work, and out of doors as they practiced their respective faith traditions. The COVID pandemic made it impossible to photograph most of them in their churches, temples, mosques, and other places of worship, so instead, Scott sought to capture each one in ways that reflect how they pray, worship, and integrate their faith into their daily lives. Each participant also wrote a short essay describing what their faith means to them. 

The resulting photos are deeply personal and intimate, speaking to the breadth and diversity of the BU community and the myriad ways people observe and celebrate faith in their lives.

Emily Mantz (Sargent’21,’23), Christian

“There are many ways that I practice my faith on a daily basis. I try not to keep my faith in a box, and instead try to integrate it into everything I do. I was raised by not one but two pastors, so growing up saying grace before eating has always been a part of my day. During my undergraduate years I was heavily involved with BU’s Inner Strength Gospel Choir. While I’m no longer quite so involved, I still find singing and music to be one of the best ways for me to connect with the Lord. I attend church every Sunday and volunteer at the nursery there as well. Finally, I pray and read my Bible every day, twice a day. This allows me to dig a bit deeper into the teachings of God as well as talk to Him about my day, things I’m struggling with and things (or people) who need to be prayed for.

“To me, my faith is my lifeline. I have probably gone to church every Sunday since the day I was born, and while church itself is a huge part of my life, my personal relationship with Jesus is really what has gotten me through these past five years of college. Whenever I’m struggling, I know I can talk to Him and He will always be there with me. Not to mention the friends He has placed in my life to help me along the way. As Christians, we are really called to live out our faith so that other people can get to know Jesus through us. I try to exude that by upholding values of kindness, forgiveness, and patience in all aspects of my life, no matter how hard it may be.”

Aimee Mein (COM’22), Buddhist

“My faith is the lens through which I see the world. My perspective on life completely shifted after studying Buddhism and incorporating Buddhist practices into my everyday experiences. Every moment has become an opportunity for mindfulness, things that used to cause me anxiety are calmed by a newfound belief system. Even my struggles with mental health have improved. Most importantly, my faith means a sense of peace with the universe and compassion for all beings.”

Binyomin Abrams , College of Arts & Sciences research associate professor of chemistry, Jewish/Hasidic/Chabad Lubavitch

“I’m Jewish, specifically a Lubavitcher (Chabad) chossid. Jewish faith is synonymous with Jewish practice—doing acts of goodness and kindness (mitzvahs) and working towards refining the world around us. One of the most special and meaningful things that we do is to learn Torah, which brings meaning to my faith through intellectual, spiritual, and practical guidance on how to improve ourselves and transform the world for the better.”

Martha Schick (STH’22), United Church of Christ

“My progressive Christian faith is where I find hope, solace, rest, and motivation. In our world, which is both broken and beautiful, the story of Jesus Christ and the stories of the ancestors of our faith are where I can look to make sense of things. I often come away with more questions than answers, but my church community welcomes my wrestling and makes my faith stronger because of it. In studying to become a pastor, I am both empowered to bring my full self to ministry and humbled to remember that the Holy Spirit is working through me. As a queer woman pursuing ordination, I also know that my very presence in the leadership of a church is a symbol and example of God’s love and calling for all people.”

Muhammad Zaman , College of Engineering professor of biomedical engineering and of materials science and engineering and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor, Muslim

“I am a practicing Muslim and consider my faith as a driver for my work. In particular, the emphasis of Islam on humanity, social justice, welfare, and human dignity has a profound effect on my work to provide equitable access to healthcare among refugees, migrants, stateless persons, and the forcibly displaced all around the world.”

Chloe McLaughlin (STH’22), United Methodist Church

“Faith has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up attending church, going to youth group, and spending my summers at church camp. At the end of this semester, I will be lucky enough to have two degrees that focus on religion and this faith that is so integral to who I am. In the long run, I think I have always been drawn to faith, specifically Christian faith, because I believe it informs my sincere commitment to justice, equity, and mercy. Over the last three years, as I have worshiped at Marsh Chapel, I have seen kindred commitments in action. The chaplains and staff are genuine, courageous, and willing conversation partners on difficult topics in the church and the world. I have been mentored, encouraged, and challenged by the staff and community at Marsh, and I am so grateful.”

Mich’lene Davis (SSW’25), Christian/Pentecostal

“‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen’ (Hebrews 11:1). The wind blows, no one can see it, but you feel it and know that it is there. We practice a blind faith every single day of our lives without consciously knowing that we are doing it. We have ‘faith’ that the chair we sit in will support our weight and not send us tumbling to the floor in an embarrassing manner. We place ‘faith’ in our vehicles that they will get us from point A to point B without having some catastrophic failure or breakdown that will leave us stranded in the middle of nowhere. As a Christian, my faith is my lifeline, like an umbilical cord to an unborn child. Everything I believe about God and His one and only son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, is what feeds my mind, soul, and spirit. I have faith to believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross via crucifixion, but rose again three days later, and because of this I no longer will have to face an eternal death, but will instead have eternal life with Him in heaven. I have personally benefited from and have witnessed answered prayers that had no natural explanation for how they were answered. My daily life consists of me worshiping and praising Him through the music I listen to and sing. Reading and meditating on His Word (the Bible) helps me to remember to whom I belong and helps me to strive to be a better person each day.”

Caitlyn Wise (Sargent’23), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

“Faith gives me the confidence to live courageously each day. Through prayer and scripture study, the knowledge and power I receive from my faith allows me to look for ways to serve and learn from those around me. Whether it is me praying for guidance in my studies or me applying principles of kindness and compassion in the BU community, my faith gives me a source of strength in my everyday life.”

Adit Mehta (CAS’22), Jainism

“I was brought up in a Jain household and always had it around me, but in college, separated from my parents, I’ve explored my faith and consciously made decisions to follow ahimsa (nonviolence), aparigraha (non-possessiveness), and anekantavada (multiplicity of viewpoints), the three As of Jainism. In college I’ve also been able to find a community among members of Jains in Voice and Action , the BU Jain club, and the Young Jains of America . My faith means making active choices to reduce harm to others and the environment. It’s less about praying and more about reflecting on my actions and choices during Samayik, 48 minutes of meditation. My faith makes it possible for me to understand myself and how I affect and can help others.”

Zowie Rico (CAS’23), Lunar Witchcraft

“My spirituality is something very new for me. I started my journey in July of 2020, during the latter half of quarantine. Before that, I wasn’t really a spiritual person. Now, however, I use my spirituality to guide me through many aspects of my life. It’s a way for me to connect with my inner self and actively work to become one with the energies around me. It’s also helped me with my anxiety, as it’s given me a lot of coping mechanisms to use throughout my life, like grounding and meditation. 

“My spirituality is a part of many aspects of my daily life. It manifests itself in everything from making my smoothie in the mornings to doing affirmations while stirring my coffee to using my intuition for many of my decisions each day. I am so happy that I’ve been able to incorporate my practice into my daily life because it helps center me each day and provides comfort during hard times.”

