Catechism Question 97
Why do we end our prayer with “Amen”?
We end our prayer with “Amen” to show that we earnestly desire these things, and we have confidence that our Father in heaven hears us and delights to answer our prayers, because every promise of God is given to us in Christ.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This is the tenth and final in a series of questions on the Lord’s Prayer. In this question, we ask about the response “Amen” that we speak at the end of the Lord’s Prayer. This question follows the same format as the previous questions, asking the words of the prayer, and what the words teach us regarding prayer. Additionally, as we saw in the previous questions, when we pray this specific thing, we are also committing ourselves to work for it. It would not be possible to pray with the attitudes we saw in question 86 and then not labor to see these things done in our own life.
The answer to this question tells us two key things. First, amen is often used today to express earnest agreement. When we conclude our prayer this way, it means these have not been empty words. We truly desire the things for which we have prayed. Second, it shows our confidence that God has heard and will answer our prayer. The word “amen” means “so shall it be.” When we close a prayer with “Amen!” we are expressing confidence that our request will be granted. Thus, this close forms a “bookend” with “Our Father” at the beginning of the prayer. Because God is our Father in Christ, we are confident that He hears and answers our prayer.
It is common practice to end our prayers with “Amen” but people often do not even understand what it means. It is important that we learn the meaning and why we do this, lest we fall into vain babbling of words. This little word has a rich history, being used to close out each of the “books” within the book of Psalms (see Psalm 41:13; 72:19; 89:52; 106:48). It was often used by God’s people in Scripture to show agreement and earnest desire, and it is the final word in all Scripture. And so it is still used today – and hopefully with a good understanding of what is meant.
Additional Questions:
What is the final word of the Lord’s Prayer, and what does it teach us?
Scripture References:
Matthew 6:9–13
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Luke 11:1–4
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
1 Kings 1:36
Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, “Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, so declare it.”
1 Chronicles 16:36
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”
Nehemiah 8:6
Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Psalms 41:13
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.
Jeremiah 11:5
Then I will fulfill the oath I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey’—the land you possess today.” I answered, “Amen, Lord.”
Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
2 Corinthians 1:20
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.
Ephesians 3:20–21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Revelation 22:21
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
Questions for Further Discussion:
What do we mean when we say “Amen”?
Why is it important that we understand what we are praying?
Why is it fitting to end a prayer with “Amen!”?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 129 of the Heidelberg Catechism and question 107 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg or Westminster Shorter Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “UnCommon Confidence In Prayer” (March 24, 2013), and “Provision by Prayer” (October 3, 2004).
Suggested Worship Song:
Doxology (Ken Thomas; Amen addition by David Crowder)
(This is the traditional Doxology, which speaks praise to God, but it has a refrain of “Amen” added to it. This Doxology captures the heart of the doxology and our response in the Lord’s Prayer.)
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen