12.1.7.2.10 "Amen"

The word "Amen", which stems from Hebrew, translates as: "So be it!" It concludes the Lord's Prayer, and once more reinforces every plea and statement that has been brought to God in this prayer.

SUMMARY

With the Lord's Prayer Jesus gave an example of how one is to pray to God. (12.1.7)

It is the only prayer that the congregation prays together in the divine service in accordance with a fixed wording, as taken from Matthew 6: 9-13. It is prayed in connection with the forgiveness of sins and the celebration of Holy Communion. (12.1.7.1)

The invocation of God is followed by petitions. The prayer concludes with the praise of God. (12.1.7.2)

The believers hallow God's name by giving Him all the glory and by endeavouring to live in accordance with His will. (12.1.7.2.2)

The plea "Your kingdom come" asks the Lord to be more and more perceptibly present in the congregation. Beyond that it refers to the appearing of the future kingdom of God, which will begin with the marriage in heaven. (12.1.7.2.3)

The words "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" bring to expression the plea that God may guide all things in accordance with His will, even on earth. The believers thereby plead that they may succeed in acting in accordance with God's will. (12.1.7.2.4)

"Give us this day our daily bread." These words are a petition for everything a human being needs. In a broad sense, this plea is also a plea for the preservation of the creation. (12.1.7.2.5)

"Forgive us our debts ..." Thereby the believers confess before God that they are sinners, and ask for grace. "... as we forgive our debtors": in order to receive forgiveness it is important for believers to forgive those who have wronged them. (12.1.7.2.6)

The plea not to be led into temptation attests to the believers' desire for God's help in resisting sin and that He may ensure that trials of faith do not become too difficult. (12.1.7.2.7)

The words: "Deliver us from the evil one" express the believers' wish for God to liberate them from distresses that lead to sin–and in the end grant them ultimate liberation from the evil one. (12.1.7.2.8)

Honour is brought to the Most High in the praise of God. (12.1.7.2.9)

At the end of the prayer, every plea and statement is reinforced with the word "Amen", which means "So be it!" (12.1.7.2.10)