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Articles
Amen
We say “amen” all the time, but usually we don’t even think about it. Most of the time we treat “amen” sort of like a punctuation mark. We say our prayers; then say “amen,” and it just means “O.K. -- the prayer’s over.” But “amen” means a whole lot more than that, and the more we look at this little word, the more we see how important it really is.
The word "amen" is a fascinating word. You would be hard pressed to find anyone on earth unfamiliar with it. But what does "amen" mean? Is it a ritualistic way to validate our prayers? Or is it merely a way of signing off and telling God, "Okay, my prayer is over now"?
When the word is used at the end of a discourse it is an affirmation of what has been said. This is generally how we use it today. In this case, "amen" means "so it is," "so be it" or "may it be fulfilled." It was a custom in the synagogues to voice the "amen" in response to a prayer or the reading of holy Scripture that was passed on to Christian assemblies (1 Cor. 14:13-16). When the "amen" is voiced after a prayer, a reading of Scripture, a lesson from the Word, or a prophecy, the offerors made the substance of what was said their own. By way of verbal affirmation, the congregants joined themselves to what was said. One man could voice a prayer, but when the group offered up their collective "amen," God received it from all.
Did you know that Jesus was referred to himself as amen? Revelation 3:14 tells us, And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the “Amen” the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. Matt 6:10 says, When Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. He ended his prayer with “Nevertheless, not my will but yours, be done” Thus Jesus is the ultimate “Amen” whose life is in perfect agreement with God’s will. Indeed, this is how he refers to himself to the church at Laodicea, The Amen, the faithful and true Witness. Jesus understood that he needed to conform his life to God’s will in all things and did even unto his death. This is what makes him perfect, just, righteous and complete. In him is our salvation! But "amen" is not some magic word that ensures God's acceptance of our communication. It is a reminder to us, who utter it that the message must be brought into conformity with God's will. "Amen" is a direct reference to Jesus, who taught us to pray, "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Mt. 6:10). Jesus modeled his life after submission to his Father's will. We should all do the same “Amen”.
Robby Cable
