Several verses in the Bible command Christians to pray. Matthew 6:5-8 instructs Christians to pray unhypocritically and without any ulterior motives. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 commands us to pray constantly and with thanksgiving in all situations. Jesus modeled for us the appropriate way to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. And Ephesians 6:17-18 equates prayer with a weapon of spiritual warfare. It is clear that we act in obedience to the Word of God when we pray. But why is it that we end all of our prayers with the word “amen?”
In order to answer this question, we need to look at the meaning of the word in its original languages. We must also analyze how the word itself is used throughout the Bible. Finally, we will look at practical applications for the use of “amen” in prayer. We say “amen,” but do we really know what it is that we are saying?
The Original Meaning of “Amen”
The word “amen” in English is a transliteration of the same word in the original languages of Hebrew and Greek. This essentially means that there was not an English equivalent of the word, so the same pronunciation of the original word was adopted into the English language as a new word. Some of the alternate definitions used to translate the same original Hebrew and Greek “amen” are “verily,” “truly,” and “let it be so.”
“Amen” Throughout the Bible
The Hebrew “amen” and the Greek “amen” occur a combined 182 times throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the English Standard Version of the Bible, the word “amen” occurs 56 times in 50 verses throughout the Old and New Testaments. This means that the translators of the ESV believed one of the alternate translations to be sufficient for 126 of the occurrences. But they saw a need to maintain “amen” in the other 56 verses.
Perhaps surprisingly, 14 out of the 22 verses using the word “amen” in the Old Testament are used as an affirmation of a curse. One example of this is in Deuteronomy 27:26: “‘Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” Israel was affirming the righteous law that God had sent, and in effect, they declared, “Let it be as you have said.”
In the New Testament, there is a radical shift in the usage of the word. Instead of being used a majority of the time for cursing, it becomes a word that overwhelmingly affirms the glory of God. It is used to call blessing and glory and honor on God and to call His presence with His people. It is a word that calls on the character and faithfulness of God Himself.
Second Corinthians provides a good explanation as to why this shift happened: “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in Him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory” (1:19-20).
It is also significant that the last word of the Bible is “Amen.” Revelation 22:20-21 says, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” By ending his testimony and ultimately the Word of God with the word “amen,” John is testifying about the veracity of God’s Word. He is coming into agreement with what God has said. And he is essentially calling upon God to fulfill His promises as He has revealed them to be.
Practical Application
Sometimes, we treat prayer as if we were petitioning a magic genie to grant all of our requests and then end the prayer with an “amen” that is the equivalent of a “the end” or a “get to work now, please.” But God is not a genie, and “amen” is not a call for God to grant our wishes.
Scripture says that whatever we ask in faith will be granted to us (Mark 11:24, Matthew 21:22). But the assumption behind these verses is that Christians will be using prayer to align their hearts with the heart of God and therefore desiring what He Himself desires. Prayer is an act of worship and an avenue through which we grow in the fruit of the Spirit. It is also a vehicle through which God enacts His sovereign plan.
When we pray, we should have all of this in mind. We must pray with a heart of affirmation of the righteousness of God’s ways and an acceptance of His perfect justice. We should pray with a legitimate heart desire to bring our hearts and desires in line with His plan. We should use our prayers to serve as an effective pronouncement of God’s glory and honor. And we should desire more than anything else to be in the presence of God regardless of whether or not He answers our prayers the way that we would prefer.
Then, in closing our prayers, we should use “amen” at the end if, and only if, we have built our prayers with this kind of foundation. The full closing that is common among many Christians is “All of this I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.” It is true that Jesus alone is the One who gives us direct access to the throne of God. His sacrifice is what makes it possible for us to come before our holy Father. Our prayers are literally prayed in the name of Jesus because the Person and work of Jesus is what allows us the privilege of praying.
But we must recognize that the “amen” that follows the “in Jesus’ name” is an affirmation of Jesus as Lord. Jesus isn’t only our Savior. He is our Lord, our Commander, our Boss, and our Master. When we say “amen,” we are calling upon Jesus’ glory and honor. And we are affirming His will in our lives no matter what may come.