It's said at the end of each of the gospels. It's said 7 times in the book of Romans. And in the bible, it's the "final word" on the matter. But what does "amen" mean?

It's used at the end of a statement or prayer to express assent, agreement, or approval. Because of the example prayer Jesus gives us, many feel a prayer is incomplete without it, sort of like the "the end" in a story. I believe I've heard it defined as "thus it shall be" or "let it be so" or "I confirm", and scripture seems to bear these ideas out. It's possible we say it without thinking about it, and I think we can sometimes use it in feel-good ways.

For instance, when a preacher makes some light hearted statement from the pulpit, like saying "brother Dave hates sin about as much as he hates broccoli" brother Dave may say AMEN! We understand there is some humor in the world and hopefully no one is offended by the exchange. We also might use an "amen" in the most serious of situations, when a speaker points out say the unworthiness of ourselves yet Christ died for us, and we should be grateful, we ought to be able to say amen to that.

I'm going to let you in on a secret. Except for a couple songs where I can't easily avoid it, I never sing it. Never. To me, amen is reserved mostly for prayers. Songs are not prayers. Now this is just my own belief, and you are welcome to differ, but I don't pray by repeating or reciting words from a page by rote. When I pray, it is usually spontaneous (help me!) and while I might consider ahead of time what I want to pray about, and even write those things down, the words I say are straight from the heart. When I sing, it would be nice if that were true but it is not. Some people struggle to sing, because they believe they can't do it well and somehow that matters. (it doesn't) Some folks love to sing more for the sake of having people hear them sing than a true expression of what the song is about. And some people sing more for the fun of singing, and that gets in their way. Regardless, to me a song is not spontaneous and it really isn't a prayer, either. This is my opinion, you are welcome to disagree. But since I believe it is not a prayer, I don't sing the amen at the end of the songs that include it. When I lead such songs, I just stop.

Now note that - I don't do it because I think it is wrong, but I don't mind you doing it. That is because I don't think its going to keep you from going to heaven. I could jump up and down and argue about it with you, until you either see things my way or not. I could make such a big deal that I cause a division in the church over it - I guess the amens vs the naymens. But instead, I let it go. You see, Jesus came to save imperfect people. In the old testament, when people made offerings even of the best they had their heart was what God was interested in. Those who sought God with a good heart, imperfect people as they were, found him and were regarded by him. That is not to say sincerity is all there is to it, but I believe a person who hears and obeys the gospel then is run over by a truck, even if they never studied and understood every fine point of doctrine, is going to be saved. Jesus makes up the difference in our sinful, imperfect lives; his grace reaches across the gap.

By the way, not only do I think it doesn't belong at the end of a song but I am also one of those who think a prayer is incomplete without it. I'm not saying this is fully rational, I just feel because of its repeated use in scripture (and Paul seems to think its important to not say in ignorance. That's a warning!) we should not treat it lightly. As for its use with songs, if you think "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" is the best song in the book, I think I can accommodate you in the correct usage of the term.

Amen, brother!

Randy