7 I Believe Poems

What is it that you believe? Our beliefs influence the way we see life, respond to challenges, treat other people, and understand our purpose. These I Believe poems share the thoughts and convictions of different writers while encouraging us to pause and consider what we believe for ourselves.

While reading the 1942 edition of The Sunday Visitor, I came across this thought about the importance of examining our beliefs:

"What Do You Believe? - Some people today are teaching that it does not matter what one believes. They claim that one ought to be honest and sincere in whatever he does believe, but the tenets of faith are not important. It is time for people to stop and ask: "Does it matter what I believe?" If it does not matter, truth has no advantage over error; the value of truth is no greater than the value of error. Such a disposition or attitude stifles investigation and discourages all search for truth."

The poems that follow express beliefs about God, faith, friendship, purpose, responsibility, and the way we live each day. May they encourage you to reflect on your own convictions and the values that guide your life.

Updated September 19, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.

I Believe

Poet: Edgar A. Guest

I believe in the world and its bigness and splendor:
That most of the hearts beating round us are tender;
That days are but footsteps and years are but miles
That lead us to beauty and singing and smiles:
That roses that blossom and toilers that plod
Are filled with the glorious spirit of God.

I believe in the purpose of everything living:
That taking is but the forerunner of giving;
That strangers are friends that we some day may meet;
And not all the bitter can equal the sweet;
That creeds are but colors, and no man has said
That God loves the yellow rose more than the red.

I believe in the path that to-day I am treading,
That I shall come safe through the dangers I'm dreading;
That even the scoffer shall turn from his ways
And some day be won back to trust and to praise;
That the leaf on the tree and the thing we call Man
Are sharing alike in His infinite plan.

I believe that all things that are living and breathing
Some richness of beauty to earth are bequeathing;
That all that goes out of this world leaves behind
Some duty accomplished for mortals to find;
That the humblest of creatures our praise is deserving,
For it, with the wisest, the Master is serving.

A Child's Creed

Poet: Octavius Brooks Frothingham

I believe that I am a child of God,
my heavenly Father, who created me,
who preserves me,
who loves me as his child.

I believe that Jesus was
my heavenly Father's best-beloved Son;
and that I shall be well beloved,
as he was, if I become like him.

I believe that God, and all good angels
and all good men and women, and all good children,
are helping me all the time to lead a holy life.

l believe that my faults may be corrected;
and my sins, if I repent of them sincerely,
and try to be good, will be forgiven and forgotten.

I believe that cannot be happy or good alone,
but only as others are happy and good.
l believe that we make a heaven in our homes
by our kindness and love,

l believe that I shall not die
when my body dies.
I believe that there will be a heaven hereafter
for all good children.

l believe that all children will at last become good,
and will go to heaven,
to be happy in God's love forever.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth and of all things
visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all ages,
God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
through Whom all things were made:

Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven,
was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man:
Who for us, too, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered, and was buried:
On the third day He rose according to the Scriptures, ascended into heaven,
and is seated on the right hand of the Father: He shall come again with glory to judge
the living and the dead, and His kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son:
Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified:
Who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy, Christian, and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead and life of the age to come.
Amen.

I Believe That God ...

By Author Unknown

I believe that Christmas is more than a time for parties and ornaments;
it is a time for remembering Christ and the incarnation of God’s love in human flesh.

I believe there are gifts more important than the ones under the Christmas tree,
the things we teach our children,
the way we share ourselves with friends,
and the industry with which we set about reshaping the world in our time.

I believe that the finest carols are often sung by the poorest voices;
from hearts made warm by the wonder of the season.

I believe in the angel’s message that we should not be afraid—
that the Child of Bethlehem is able to overcome all anxieties and insecurities.

I believe in prayer and quietness as a way of appropriating Christmas—
that if I wait in silence I will experience the presence of the one born in the manger,
for he lives today as surely as he lived then.

I believe in going away from Christmas as the wise men went: "another way."
I want to be different when these days are past—
more centered, more thoughtful, more caring.

AND I believe God will help me.

Credo

Poet: Elias Lieberman

I believe
That there are greater things in life
Than life itself,
I believe
In climbing upward
Even when the spent and broken thing
I call my body
Cries “Halt!"
I believe
To the last breath
In the truths
Which God permits me to see,
I believe
In fighting for them;
In drawing.
If need be.
Not the bloody sword of man
Brutal with conquest
And drunk with power.
But the white sword of God,
Flaming with His truth
And healing while it slays.

I believe
In my country and her destiny.
In the great dream of her founders.
In her place among the nations.
In her ideals;
I believe
That her democracy must be protected,
Her privileges cherished.
Her freedom defended.
I believe
That, humbly before the Almighty,
But proudly before all mankind.
We must safeguard her standard.
The vision of her Washington,
The martyrdom of her Lincoln,
With the patriotic ardor
Of the minute men
And the boys in blue
Of her glorious past.
I believe
In loyalty to my country
Utter, irrevocable, inviolate.

Thou, in whose sight
A thousand years are but as yesterday
And as a watch in the night.
Help me
In my frailty
To make real
What I believe.

Sense Of Urgency

By Charles Jones

I believe the fires of greatness in our heart can be kept aglow only after we develop
a sense of urgency and importance for what we are doing.…
A sense of urgency is that feeling that lets you know yesterday is gone forever,
tomorrow never comes.
Today is in your hands.
It lets you know that shirking today’s task will add to wasted yesterdays and postponing today’s work
will add to tomorrow’s burden.
The sense of urgency causes you to accomplish what today sets before you.
Thank God for the sense of urgency that can change a dull, shabby existence into a sparkling life.
Right now, ask God to give you a sense of urgency.
Believe that He did, and then act accordingly.

I Believe That

Poet: Unknown

I believe—
that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe—
that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe—
that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe—
that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe—
that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe—
that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe—
that you can keep going long after you can't.

I believe—
that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe—
that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe—
that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I believe—
that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe—
that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe—
that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I believe—
that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe—
that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe—
that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I believe—
that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe—
that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe—
that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe—
that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe—
that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe—
that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I believe—
that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe—
that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe—
that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I believe—
that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe—
that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

Key Reflections In These Poems

Our Beliefs Influence How We Live
Belief is more than something we say. What we truly believe can influence our choices, our attitudes, and the way we respond to the people and circumstances around us.
Faith Gives Us Something To Hold Onto
Several of these poems express trust in God even when life is uncertain. Faith can give us hope, direction, and the courage to keep moving forward when we cannot see what lies ahead.
Beliefs Should Be Reflected In Our Actions
Words have greater meaning when the way we live supports what we say we believe. Kindness, forgiveness, responsibility, and service can turn our convictions into something others can see.
It Is Worth Thinking About What We Believe
These poems encourage us to examine the ideas and values that guide our lives. Taking time to reflect can help us better understand what matters to us and how those beliefs shape the person we are becoming.

Popular Pages

Continue reflecting on faith and belief with these pages about trusting God, living what you believe, and finding encouragement through faith.

Find encouragement in God Will Provide, with words that remind us to trust God's care and provision through life's changing circumstances.

Read Lord! I Believe for a thoughtful expression of faith and the desire to hold firmly to belief in God.

Let these Christian Quotes offer words of faith, encouragement, and wisdom for everyday life.

Conclusion

What we believe matters because our beliefs can influence the way we think, the choices we make, and the way we treat others. These poems offer different perspectives, but each gives us an opportunity to consider the convictions and values that guide our own lives.

May these I Believe poems encourage you to think about your faith, your values, and the truths you hold close to your heart. Most of all, may what you believe be reflected not only in your words, but also in the kindness, courage, faith, and love you show each day.

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