Amen is such a simple word.

If you’re a Christian, you use it regularly. And yet, I doubt many know it’s meaning. I know I didn’t for a long time.

Why say this at the end of prayer?

<smirk>

It’s a little word with a lot of meaning. Let’s head to the Greek.

The Greek word is amēn. Surprised?

Amēn can be used at the beginning of the sentence or the end. And while it takes on various appearances, I think the base meaning is the same.

When used at the beginning of a sentence, amēn is translated verily, verily (duplicated, obviously) in the KJV and a few others. Different translations use truly, truly or most assuredly.

At the end, it’s amen. In every translation and most languages.

But what does it mean?

According to the Strong’s Greek Lexicon on BlueLetterBible.com, it means “firm; metaphorically, faithful.” Or verily and amen. When used at the beginning of a sentence, it means “surely, truly, of a truth.” At the end, and this is the part I love, it means “so be it or may it be fulfilled.”

But here’s what gives me the Holy Ghost goosebumps. And I’m taking this quote from the Blue Letter Bible site.

The word “amen” is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best known word in human speech. The word is directly related — in fact, almost identical — to the Hebrew word for “believe” (amam), or faithful. Thus, it came to mean “sure” or “truly”, an expression of absolute trust and confidence. — HMM

Believe!

Faithful.

An expression of absolute trust and confidence.

Oh, man.

Such a small word to carry a lot of power.

When we say amen, so we REALLY mean it?

Are we saying, “God, I know you got this. You have my situation, my pain, my finances, my heart in your hands, and I trust you, without doubt, to do what’s best.”?

I don’t always mean that. I usually mean, Yeah, it’s over. 

Are you disappointed in me? I am.

Our new worship pastor is teaching me to mean what I sing. He doesn’t know it. And I may never tell him (I doubt he’s reading my blog, LOL). He means it when he sings to Jesus. I do, too, sometimes. Not always though. I’m filling out my time card, checking a box on my list, fulfilling my duty.

I am being vulnerable and honest. I don’t always go to church with the best attitude. Sometimes I’m angry or frustrated. Sometimes I’m mad at God because of my shortcomings. Hey, vulnerable and honest, remember? I want Him to fix me. ON MY TIME, WHEN I WANT. But He doesn’t work that way.

I’m reminded of 1 Cor 13:10, “But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.” (NLT)

I’m not perfect yet, as my family will attest. But I’m working my way in that direction, one baby step at a time. Sometimes I slip backward and have to walk the same road twice (or more), but I’m always aiming in the right direction. At least, I think I am. I pray I’m doing what God wants of me and not heading off on my own path. Not what I want.

I followed a bit of a squirrel trail there, but I usually do when I do my posts, so you should be used to it by now.

Really, I want to mean what I say and say what I mean. Do I mean it when I sing those words of praise to God? Do I mean it when I say amen to one of the points the pastor is preaching or at the end of his prayer? Do I mean it when I say it at the end of my prayer? Truly? 😉

Do you?

Blessings,