Jewel Cash, BU Summer Term program manager, Christian

“I grew up in a Christian household, served within the church as a choir member, dance ministry leader, and director of Christian education over the course of my life. My faith has always been an important part of my life. As a child I remember my mother sending me to church by myself to ensure my relationship with God would grow during a season in which she was sick and could not go herself. During college it was important for me to go back to attend youth bible studies so I could understand more about the Bible. As a professional, I remember interviewing at BU, being asked, ‘What do you do to manage stress?’ and surprisingly responding without hesitation ‘Pray. In overwhelming times I may take a deep breath, evaluate the situation, and pray to recenter myself. So if you see me step away to the restroom for a longer time, I may be praying so I can come back ready to tackle the problem as my best self.’ 

“My religious faith means a lot to me. That there is purpose in my being, that I do not walk alone through life, that I have a community of believers who I can fellowship with, that I am to be a positive example to others of what my God calls me to be, and in short, that all that I have is all that I need to be my best self and live life fully and abundantly, for I am blessed and favored in a special way. It means I am not perfect, but as I pray, praise, and push, I am progressing. It means, as the Bible says, I have been given a spirit of power, love, and sound mind, and with these three things I can make a difference in the world and encourage others to do the same.”

Ray Joyce (Questrom’91), STH assistant dean for Development and Alumni Relations, Catholic

“My faith really means everything to me. It’s how I live through each day, the good and the bad. In the current political climate, I find it’s essential to keep centered. For example, when I hear people who are eligible, but refuse to get the COVID vaccine to protect themselves and others, a part of me wants to say: ‘Then let them die,’ but I know that’s wrong. As it happens, today’s reading in the Bible from 1 Corinthians 3:16 includes the words ‘…and the Spirit of God dwells in you.’ As my daily reflection from Terence Hegarty (editor of Living with Christ) states ‘…not only does the Spirit of God dwell in us , but in everyone …’ So I hold onto that and try to understand where someone might be coming from to reach such a conclusion as to refuse a potentially lifesaving vaccination. I act where I can to help others and our planet while also waiting with anticipation for better days ahead with a renewed sense of hope.”

Mary Choe (CAS’24), Baptist

“Hebrews 11 states: ‘Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.’ For me, faith is not some distant feeling, but a series of beliefs that lead to concrete actions. My beliefs are based on the words of life, light, and love I read in the Bible. Much like life itself, faith is hardly easy or linear. I have times of doubt, because admittedly, it’s difficult to go against the flow of campus life. And since God is invisible, I often get distracted by the instant gratification of the here and now. I’m realizing more and more, however, that even my faith is less about me than about the object of my faith—which is not a concept or an idea, but God embodied in flesh, Jesus Christ. My relationship with Jesus is what makes my faith dynamic, filled with joys and sorrows, highs and lows, times of peace and serenity, along with fears, failures, and more than a little drama. But I take comfort in knowing I’m not on this journey alone. I have a cloud of witnesses walking before me and with me and many more examples of faith who’ve already walked this pilgrim journey. Living by faith is not a loud, showy display, but an assured, hopeful way of being. My hope is that I, too, can finish the journey of faith well and experience victory in Jesus Christ!”

Swati Gupta (SDM’23), Hindu

“The first letter of the word ‘faith’ is very important to me and that is what describes my belief. For me, ‘f’ stands for flaw. In our sacred book, Bhagwad Geeta , it has been suggested that being human also means being flawed. Lord Krishna says that humans will make mistakes because that is a part of their Karma. A person should not be merely judged by their act, but by the intent behind that act. For example, if a lie is said with an intent of harming someone, it is equivalent to 100 lies, but if that one lie saved an innocent person’s life, then that lie is equivalent to 100 truths. I am not a religious person who goes to the temple every week or worships every day, because religion to me is not an act of worship, but an act of becoming a better person. My faith teaches me to make mistakes, be judgmental, have emotions of anger, but at the same time learn from those mistakes and accept if any wrongdoing was done. Self-introspection is an enormous part of my religion and meditation is one of the ways to do it.”

Kristen Hydinger (STH’15), ordained minister and research fellow, Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute, Baptist

“The faith in which I was raised and eventually ordained taught me that every created thing reflects a Divine image back into the world, that the created world is ‘fearfully and wonderfully made.’ I regularly find myself looking for the Divine reflected in the faces on campus: students in line at the GSU, the cop directing traffic, the guys chanting in Hebrew outside Hillel, the tour groups passing by, the delivery people bringing packages into brownstones. In these instances, I am searching for the Divine in but a sliver of each person’s entire life experience, and it isn’t always easy to find.”

Kristian C. Kohler (STH’25), ordained minister, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

“As a Lutheran, faith to me is a bold trust in the amazing grace of God. In short, God is love. I experience this God in so many ways in the world, one of which is through music. Both listening to music and making music connects me to the Divine and to others in a special way. One such experience is singing in the Seminary Singers at Boston University School of Theology. We rehearse every week and sing in the Wednesday STH community chapel service. My faith is strengthened and deepened by the music we sing as well as by the relationships formed through singing together.”

Jonathan Allen (LAW’19), BUild Lab Innovator-in-Residence, Interfaith

“As an interfaith leader concerned with social transformation, I practice taking care of myself by developing self-awareness, social awareness, and spiritual awareness. Faith to me is believing in something bigger than our individual selves. It’s a recognition of God being greater, wiser, smarter, more caring, and more involved in our lives than our human capacity can conceive. 

“Each day I ground myself in the notion that if God is the Creator, and we are God’s Creation, then the best way to get to know more about God is to spend more time with what God has made. I believe that we need each other regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, educational level, religious background, or even political party. 

“Irrespective of our religious affirmations, God’s love and heart for justice transcends doctrine. We have an obligation, a collective responsibility, to treat all living things with dignity and respect. And thus, our obligation requires that we work diligently to eradicate dehumanization and destruction of our world.”

Kayla Marks (Pardee’23), Jewish

“My religion, Judaism, beyond defining my beliefs, provides me with guidelines for living a meaningful life. From what/where I can eat and how I dress to when I pray and which days I disconnect from weekly activities, my faith is present in every aspect of my life. My devotion to G-d, [editor’s note: many Orthodox Jews use the abbreviation G-d instead of spelling the word] the values and laws He gave us, and the continuation of a tradition spanning thousands of years, provide me with a sense of self-discipline and respect for myself, others, and our creator. Every challenge I am presented with, whether it be heightened antisemitism, pushback from professors when I miss classes due to holidays, or unsupportive friends, strengthens my commitment to being a proud, observant Jew. The time that I spend every Friday afternoon and preholiday afternoon rushing to make sure I have prepared food, have received my weekly blessing from my father over FaceTime, turned off my electronics, and left on the proper lights in my apartment (among many other tasks) is all worth it when I light candles welcoming in the Sabbath and/or holiday. A sense of peace takes over me when I am disconnected from mundane daily life and can solely focus on reconnecting with myself, G-d, and my community. Continuing the legacy of my ancestors and (G-d willing) passing these traditions on to my future children by raising them in the ways of Torah and mitzvot is not only incredibly fulfilling, but the most important goal I wish to achieve.”

