Abraham is often called the father of faith, and for good reason. His story begins in the Book of Genesis, where God calls him to leave his homeland and journey to a place that He would show him. At that time, his name was Abram. He had no clear direction, no children, and no assurance of what lay ahead—only God’s promise that he would become the father of many nations. Abraham’s decision to trust that promise became the foundation of faith for all who believe in God.
Many people ask me about Abraham because his story feels both ancient and deeply personal. It’s about someone who heard God’s voice, faced uncertainty, and still chose to believe. In Genesis 15, God tells Abraham, “Look up at the sky and count the stars… so shall your descendants be.” Abraham believed, and Scripture says that his faith was “credited to him as righteousness.” This simple yet profound trust is what makes Abraham a model for us all.
Later, God tested Abraham’s faith in ways that seem almost impossible. When He asked Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, Abraham obeyed, though his heart must have been breaking. Yet, at the last moment, God provided a ram, showing that He did not desire the death of Isaac but the obedience of the father. In that moment, we see the depth of Abraham’s faith—and we also glimpse God’s mercy, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.
The Church teaches that Abraham’s faith opened the door of salvation for all nations. St. Paul calls him “the father of all who believe” (Romans 4:11). His life shows that true faith means trusting God’s promises even when we cannot see the outcome. Abraham’s journey—from Ur to Canaan, from doubt to trust—mirrors our own spiritual journey. Each of us is invited to walk by faith, to believe that God is faithful even in our uncertainty.
When we remember Abraham, we remember that faith is not about having all the answers—it’s about trusting the One who leads us. Like him, we are called to leave behind what is familiar and to walk toward God’s promise, step by step.
May Abraham’s story remind us that God’s promises are never empty, and His timing is always perfect.
When faith feels hard, let us pray for the courage to say, as Abraham did, “Here I am, Lord.”
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
