Amen!

What does it mean to end the prayer with, “Amen?”

Amen is a Hebrew word that literally means “So be it!”, “I agree”, “I affirm it”, “May it be so”.

Dr. Bill Carl tells us, “In Deuteronomy 27 Moses says that the Levites are to inform all the people they shall be cursed for making a graven image, dishonoring mother or father, moving their neighbors’ stones, leading the blind astray, withholding justice from the stranger, the orphan, and the widow. After each of the admonitions, Moses declares, ‘And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.'”

Saying “Amen” is like saying “I do” at the end of marriage vows. When a couple declares “I do” at the altar, they are asserting that not only at that current moment but for the rest of their lives they will honor one another. As anyone who has ever been married knows saying, “I do,” is easy. Living out our marriage vows takes everything we’ve got!!!

When we end the prayer Jesus taught his disciples with “Amen,” it means we give ourselves not only at that moment, but for the rest of our lives to everything that Jesus taught in the prayer.

• Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name – Amen!
• Thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven – Amen!
• Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors – Amen!
• Give us this day our daily bread – Amen!
• Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil – Amen!
• For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever – Amen!

When we declare “Amen,” it means we commit ourselves to living out the reality Jesus describes in this prayer to our last dying breath.

What a powerful prayer!!!