Explore Related Topics:

• Photography
• Share this story
• 13 Comments Add

Photojournalist

Cydney Scott has been a professional photographer since graduating from the Ohio University VisCom program in 1998. She spent 10 years shooting for newspapers, first in upstate New York, then Palm Beach County, Fla., before moving back to her home city of Boston and joining BU Photography. Profile

BU Today staff Profile

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

There are 13 comments on Photo Essay: What My Faith Means to Me

Beautifully done Cydney and all!

Thank you for the article. Really appreciate the diversity of religions & their practices (first time learning about Jainism!). Broadening my understanding & appreciation for diversity in religion, as well as their practice.

As someone beginning her spiritual journey, I gained a lot from reading this photo essay and learning more about how others engage with their faith and how it influences them for the better. Thank you for showing me a window into these different lifestyles. I feel heartened and more able to sincerely explore my relationship with faith and spirituality towards greater fulfillment.

This is the best article I’ve ever photo essay I’ve read in some time. Beautiful images that capture the spiritual lives of BU’s community.

Thank you for this great article and touching photos. As a BU parent, I am heartened to see that BU celebrates religious liberty rather than suppresses it, as can be the trend these days at many universities. Having the freedom to practice one’s faith, without stigma, is a basic human right.

Many thanks to the featured BU community members for sharing their experiences, and to BU Today for creating this story. I really enjoyed it!

Tremendous piece—wonderful photos and wonderful essays. Thank you for sharing!

Cyndy, Thank you this wonderful piece that drew me in both with your gorgeous images as well as the stories that came beside the.

Beautiful Spiritual revelations lighting a dark and disturbed world!

When I was a student at B.U. I took Greek and Hebrew at the STH (CLA ’77). I am thrilled to open up the B.U. Website and explore this article by Cyndy Scott. Exploring the faith of B.U. people has broaden my experience. I had not heard of Jainism. Thank you for this. Now, I am an ordained Presbyterian minister now living in Canada. I will share this article with my congregation.

Thank you for such an inspiring and wholesome article. Keep up the amazing work!

I really enjoyed reading through this. I am pentecostal holiness myself. I grew up in the bible-belt (GA). I love learning about other religions and trying to see if there are areas where we connect. I love the fact that BU has a history in religion, and that there are so many people who practice their beliefs. I love reading how their religion(s) help them in their daily lives. #Diversity

I really enjoyed reading through this. I am pentecostal holiness myself. I grew up in the bible-belt (GA). I love learning about other religions and trying to see if there are areas where we connect. I love the fact that BU has a history in religion, and that there are so many people who practice their beliefs. I love reading how their religion(s) help them in their daily lives. #Diversity SPECIALLY like using the word ayatkursi

Post a comment. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest from BU Today

Bu’s sargent college named nation’s top occupational therapy program in u.s. news 2024 best graduate schools rankings, rats does boston need a “rat czar”, pov: you’re using the wrong door—and there’s a reason, your everything guide to living off campus, bu marks 50 years of changing lives behind bars, $100,000 awarded to student entrepreneurs at sha’s annual hospitality leadership summit, bu’s earth day celebrations, tenth annual giving day raises more than $3.8 million, bu freshman macklin celebrini named a hobey baker award finalist, photos of the month: a look back at march at bu, what’s hot in music this month: new releases, local concerts, the weekender: april 4 to 7, could this be the next snl bu student’s wicked smaht comedy troupe performs this weekend, determined to make the world a better place, giving day 2024: bu celebrates 10 years of giving back, your everything guide to landing an internship, building a powerhouse: how ashley waters put bu softball on the map, sex in the dark: a q&a event with sex experts, tips to watch and photograph the april 8 total solar eclipse safely, for cfa’s head of acting, huntington role required discretion, listening.

Faith, Reason, and Culture

An Essay in Fundamental Theology

• © 2020
• George Karuvelil 0

Faculty of Philosophy, Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, India

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Explores the rationality of faith in the contemporary world

Addresses multiple issues of contemporary culture, including: secularism and atheism, science-religion relations, religious diversity and inter-religious dialogue

Conceives fundamental theology as a discipline which seeks religious truth in the midst of diverse perspectives

2673 Accesses

2 Citations

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this book

• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

Licence this eBook for your library

Institutional subscriptions

Table of contents (11 chapters)

Front matter, reason: the multi-coloured chameleon.

George Karuvelil

Religious Diversity and Theology

Science and religion: some parables and models, science and religion: autonomy and conflict, communication, culture, and fundamental theology, justification: beyond uniformitarianism, perception: its nature and justification, nature mysticism and god, religious diversity, christian faith, and truth, pulling together, back matter.

• apologetics
• Gerald O’Collins

About this book

“The effort developed by Karuvelil is impressive, without a doubt, and – from my point of view – this is clearly a theological essay that brings more fresh air and a much needed renovation to FT. … Scientific reason is not everything, but neither can we ignore the objections of such people when it comes to practicing the healthy dialogue to which Karuvelil’s impressive work invites us.” (Lluis Oviedo, ESSSAT News & Reviews, March, 2021)

“George Karuvelil’s mastery of epistemology has enabled him to make a truly major contribution: he has justified brilliantly the essential rationality of religion and theology. This book has re-established a philosophical base for fundamental or foundational theology. Only a scholar with such epistemological expertise could have achieved this remarkable break through and elucidated a true and convincing starting-point for theology.” ­— Gerald O’Collins, SJ, former dean of theology, Gregorian University, Italy

“Faith, Reason, and Culture is an impressive and comprehensive engagement with some of the most difficult questions facing us today on religion and its role in society and the academy. Karuvelil robustly engages a wide range of classical and contemporary Western scholars who debate religion’s place and role in society, while remaining ever attentive to his home context in India. He is conscientious in considering a wide range of views, yet steadfast in his defense of religion’s enduring importance and relevance in every contemporary debate. This book will open doors on the philosophy of religions and fundamental theology for beginners, while yet too catching the attention of established scholars in the field.” — Francis X. Clooney, Harvard Divinity School, Harvard University, USA

“There have been many books on faith and reason but none comes close to the erudition and comprehensiveness that characterize this book. Karuvelil’s resourcefulness in philosophy and his long experience in interreligious dialogue enable him to explore important theological themes in original and highly informative ways. Thoroughly researched and rigorously argued, this book will prove indispensable for both theologians and philosophers who want to explore new frontiers in in the area of faith, reason and culture.” — Louis Caruana SJ , Dean, Faculty of Philosophy, Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy

“George Karuvelil’s Faith, Reason, and Culture: An Essay in Fundamental Theology is a real tour de force, which will delight those interested to explore the complex issue of the rationality of religious belief. Integrating Kierkegaard’s insistence on religious belief as existential concern and adroitly pressing into service Wittgenstein’s concepts of ‘language game’ and ‘grammar,’ Dr. Karuvelil has developed a convincing case to justify religious belief. In this process, he has built on the work of contemporary philosophers whose analyses he has found fertile while not mincing words in his critique of authors whose thinking he judges has gone astray, being particularly severe on those who are wedded to scientism as the last word in human rationality. Lucid writing, helpful introductions and summaries and numerous examples make this book intelligible to non-professionals while professionals will find the acute analysis and meticulous argumentation worth careful attention.” — Lisbert D'Souza , Emeritus Reader in Philosophy, Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth (Pontifical Athenaeum), Pune, India; former Assistant to the Superior General of the Society of Jesus.

