Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silasfn and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.”
20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,
22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
No matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20
My brother often ends his text messages with “10-4.” Years ago, airline pilots in movies would signal the end of their two-way radio messages by saying “Over and out.”
When we end our prayers with “Amen,” are we merely signing off? No, the ancient Hebrew word amen has been translated into so many different languages that it has become a universally used word. This little Hebrew word packs a punch—it means “firm,” “true,” or “sure.” It’s like saying, “It is true!” “Right on!” “Make it so!” or “May it be so!”
Christians use “Amen” to affirm something. At the end of our prayers we assert that God absolutely hears and answers our prayers.
Jesus’ use of “Amen” signals another significant use of this word. In his teaching, Jesus often begins with the words “Amen, amen I say to you . . .” or, “Truly, truly I say to you . . .” In this way Jesus affirms that what he is saying is the truth.
So when we say “Amen” at the end of the Lord’s Prayer—or any other prayer—we confess that God will certainly hear and answer our prayers. Rather than being a signoff, “Amen” is a sendoff of trust and assurance that God hears and answers us.
Father in heaven, you are reliable, firm, sure, and true in all you say and do. Help us to live in the confidence of your love and mercy in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
