Amen

AMEN. Matthew 6. 13.

To conclude the prayer Jesus taught us to pray, He added the word, “AMEN”. To all the various petitions that are made to the Father in heaven, we are taught to affix “our AMEN”. Amen is a word of Hebrew origin expressing consent or strong agreement. It means “verily, certainly, so be it.”

“Our Amen is in the token of our desire and assurance to be heard. Amen refers to every petition going before, and thus, we are taught to knit up the whole in one word. “It is good to conclude our prayers with some warmth and vigour, that we may go from them with a sweet savour upon our spirits” (Mathew Henry). It was the practice of old, as we will see below, to say, Amen, audibly at the end of every prayer. It is a commendable practice, provided it is done with understanding, liveliness, and inward aspirations that correspond to our outward expression of desire and confidence.

It began with the old Testament people of God, Israel, as we see in the Psalms. After making a petition for the nation and praising God, the psalmist who wrote Psalm 106, called on the people, saying, “Let all the people say, ‘Amen! Praise the LORD”. It is probable that this word was used by the worshippers in the synagogue to signify their assent to the prayer that was offered by the priest or the rabbi. It was so continued in the early Church. Remember, the apostle Paul taught and exhorted the Corinthian believers not to indulge in the public usage of ‘the gift of tongues’ without interpretation. He said, it would only lead to confusion and lack of understanding and participation. Therefore, he said that the hearers could not say “Amen!” to their words or prayers! (1 Cor 14.16). It shows that the members were used to saying “Amen” to the prayers that were offered in their midst.

It has become the common practice of most Christians and churches to end their prayers with the word, “Amen”. Some say it in their hearts and minds. Some just whisper. Others shout it heartily, loud and clear for all to hear! It is definitely an encouragement to the one who prayed to hear and know that all were in agreement to all that he asked of God in prayer on their behalf! It would even spur those who pray to make their prayers audible and clear to all so that they too could share inwardly and audibly too and say ‘Amen’ at the end! No doubt our Father God who hears all this, would heartily enjoy our unity in hearts and exuberance in words.

Dear believer, be attentive to every prayer and join heartily in loud ‘Amen’ for God and man to hear. Wouldn’t it be wonderful that even if all may not offer prayers, that everyone could actively participate in the petition to God by joining to say “Amen” in culmination? The next time a prayer is made to God, don’t be afraid to say a loud ‘Amen’ with conviction!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, be moved in mercy and grace towards our prayers and avenge us, Your elect, who cry out to You day and night. Answer speedily as we unite in hearts and minds to say ‘Amen’.