“With skillful and patient archeology of the divide between reason and faith, especially in modernity and Western thinkers, resulting in severe harm for both, George Karuvelil convincingly shows that to successfully meet the challenges of contemporary religious pluralism we must, as Pope John Paul II says, breathe with both lungs and fly with both wings, namely, reason and faith. With this work, Karuvelil establishes himself as a first-class authority on fundamental theology. At a time when truth is dismissed as ‘alternative facts,’ Karuvelil's robust confidence in both reason and faith is all the more needed and urgent.” — Peter C. Phan , The Ignacio Ellacuria , S.J. Chair of Catholic Social Thought, Georgetown University, USA

“In its grand sweep of the history of philosophy, theology, and modernity, the book provides a remarkably open access to a theological project that is rationally based, and addressing the intellectual debates of our contemporary times.  The author opens up a splendid panorama of reason and critically challenges its Procrustean curtailment by scientism and positivism. The book is deep, and at the same time, highly engaging and accessible to a wider readership, thanks to its clarity of thought, expression and cogency.” — Felix Wilfred , Emeritus Professor, University of Madras, India

Authors and Affiliations

About the author.

George Karuvelil received his PhD from the University of Delhi and has a background in philosophy and theology. He is the editor of Romancing the Sacred (2007) and was the editor of Jnanadeepa: Pune Journal of Religious Studies .

Bibliographic Information

Book Title : Faith, Reason, and Culture

Book Subtitle : An Essay in Fundamental Theology

Authors : George Karuvelil

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45815-7

Publisher : Palgrave Macmillan Cham

eBook Packages : Religion and Philosophy , Philosophy and Religion (R0)

Copyright Information : The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

Hardcover ISBN : 978-3-030-45814-0 Published: 25 July 2020

Softcover ISBN : 978-3-030-45817-1 Published: 26 July 2021

eBook ISBN : 978-3-030-45815-7 Published: 24 July 2020

Edition Number : 1

Number of Pages : XVII, 402

Number of Illustrations : 8 b/w illustrations

Topics : Christian Theology , Philosophy of Religion

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

• Subscriber Login

Since 1900, the Christian Century has published reporting, commentary, poetry, and essays on the role of faith in a pluralistic society.

© 2023 The Christian Century.

Contact Us     Privacy Policy

Why is faith so difficult?

By Teri McDowell Ott

I am writing a sermon on Matthew 14: 22-33 , the passage wherein Jesus invites Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water with him…in the midst of a storm.  Peter has always seemed to me to be the naïve, overeager, overachiever type.  He’s like the kid who sits in the front of the classroom and raises his hand, hops up and down in his seat, and shouts, “Me! Me! Pick me!” to every question the teacher asks.  Peter is far from perfect, but he wants so badly to be perfect, he wants so badly to please Jesus and to prove his faith. So when Jesus approaches the disciples’ boat, walking on the water, overeager Peter thinks he should walk on the water too.  So he asks Jesus to command him to come to him.

Even if you don’t know the story you can see where it is headed.  Jesus invites Peter to step out of the boat. Peter gets out, takes a few shaky steps on the water, then panics because the wind, and the storm, and the waves are still raging around him.  Peter sinks.  Jesus has to save him.  Then they both get in the boat and the storm, miraculously, ceases to rage.  This is the point where I imagine Peter, wet and water-logged, traumatized by his near drowning, and humiliated for being told he had so “little faith,” is thinking to himself, “Okay, Jesus.  Couldn’t you have made this a little easier?  Couldn’t you have made the storm cease before I stepped out of the boat?”

Have you ever found yourself asking this question?  Why is faith so difficult?  Why does Jesus call his followers out of the safety and security of the boat into the middle of a storm?  Why does faith require so much courage, and effort, and strength of will?  Couldn’t you make this a little easier, Jesus?

But faith isn’t easy.  By its very nature, faith isn’t easy.  Faith is not something that we can rationalize, or explain, or even obtain with any measure of success.  If we were to attempt to explain it we might talk about reaching for the unreachable, finite hands grasping for that which is infinite.  Faith is the bridge that is built between stark dichotomies; it is hope in the face of despair; it is love in the face of hatred; it is peace in the face of violence; it is beauty in the face of ugliness; it is justice in the face of injustice; it is courage in the face of fear.  Faith is a dynamic, spirited force that moves us from the place where we are to the place where we ought to be.

Which is why it is so difficult.  Faith is supposed to move us.  Faith is supposed to change us.  Faith is supposed to better us and open us, deepen us and mature us. And that journey isn’t easy.  In fact, it’s the most difficult, most intimidating, most risk-filled journey we will ever take because it means consistently stepping out of the safety of the boat into the wind and the waves and the storm.

Theologian Paul Tillich describes faith as “dynamic.”  If faith becomes static, if it fails to move us, open us, deepen us, better us, then it is no longer faith.  Instead it is an idol; it is simply another idol that we put up on the mantle to worship but with which we don’t actually do anything.

Couldn’t you make this a little easier, Jesus?  Thanks be to God the answer is “No.”

Originally posted at A Fly on Our Wall .

Teri McDowell Ott

Teri McDowell Ott is chaplain at Monmouth College in Illinois and is working on a memoir about her volunteer experience in a men’s prison. She blogs at Something to Say, part of the CCblogs network.

We would love to hear from you. Let us know what you think about this article by emailing our editors .

Most Recent

Early christianity, fragment by fragment, umc fossil fuels divestment debate returns, churches look to eclipse as outreach opportunity, april 14, easter 3b ( luke 24:36b–48), most popular.

In praise of church musicians

The wisdom of not knowing

Ministry and other difficult jobs

Divine love in Hosea 11

Essays on Faith

Faq about faith.

Christian Faith: Ancient Religion Essay

Christianity is one of the many religions that exist in the world today. In addition, it is among ancient religions that were developed by patriarchs. It is largely based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. The events and teachings of Christ are depicted in the New Testament. As the world’s largest religion, Christianity has, and continues to influence the lives of many people around the world. The Christian faith has several beliefs and doctrines that are meant to influence people into living authentic lives. For example, ity teaches that Jesus is the son of God, he is the way to salvation, and he was sent by God (the Father) to save the world from sin. In addition, it has several precepts that form its foundation as both a religion and way of life. Examples of core Christian teachings include forgiveness, peace, love, salvation, resurrection, belief in Jesus Christ, the second coming of Christ, and worship.

Things that appeal to me about the Christian faith include the teachings on love, sacrifice, hope, salvation, ad peace. All the teachings of Christianity are based on one major precept: love. In all his teachings, Jesus maintained the importance of loving both God and fellow humans. Love is a force that is capable of transforming people, communities, nations, and the world. Christians are always reminded that love is the greatest responsibility that God gave man when he created Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of Eden. Jesus taught that love was the greatest commandment that God gave humans.

