Why do we say "amen" at the end of a prayer?

What does it mean?


Answer:

Our word amen comes from a Hebrew word that has a similar pronunciation. Strong's Concordance defines the word as "verily, truly, amen, or so be it." Saying "amen" at the end of a prayer states our affirmation that what was just said is true and that we are in agreement with the prayer.

In addition, the Bible uses the word Amen as one of the names of Jesus Christ. In Revelation 3:14, the message to the church in Laodicea calls Jesus the "Amen." Its use here connects His name with truth and emphasizes that what is said in this message is true.

Jesus gave His disciples a model for prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. In this sample prayer, Jesus set the example of ending it with "amen." Since Christians are instructed to follow the example and steps of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21), we close our prayers with "amen" just as He did.

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Posted March 1, 2005
Posted March 1, 2005

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