Amen is word that is frequently used in Christian churches. It’s not a strange word, I say it several times a day. On the way to church last week, I was listening to a musician describe the word amen. Her take was (and I paraphrase because I was driving) that it can be a complete prayer. Is it?
Amen is often used to conclude a prayer. When you sit at the dinner table and a person offers the blessing, everyone says “amen” at the end. Almost like “yes, we agree”. It seems to bring the prayer full circle, we began and we ended on the same note.
Sitting in church you may hear the pastor/preacher say “Can I get an amen?” looking for the people to agree and affirm what he (or she) is saying. It’s a way for all to participate. In a Catholic mass, there is a moment when we sing a great amen. We are agreeing in that moment that it is good, right, and holy.
I looked it up. The internet has many things. The way I have always used the word amen is correct- you are agreeing with the other people. It can be translated as “so be it”, “certainly”, or “truth”. To me, “so be it” is the giving away of my want, need, or desire. I am ending my prayer and it’s God’s turn to take over.
I never contemplated until this week that if I did not know what to say in prayer that saying amen could be my entire prayer. I am looking at amen differently than I did before thanks to hearing someone else’s perspective. Sometimes the right words just fall a bit differently.
There’s your nugget to ponder today if you would like to join my musings. What does the word amen mean to you and how do you use it? Is it the beginning, the end, or the entire prayer? I will continue to ponder.