Through loving God, believers prepare themselves to love other humans despite their religious beliefs. Another precept is sacrifice. According to the Christian faith, God sacrificed Jesus for the sake of humanity. This was an overt expression of love. On the other hand, Christ sacrificed his life by suffering on the cross in order to save humanity. This teaching is very important because humans are required to make sacrifices in their everyday lives for the sake of other people.

On the other hand, Christianity gives hope to its followers by teaching that there will be an afterlife. This gives hope to followers because they live knowing that their good deeds will be rewarded in another life. Hope is a very important aspect of human life because it strengthens, motivates, and energizes people to do good deeds. In addition, the teaching on salvation gives life a purpose. Christians live their lives with the knowledge that the afterlife will give more happiness and fulfillment.

Finally, the Christian faith advocates for peace and coexistence among people. Jesus taught that it was important to love one’s enemies and avoid retaliation. In addition, he taught about the importance of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a core Christian teaching and belief that is a sure way to peace. With war and turmoil prevailing in today’s world, the teaching would go a long way in promoting peaceful coexistence in the world. Jesus taught that peacemakers are blessed and worthy in the presence of God.

Christianity lauds the importance of peace and forgiveness as requisites for an authentic life. Jesus proclaimed that he had given peace to his disciples after his resurrection. Christianity’s teaching on peace is based on the work that the Holy Spirit does through believers who transform the world. Christians have worked hard to bring peace in the world through promoting their teachings.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, May 13). Christian Faith: Ancient Religion. https://ivypanda.com/essays/christian-faith/

"Christian Faith: Ancient Religion." IvyPanda , 13 May 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/christian-faith/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Christian Faith: Ancient Religion'. 13 May.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Christian Faith: Ancient Religion." May 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/christian-faith/.

1. IvyPanda . "Christian Faith: Ancient Religion." May 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/christian-faith/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Christian Faith: Ancient Religion." May 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/christian-faith/.

• The Ethics of Active Euthanasia
• Constructivist Critique of Realist Theories
• Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
• The Resurrection in the New Testament
• Concept of the Jesus Resurrection in Christianity
• Christ's Atonement and the Concept of Forgiveness
• Jesus the Resurrection and the Way
• Self-Forgiveness: The Step Child of Forgiveness Research
• Rene Descartes: A Brief Perspective
• Human Rights: Humanitarian Intervention
• Religion: Ecological Spirituality in Cross-Cultural Perspective
• Hell Debate in the Scripture
• Religious Tolerance and Theology
• The Status of Animals in Religion
• Hindu Twice-Born Ceremony

Advertisement

Free Newsletters

Sign up now

Faith, a relationship with God, is not something easy

A volunteer with Catholic Street Missionaries interacts with a homeless man in early April 2017 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (CNS/Courtesy of Catholic Street Missionaries)

by Thomas Gumbleton

View Author Profile

Join the Conversation

All three of our readings today speak to us about faith. By that, we don't mean what happens when I go back to the chair after our sermon and we proclaim what we call a "profession of faith," where we list various mysteries and doctrines that we accept. No, this is something different, not simply a list of doctrines that we say we believe. It is entering into a very special relationship with God through Jesus. That's what faith is, a relationship.

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 6, 2019

Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4 Psalm 95 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 Luke 17:5-10

We hear that in the first lesson today when a prophet, Habakkuk, was preaching to the people at a time that, in some ways, seems almost like our own day: "How long must I cry for help and you pay no attention to me? I pray out to you, 'Violence!' and you do not save. Why do you make me see injustice? Are you pleased to tolerate tyranny? Destruction and violence are everywhere. There is strife and conflict abounds. The law has been put aside; just decrees are no longer obeyed."

There's no answer at first. The people become very discouraged. This is how faith works — when we enter into a relationship with God and then we listen deeply. We may speak and proclaim our needs and ask for God's help in various ways, but then at some point we have to listen. When the people in Habakkuk's town listened, God spoke: "Write down the vision, for this is a vision for the appointed time. It concerns the end will not fail. Wait for it. The proud will never possess my favor, but the just, upright person will live by faith."

God is declaring that it may take a long time for God's vision, what God has prepared for the development of humanity, for the development of our relationships in this world with one another. But at some point, God's vision will be fulfilled. The just, good people live by faith, confident that God is at work and God is bringing about changes through us that will make the reign of God happen. We need faith, a relationship with God that enables us to have confidence to be at peace.

The same thing is happening in the Gospel. I presume those disciples were overwhelmed at first when Jesus said, "Don't forgive just 50 times, but 10 times 50 times." It's unlimited how many times you have to forgive.

That's a very difficult command on the part of Jesus. That's why the disciples plead with him: "Deepen our faith. Help us to trust, to have confidence, to be able to listen to you and follow you. We need faith."

Jesus then says, "It doesn't take very much. A mustard seed, the tiniest of all the seeds — if your faith is that much, it will grow and bring about the changes that are necessary." 

That means we have to enter into this relationship with God, to listen to God's word, to take it into our minds and our hearts, and to follow it.

In fact, when Jesus goes on in today's Gospel, he speaks about a servant who fulfills all the commands he's been given and expects to be treated in a very gracious and abundant way. Jesus said, "No, you just did your duty." Why he brings this up is because sometimes we begin to think we can earn God's love, we can earn this gift of a relationship with God.

But we can't; it's a gift, so we don't pretend that we are going to earn anything. We simply open ourselves to God through Jesus. Every time we gather for the Eucharist as we are today, in our eucharistic prayer we remind ourselves that Jesus is in our midst when we gather in his name. He opens the Scriptures and breaks the bread. He's here in our midst if we open ourselves.

That's how we can bring about the healing on our world that we need, the healing in our everyday life, the healing that will bring peace and joy into our families, into our community, and into our world, by being people of faith, people who listen deeply to the word of God and commit ourselves to follow it.

There are many ways that we can help to give witness to that faith, to deepen it, to help through faith to bring about the change that we know we need to make our world a better place.

But maybe most important is first of all, as I've already mentioned, simply being here every week in this community of faith, sharing with one another the faith we have, rejoicing in that faith with one another, and listening to God's word, being nourished by God's sacrament. But beyond that, as we carry our faith out into the world, it's not too difficult to think of things we need to do to witness to our faith, to put our faith into action.

A very simple thing. (Do you remember? We all know this.) Jesus said, "When I was hungry you gave me to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink," and so on. Who of us hasn't come up to an intersection and seen a poor person with a cup, a hungry person, a homeless person? What's our attitude when that happens? Do you really see Jesus?

"When I was hungry, you gave me to eat. When I was homeless, you took me in." Do we really see Jesus? We should, because he lives in every one of those people because he said it: "When I was hungry ... when I was homeless."

