Do prayers have to end with Amen?

devin553344 said:

Yes I'm catholic.

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Cool, I use to be.

Same in here in many respects

devin553344 said:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray without ceasing, so why say Amen?

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "pray without ceasing"

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amen means "so be it" or "let it be so", it's a way of affirming what you just said. We have different kinds of prayer, some are about stopping everything you're doing and focus purely on the prayer and the words you say, this is concluded with amen as an affirmation to the aforementioned focus and should not be seen as closing with communication with God.

amen, of course, is completely optional and the word carries no special power, it's not even English and we can see that because most don't even know what it means. Prayers that become mechanical may miss the point and if you feel saying "amen" is an example of this then switch it up and stop saying it or say something else (like literally "let it be so").

It feels awkward not to say amen and it may make others feel uncomfortable as they might not be sure if you're done or if it's just a pause for dramatic effect. Christians have their idiosyncrasies and if saying "amen" after a prayer is one of them there are far worse things. If nothing else it just communicates to others you're done talking so the next thing can start.

I think in Ancient Hebrew it's pronounced "ah-main", I speak a language that pronounces it "ah-meen". trying figuring out how the Hebrew is pronounced and saying it that way just to change the thought process in your heads and make it more intentional.

devin553344 said:

I saw this and was wondering if prayers have to end with Amen?

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A little word of advice. Do not derive your theology, prayer practise, or morals from Family Guy

devin553344 said:

I saw this and was wondering if prayers have to end with Amen?

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Prayer is communication with God. There is no magic formula to prayer. Most times, I personally end my prayers with thanking God for always hearing my prayers and answering my petitions according to His Word and immeasurable wisdom.

"Amen" (or its linguistic equivalent) is used in many different ways and on a lots of occasions in the Scriptures. You can get a short overview at What Does Amen Mean? Bible Definition .

In I think the majority of cases, there are quite a few people around, being addressed, or involved in the conversation. The word is often meant to convey the idea that everyone is on board, everyone agrees, that they all think "it should be done" - "so be it." When seen as a response of listeners to someone's prayer, or statement, and showing agreement with the prayer/statement, the idea that I "need" to end my personal prayer with "Amen" or the longer "in Jesus name, Amen" is usually excessive. It would suggest that you are agreeing with yourself, that you really mean what you say (why would you say things to the Almighty and Omniscient if you didn't mean it? You cannot deceive God).

IMHO, if you're praying to Jesus, your Lord, it is odd to say "in Jesus name" - after all you're talk to/with Him. But if your prayer is addressed to your "Heavenly Father," praying "in Jesus name" is certainly appropriate (assuming you have a fair idea of the implications) and valuable - Jesus is representing you in heaven, and the Holy Spirit is conveying the prayer of your heart, to the Father, and He always seeks to glorify the Son - Jesus.

If you are praying out loud in a group, it is highly appropriate for everyone who agrees with your prayer to say "amen" - not only at the end, but at any time you say something that they feel strongly in favour of. ("if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19) Amen in such a situation is equivalent to letting the Lord/God know explicitly that you agree with the one actually voicing the prayer.

devin553344 said:

I saw this and was wondering if prayers have to end with Amen?

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They do not, and you do not have to end each prayer with "in the name of Jesus."

devin553344 said:

I saw this and was wondering if prayers have to end with Amen?

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Amen in Old and New Testaments is a term to affirm what was prayed. Not every prayer have to end with amen, and not every prayer should. But if you are in agreement, “ amen” is the appropriate term.