In Corporate Prayer Speak the AMEN Firmly
Martin Luther encouraged the church to be bold in saying their “Amens” during times of corporate prayer He said,
"You must always speak the Amen firmly. Never doubt that God in His mercy will surely hear you and say “yes” to your prayers. Never think that you are kneeling or standing alone, rather think that the whole of Christendom, all devout Christians, are standing there beside you and you are standing among them in a common, united petition which God cannot disdain. Do not leave your prayer without having said or thought, 'Very well. God has heard my prayer; this I know as a certainty and a truth.'”
~ Martin Luther, “A Practical Way to Pray” (1535), in Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings, 2d ed., ed. Timothy Lull (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2012), 35.
As you are probably aware, during corporate prayer, we have been encouraging the congregation to respond with a resounding and audible “Amen,” after each prayer offered. The term “Amen” is one of the most familiar terms in the Bible. Jesus used it 63 times. It means, “May it be done,” or, “Yes, Lord.” Saying Amen after each prayer is a way for the congregation to pray in unity. In prayer, one speaks for all, and all affirm the one firmly, with “Amen.”
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray corporately (Matt. 6), He ended the prayer with “Amen.” I believe He did this as an example for His disciples to follow. When the Old Testament Saints prayed together they often said, “Amen,” in unison… “and all God’s people said, Amen.” The apostle Paul taught the Christian church that the messages given in the church should be clear, so that everyone can say “Amen.”
The Testimony of Scripture
Here are some places where this practice occurs in scripture ...
Moses commanded the people on Mt. Gerezim and Mt. Ebal to speak to one another and conclude each statement with “Amen.”
“And the Levites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Israel: ‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ “And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’"
(Deuteronomy 27: 14-15)
After many years of the absence of the Ark as a result of its capture, it was finally returned. After David’s prayer all the people said ...
“Amen, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And all the people said, 'Amen!' and praised the Lord.”
(1 Chronicles 16:36)
After Nehemiah instructed the people to restore justice by ceasing to take advantage of one another through usury.
"And all the assembly said, 'Amen!' and praised the Lord. Then the people did according to this promise."
(Nehemiah 5:13)
Jesus sets the example for His disciples by concluding His model prayer with ...
“And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
(Matthew 6:13)
The Gospel of John concludes with the word “Amen.” He reports ...
“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written,” “Amen.”
(John 21:25)
Then he closes the last book of the canon of scripture, Revelation, with ...
“He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen..”
(Revelation 22:21)
Conclusion
As the people of God gather, one of the most unifying and encouraging things they can do is to be as one body in Christ, united together in love for the prosperity of the Word of the God in the world, by raising their voices in prayer in unison, and declare, “AMEN.”