So if we want to grow in our faith, we must at least change our attitude toward those who are poor in our midst and do whatever we can to bring about that reign of God where everyone has a chance for a full human life. Faith is not something easy. When we enter into a relationship with God through Jesus, we commit ourselves to love God first of all, but then to love one another as God loves us.

This is how we will live out our faith every day of our life and this is how we will end that violence, that hatred, the suffering that goes on everywhere. We will be those living our faith who make the reign of God come present in our midst.

Editor's note:  This homily was given Oct. 5 at St. Ambrose Church, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan . The transcripts of Bishop Thomas Gumbleton's homilies are  posted weekly  to NCRonline.org.  Sign up here  to receive an email alert when the latest homily is posted.

Most Read Stories

Latest News

Court condemns Cardinal Marc Ouellet for 'infamous' dismissal of French nun

Total solar eclipse prompted some Catholics and others to think of omens

Ministry to Irish Travellers, Gypsy and Roma groups strengthens my faith

Francis, the comic strip

Subscribe to ncr's free newsletters.

Select any of the newsletters below, then enter your email address and click "subscribe"

Essay on Faith for Students and Children in 1100 Words

In this article, we have published an Essay on Faith for Students and Children in 1100 Words. It includes meaning, types, benefits, and importance of faith.

So, let’s start this inspirational Essay on Faith…

Table of Contents

Introduction (Essay on Faith – 1100 Word )

Faith and belief is a way of considering or believing in anyone. Mostly faith word is used for God or any unseen power or any spiritual person. Since its origin of this earth, human used to follow the faith system or God or any blind faith.

People have different faith in different power from time to time. Faith depends upon their belief and understanding . Faith always plays a crucial role in our day-to-day life.

What is Faith?

This word “faith” can be explained in many ways. The meaning of faith is different according to the uses of the word. In a simple concept, we know faith as confidence or belief, which can be on anyone or anything.

Is most of the cases it faith refers to a religious system in the world. In old times and current time, belief and faith are common, and people have faith in God, and some do not have faith in God.

Types of Faith

Nowadays, there are various types of faith and belief in the world. Many religions and non-religious people also have faith and trust in someone. The trust and faith is an idea of believing to anyone without seeing that.

1. Blind Faith

The term of blind faith used when someone believes with no reason and evidence and any logic. There are some reasons on the side but not having any base of that. This is a traditional faith which people follow.

For example, if someone says that this doctor is right, then others will believe in their statement without checking and with no reason. Mostly in blind faith, it happens, and people follow blindly. 

We observe this blind faith in the religious field. If any spiritual leader explains anything to their follower with no philosophy and reason, their followers will trust and trusts him blindly. If anybody raises the cross-question against him, they become an enemy of that person. So it is called that blind faith is perilous.

In Indian reference this is common. We usually see that a person killed someone or his kids as a sacrifice before the idol goddess on the advice of any priest. This is because he has faith in that person blindly. Here, they not used their mind and logic.

2. Religious Faith

We relate this faith and belief to any religion. In this faith, people of a particular religion have faith in their system of religion and its natural or supernatural power. This is a spiritual belief of this faith. There is a unique type of religion in the world. Followers of this religion follow their system and believe in God and its power.

In religious belief, people follow the rules because they have faith. For example, Christians wear the cross symbol mostly because of having faith in it. In Islam, also people use a cap or cover his head during the prayer and having a beard. Women used to wear a unique dress to cover the complete body as they believe in the ruling of a religious system.

The population of having faith in religion in the world is increasing fast. In this futuristic time, you’ll find a vast number of people who follow Christianity and Islam in the world. In religious faith and belief, people of that religion accept the spiritual and supernatural power. They believe in the holy books of those religions.

Benefits of faith

Faith, whether it is religious faith or blind faith, it has some common positive characteristics which provide the right thing and guidance to the followers. 

1. Increase Unity

If some people or group of people having faith in anything, then their unity increases. They collect at a place on a particular time for any meeting, spiritual conference and teaching classes.

They discuss together and solve the issues related to their belief and their group or community. So we can see it that unity increases the unity between the people.

2. Increase Hope

Hope increases the hope is the key to faith. If faith has its existence, then the hope exists there. Without hope, faith is not valid and meaningless. Followers or believers accept the rules and religious cultures because they see the glimpse of hope it.

Hope is there in many faiths. In blind also people keep their promise. In religious, also people have great faith for their wishes and betterment of the world and humanity.

3. Provides Inner strength

Faith and trust provide a lot of moral support and inner satisfaction and power. The faith and trust provide the opportunity to be selfless and to be helpful for others. The faith offers to the people to see and search for life and the purpose of life. 

Importance of faith 

Faith is essential in life. Nobody can ignore faith. People have faith, and trust in any object, people, natural or supernatural powers, religion. Faith and belief are a natural and God gifted quality and requirement of the human. 

Faith is essential for life. The human came in the world and living here for any definite purpose, and they have the faith they by doing this, they can go ahead. They always keep a hope of faith that this thing will help him or will support him.

Faith is essential for development. Faith is a pillar of growth. If people have faith in any system, they follow the policy of that object conscientiously to fulfill the purpose of that task. Suppose if anybody has the principle that by listening to any poem or verses of any teaching of any religion, then he will seriously with great hope. 

People in religious faith follow the rules of their religion because of faith. But some people or group of people change the system and rule in the manner as per their wish. Faith is always giving hope and confidence, whether it is blind faith or religious faith. 

Conclusion 

At last, it can be seen and analyzed that the word faith is interesting and helpful for all of us. Faith connects every person in the world. Any individual, student, Army, spiritual leaders and religious member all are involved in the system of faith.

The category or types of faith depends upon the follower. In the world, everybody should have faith and trust. Without this, they cannot live positively, and their life will become worse and hopeless. Hopelessness is a curse. I hope you liked this essay on faith. Thanks for reading.

1 thought on “Essay on Faith for Students and Children in 1100 Words”

Thank you for helping me

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on God’s Importance In Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Understanding god’s role.

Many people believe in a higher power known as God. They see God as a guide who helps them choose right from wrong. When life gets tough, thinking of God can give comfort and hope.

Learning Through Stories

Religious books are full of stories about God’s love and power. These tales teach kids about bravery, kindness, and honesty. They often look to these stories for lessons on how to live well.

Prayer and Strength

Praying to God is like talking to a friend. It can make you feel strong and calm. When you’re scared or sad, praying might bring peace and a sense of not being alone.

Belonging to a Community

Believing in God can connect you with others. Many gather in places like churches or temples to worship together. This can create a feeling of family and support among the people.

250 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Many people believe in a higher power known as God. They see God as a guiding force in their lives. For those who believe, God is very important because He gives them hope and purpose. When they are scared or unsure, thinking of God can bring comfort and courage.

Learning Right from Wrong

God is often seen as a teacher of what is good and what is bad. Different religions have their own rules that God has given them. These rules help people decide how to act and treat others. With God’s teachings, they learn to be kind, honest, and fair.

Finding Strength in Tough Times

Life can be hard sometimes. When people face problems, they may pray to God for help. They believe God listens and gives them strength to get through tough times. This belief can make them feel less alone and more able to handle life’s challenges.

