Why do we say “Amen” at the end of our prayers? Must we say “Amen” when we are done praying? Often, we do things or say things, but do not really know the purpose behind those actions or the meaning behind the words. We should never idly say anything, but should speak with purpose and pray with meaning. The word Amen has much meaning behind it and multiple purposes in it. We can see it used in multiple passages at the end of prayers. Jesus used it at the end of the example prayer in Matthew 6:13 and one of the names of Jesus is “the Amen” (Revelation 3:14). The word “Amen” asserts, and in essence means, true, faithful, certain, or so be it. In relation to Jesus, He is Faithful and True so He is “the Amen.” It also gives emphasis to what will be said or what has been said. In the New Testament, the word which we translate “Verily” is the word “Amen.” They both mean “so be it.” Jesus often used “Verily, Verily” as He spoke to the people. In this sense, the word Amen gives authority to a declaration. For instance, John 3:3 says, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jesus put special emphasis on this statement by adding the emphasis of “Amen” translated “Verily.”
In relation to the word “Amen” and prayer, when the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He demonstrated using Amen at the end of prayer. This was not to create a formula to have a prayer answered or an ingredient in the perfect prayer recipe. He used the word “Amen” because of its meaning. As a side note, in the ancient New Testament church it was customary for the entire congregation to say “Amen” at the end of prayer and Paul refers to this in 1 Corinthians 14:16. Saying “Amen” at the end of a prayer is in essence saying “So be it” or “Lord, let it be so.”
Remember, a prayer is to be offered “in Jesus’ name” and for God’s glory ultimately. How can we not say “Amen” or “Lord, let it be so” to something we have requested for His glory?
It is also an interesting thought that when we say, “in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen,” we are using His name and then another one of His names. He is “the Amen.” So in prayer, we are asking God the Father for something, in the name Jesus, and then, not only confirming our request with an “Amen,” but in a sense, confirming the request using another name for He who is God the Father’s “Let It Be So” Jesus.
(By Josh Wilcox)
