Opinion : And they said, ‘Amen’

Have you ever wondered what the word ‘Amen’ means? Ever since I was a child, I was taught to close my prayers with that word because it signified that I was done praying, and that someone else could then begin. Growing up in several different churches, I found that there were just as many people who didn’t say Amen as those that did. And later, I found it odd that several of the pastors I knew would close their sermons and services by saying, “and all God’s people said… Amen.” Weird, I know, but true.

Now I must admit, I’m a little old-fashioned in my beliefs and practices, even when it comes to saying Amen in prayers. I don’t think saying the word is a new idea or even a novel idea – it’s really an old, good idea that American Christianity has forgotten. Even more, I think it’s something God wants Christians to do. So, at the church where I worship, I encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to say Amen together because it demonstrates several biblical and spiritual realities. I’ve given you ten, but there’s probably a whole bunch more.

Saying Amen together as a church shows:

1...we are praying together with whoever is leading in prayer, not just listening or waiting for the prayer to finish. Even though one person prays at a time, we do best to pray along with them instead of just hearing the words they say.

2...our corporate unity. Though we have many members, those individual members make up only one local body of believers (in other words, a church). Hearing an entire church body say Amen together unison is an exhilarating experience!

3...individual participation. The truth is, corporate prayer is not a spectator sport, but rather a team effort. If the way we view prayer is that it’s just another time-filler in our church services, we are wasting our time. Instead, everyone should commit themselves to praying along with whoever is leading in prayer.

4...we are encouraging one another. When I hear my brothers and sisters in Christ say Amen together with me when we pray, it has an uplifting and edifying effect on us because we know we are praying together as one body and not just spacing-out. I’ve often wondered if people’s silence during and after prayer meant they were daydreaming, or worse, sleeping! (A brief confession: I’ve been guilty of this....more than once).

5...our agreement. By definition, the word Amen means, “so be it,” or, “may it be so.” In the Gospel of John, Jesus begins many of his statements by saying, “verily, verily…” Quite literally, Jesus is saying, “Amen, Amen”, affirming His agreement and approving the true nature of the message He is giving.

6...we are paying attention to the Scriptures. The Bible gives dozens and dozens of examples where God’s people proclaimed their agreement to God’s Word by saying Amen together. Here are a few examples: when the Jews received the Law from Moses, the people replied Amen together in unison. Several hundred years later after the first Jewish exile, Nehemiah gave a long sermon to the Jewish

assembly, and afterwards they shouted Amen together. And a short time later, Ezra the scribe opened the book of the Law and praised the Lord, and here’s what the people did: “All the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground” (Nehemiah 8:2). Saying Amen and lifting our hands in worship should not be an awkward thing (as if only those who are Pentecostal or Charismatic should), but something that shows our excitement for King Jesus. Just think what your voice and hands do when your favorite football team scores a winning touch-down! Maybe lifeless, joyless, sterile church services show that we’re more excited about football than Jesus Christ.

7...we are following and obeying a pattern Jesus gave us. Shortly before Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave His disciples a commission – a life mission they (and every Christian) should daily accomplish for Him. Here’s what He said, and notice how He closes his command: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus’ final words to His disciples ended with, ‘Amen’.

8...we are practicing for an eternity of worship and praise to the Lord! The book of Revelation (the last book in the Bible) gives a stunning glimpse of heaven and the throne-room of God. The four living beings that surround Jesus’ throne shout Amen together! (5:14). The twenty-four elders that surround the throne of God and that lead all the redeemed from every nation in worship cry out in unison, “Amen! Praise the Lord!” (10:4). Eternal life is going to be truly awesome because I get to praise my Savior face to face!

9...we proclaim the Lord’s name! Just as our parents have given us many nicknames that describe who we are, so Jesus has many names that describe who He is, one of them being, Amen. Jesus as ‘Amen’ is the Faithful and True One, the “God of Truth” (Revelation 3:14; Isaiah 65:16).

10...we thoughtfully consider and preserve church history. The reason saying Amen together might seem like a new idea or feel strange altogether is because the practice has largely fallen into disuse. Church history is filled with examples, exhortations, and writings that preserve the ancient practice of God’s people in proclaiming their agreement to God and His Word by saying Amen together. We do well to follow in their footsteps, don’t you think?

At the end of the Small Catechism, Martin Luther Seeks to correct the misunderstanding that the word Amen merely signifies the end of a prayer. He says this: “what is meant by the word Amen? That I should be assured that such petitions are acceptable to our heavenly Father and heard by Him; for

He Himself has commanded us to pray in this manner, and has promised that He will hear us. Amen, Amen, that is, yea, yea, it shall be so.”

My conclusion is this: Christians do well by saying Amen together. Share this truth in your church, give them an example to follow, and pray they will follow in obedience and love for Christ.

*By Zach Zajicek pastor of First Baptist Church

all verses quoted from the NLT of the Scriptures