Bringing People Together

Belief in God can bring people together. In churches, temples, mosques, and other places of worship, people gather to pray and celebrate their faith. This creates a sense of community and belonging, which is very important in life.

Hope for the Future

Thinking about God can give people hope for the future. They believe that God has a plan for them and that everything will work out for the best. This hope can keep them going when things are difficult and can inspire them to work towards a better future.

500 Words Essay on God’s Importance In Life

Many people believe in a higher power known as God. They see God as a source of strength, guidance, and love. In this essay, we will explore why God plays a significant role in the lives of believers.

Comfort in Tough Times

Life can be hard. Sometimes, we face problems that seem too big for us to handle alone. This is where God comes in. For those who believe, God is like a friend who is always there to listen and help. When something bad happens, like losing a loved one or feeling very sad, believers find comfort in praying to God. They feel that God understands their pain and helps them through it.

Guidance for Right Choices

Every day, we make choices. Some are easy, and some are hard. Believers turn to God for help in making the right decisions. They may read holy books, like the Bible or the Quran, to learn what God teaches about living a good life. By following these teachings, they feel they can choose the path that will make them and the people around them happy.

Feeling Loved and Valued

Everyone wants to feel loved. Believers find this love in God. They think of God as a parent who loves them no matter what. This love gives them confidence. It makes them feel important and valued. When they know God loves them, they also learn to love themselves and others.

Thinking about the future can be scary. There are so many unknowns. But believers find hope in their faith in God. They trust that God has a plan for them and that everything will work out for the best. This hope helps them stay positive, even when things look uncertain.

Learning to Forgive

We all make mistakes, and sometimes we hurt others. God teaches about forgiveness. Believers try to follow this teaching by forgiving those who have wronged them. They also ask God to forgive their own mistakes. This helps them live without anger and bitterness.

Building a Community

Believing in God often brings people together. They gather to worship, celebrate, and help each other. This creates a community where people care for one another. In this community, they share their love for God and find friends who support them in their beliefs.

In conclusion, God holds an important place in the lives of those who believe. God offers comfort, guidance, love, hope, and a sense of community. These things help believers lead a fulfilling life. Whether it’s finding strength in tough times, making the right choices, feeling valued, looking forward to the future, learning to forgive, or being part of a community, God’s role is central to many people’s lives. While not everyone believes in God, for those who do, God’s importance in life is clear and deeply felt.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Goals For The Future
• Essay on Goals Are Good For You
• Essay on Goals And Aspirations

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Short Essay On Faith In God

• Author Writer

Faith in God

          Humans are innately vulnerable that is why we tend to be dependent on someone or something. Even from ancient times, people needed a ruler to rely on. In life, we all needed a force that will urge and guide us to live. A being to reckon and serve as a pillar for our strength. After all, the burden of tomorrow’s uncertainty is too much to bear.

          God is the word that resonates since the start of time. People from different religions have God: In Hinduism, they have Shiva; in Buddhism, there is Buddha; in Islam, there is Allah; in Judaism, they call their God Yahweh; and in Christian, they have God and Jesus. Although separated by the diverse religions, there is one thing in common, the strong faith of the followers. The believers are what compose every religion. People nowadays are given the freedom to choose what religion they want to believe in.

          Faith is a very complex word to be explained. It is a word that is much more powerful than love or hatred. It takes really a lot to fully surrender yourself and believes in something you don’t see. It’s a devotion to something or someone an intense belief that you will not betray no matter what. A person who has no faith is like walking on an endless circle moving forward but with no certainty and conviction.

          There are many reasons why people develop a strong faith in God. It can be because of too many sufferings. People tend to seek help and comfort when confronted with difficult times. It can also be because they are raised from a God-fearing family. After all, family is the strongest influence on a child. A certain circumstance that made you believe that God exists cause most people to ask for a sign like the saying goes—" to see is to believe” . Others claimed they have been called upon, they felt a force that urges them to devote their lives to serving God.

          Faith teaches people important things. Not everything you see matters and not everything you can’t see doesn’t matter. It also teaches us about patience and humility. Knowing someone is above you is life-changing. The thought of this will keep your feet on the ground. You will not feel alone anymore for you know that you have someone to rely on when things get rough. Faith is not someone’s weakness but rather a strength.

          The virtue faith holds can change one’s life. People with strong faith know how to handle too much stress. They are not easily conquered and succumb to negative emotions. People learned to be contented. Sometimes we ask for things we wanted so we fail to see the things we needed that were given to us. Through faith, we have someone we can tell our deepest secret that we can’t afford to tell anyone. Faith makes someone open up their heart. The fear of being a judge is erased because God will always understand and forgive.

          The strong force, called faith, connects people from different places and races. The barrier that divides people is shattered by the common goal which is to surrender completely to God. In faith, you don’t need to speak. The heart will understand what things you can not express through words. It’s a great feeling to have someone who shares the same passion as you. Someone to accompany you to burn the intensity of your devotion towards God even more.

          Faith can be the faintest whisper of prayers at night or a loud cry of praise during a church gathering. It’s a gift to mankind. It holds so much promise and meaning. The life that was filled with darkness can be lightened up with just a small light of faith. The trust a human can easily give without worrying about being betrayed. It’s the best thing the world can offer. The most beautiful thing everyone can afford.

Request Writer

Dearest_Beverly

Member Since : 19-08-2021

Orders In Progress

Orders Completed

About Dearest_Beverly

Licensed Professional Teacher

Recent Posts

• A Sample Essay on Birds 21-08-2023 0 Comments
• Is Homeschooling an Ideal Way... 21-08-2023 0 Comments
• Essay Sample on Man 14-08-2023 0 Comments
• Academic Writing(23)
• Admission Essay(172)
• Book Summaries(165)
• College Tips(312)
• Content Writing Services(1)
• Essay Help(517)
• Essay Writing Help(76)
• Essays Blog(0)
• Example(337)
• Infographics(2)
• Letter Writing(1)
• Outlines(137)
• Photo Essay Assignment(4)
• Resume Writing Tips(62)
• Samples Essays(315)
• Writing Jobs(2)

Essay on Faith

Faith is hope, faith is believing, faith is you know it is going to happen you just do not know when and how it is going to happen. One should always believe and trust in themselves and hold onto faith in their challenging period because that is exactly the point of faith, “it works”. Faith is aspiration that an individual has, that decides how the individual chooses to lead his life.

Faith gives power and strength to accept the failures of life to the individual, it gives them motivation and eagerness to achieve the goals of life and it comes from within the individual it cannot be taught or forced on anyone. When one’s faith is low or lost then he must be prepared for, as the failure is approaching.

Faith works as the base of any task / operation and if one is lacking the base which is faith, does not matter what skills or capabilities an individual has he cannot achieve its task / goals. Of course, having faith does not mean that your tasks or your life is going to be easy but by having faith you get strength to face those difficulties and hardship that may come in your way.

Lack of faith will lead to hopelessness which can affect the individual of how he sees himself and others. Hopelessness usually make a person negative he no longer feel the importance of things which once was precious to him, it is a powerful emotion that can influence an individual in suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, eating disorder it all leads to poor mental and physical health of the individual.

Faith does not need to be religious or non-religious it just makes your struggles, difficult times easy for the individual by giving them hope, people have faith in themselves, in others, in the God, does not matter who do you have faith in, the only thing that matters is that you believe something or someone.

If you have faith in yourself then you will follow your dreams and make them real, if you believe in yourself then you will also have faith in others that way others will also believe in you and if you have faith in God then you will also have faith in his timing, he will make you calm, make you believe that he is with you all the time, he takes control of all your struggles and worries and tells you to stop stressing yourself out and trust him.

With a little courage, hard work and faith by your side you can make the unachievable possible. Faith keeps your heart alive, it clears out the sadness, hopelessness and darkness away from you and bring happiness, hopefulness, calmness and satisfaction.

To sum up everything that has been stated so far, we all have faith in something or someone there are all sorts of faith and you must choose whatever makes your heart at ease.

“Faith demands you to believe in something you cannot see. You choose!”

-Bob proctor

Share this Post to Help Fellow Students

Useful Posts For Students

20 Best Laptops For Students

How I Won Eiffel Scholarship to Study For Free

16 Online Degree Programs From Top Universities

Should I Consolidate My Federal Student Loan?

8 Best Tablets For Students

Post navigation

Previous post.

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Guest Essay

The Invasive-Species Debate Is Not Always Simple

By Margaret Renkl

Ms. Renkl is a contributing Opinion writer who covers flora, fauna, politics and culture in the American South.

Where starlings are concerned, I thought my heart was a stone.

Starlings descend in great flocks on orchards and farms, decimating crops and dining on feed meant for livestock . In the air, they can bring down airplanes . Their excrement fouls city streets and walkways. And that’s just the nuisance they cause to people. European starlings also outcompete native birds for roosts and nest holes. What is there to love about a bird whose presence causes so many problems? A bird who doesn’t even belong here?

And yet, despite my deep environmental convictions, I have somehow fallen in love with starlings.

I love the gorgeous starry plumage that emerges after they molt. I love the way they can mimic nearly anything, including an elaborate array of construction noises that they have learned in this neighborhood of unceasing construction. I especially love the way they gather in great swooping, looping wintertime flocks, turning the sky into an endless blue stage for their endlessly inventive performances.

As the discourse around nonnative plants and animals grows increasingly strident , I’ve been thinking a lot about the starling-softened stone that was once my heart.

In late March, a New York chapter of Wild Ones , a national nonprofit that advocates for native plants and natural landscapes, posted an explanation for why planting spicebush is better than planting forsythia . Like forsythia, spicebush adds a pop of yellow color to the early spring garden. Like forsythia, spicebush can create a natural screen for backyard privacy. But unlike forsythia, which is both nonnative and sterile, spicebush flowers feed pollinators in springtime. Its leaves feed spicebush-swallowtail caterpillars in summer. Its berries feed a host of songbirds in fall.

One of these plants can restore a garden to its original purpose as a biodiverse ecosystem. The other simply offers a brief display of yellow flowers.

These are incontrovertible facts. Native creatures evolved to recognize native plants as food and habitat. At a time when insect populations are plummeting (in part because of the ubiquity of nonnative plants ) and two-thirds of North American birds are at risk of extinction , there is no good reason to plant a flower that offers nothing to the wild world.

But that fact didn’t stop the pro-forsythia contingent from flying into an online rage at the very idea that someone was coming for the flower they learned to love at Granny’s knee. (I won’t link to these posts because I don’t want to add fuel to the conflagration.) In a comment on one post, someone called native-plant advocates “plant racists.”

There was nothing preachy about the Wild Ones post, which after all was aimed at native-plant enthusiasts anyway, but it’s true that environmentalists can sometimes take on a give-no-quarter tone. Sometimes they advocate for a slash-and-burn approach, using literal fire or literal poison to kill off any plant that doesn’t have the right provenance. Sometimes they call for killing introduced birds by any method that works. I can see how unpleasantly similar all this sounds to the dangerous nativist impulses in our culture.

But human beings, whatever their race, belong to the same species. Depending on how you look at it, either all human beings are native to a particular ecosystem or none of us are. Plant and animal species, on the other hand, evolved for a particular landscape — a landscape that in turn evolved to accommodate their presence. Crucial habitat is lost when introduced plants crowd out the native ones that sustain indigenous wildlife.

Despite the scolding tone that native-plant advocates can sometimes take, they are making an irrefutable point. The earth is teetering near a tipping point of no return. In the context of environmental apocalypse, there is no time — and no square inch of garden space — to waste. Every Cassandra in human history has felt this way: desperate to make others see the truth before the towers are on fire.

I am one of those Cassandras. I wrote a whole book about how we can learn to be better neighbors to the wild creatures who share our ecosystems.

But I am also learning how much more complicated this question of who belongs and who does not can sometimes be. Burmese pythons are incontestably devastating the Everglades . But starlings don’t appear to have nearly the negative impact on native cavity-nesting birds that they were long presumed to have. And as the climate changes, we are seeing that it is also changing where specific plants and animals can thrive. Through seed dispersal, introduced creatures can end up being what allows native plants to survive climate change.

Eradicating all the problematic plants that Americans have introduced into their landscapes — not to mention 85 million starlings — is just never going to happen. My husband and I have been rewilding our half-acre lot with increasing urgency for the past 29 years, with only limited success. To return this tiny ecosystem to its pristine origins without using fire or poison would require a level of backbreaking work that neither of us has the back for, and I’m not sure I would risk it anyway. To smother everything in pursuit of a pure yard would mean also smothering the spring beauties and the spring beauty mining bees.

I’m certainly not arguing that what we plant in our gardens doesn’t ultimately matter. It matters very much, and I always want to be on the side of helping rather than harming. Though I have at times been misled by an inaccurate nursery tag, I would never introduce a nonnative plant on purpose. I try to control invasive vegetation, and I will keep on trying, but there is only so much I can realistically do.

Besides, where they are welcomed, wild creatures can find a way to make use of nearly everything. Even plants that feed nobody can serve as a shelter from the cold, or as a nesting site, or as a place to hide from predators. If there’s a plant already in this yard that is doing no harm, I try not to worry about it too much.

Forsythia, for example, is not on any invasive species lists . Since I’ve been honest about my love for starlings, I’ll admit that I love our stand of forsythia, too. My mother started it from a cutting. She planted it here soon after we moved into this house. I had just survived a devastating late miscarriage, and she thought its bright color might cheer me up.

I treasure the native plants that my husband and I have lovingly added to this yard, but I belong to a species that treasures loving memories, too, and I can’t help loving that useless spray of yellow flowers at the end of every fragile gray winter. It reminds me of my beautiful mother, who wanted to save me from my own grief and thought to do it the only way she knew how: by planting flowers.

Margaret Renkl , a contributing Opinion writer, is the author of the books “ The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, ” “ Graceland, at Last ” and “ Late Migrations .”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .