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When public prayers are lead, we should be praying along with those that are leading us in prayer. We should not be passive listeners but active participants. In your heart, you should be telling the Lord that you agree with what is being said. Make the public prayer your personal prayer.
There is nothing wrong with offering a hearty "AMEN!" at the close of prayer. The word ‘amen' is transliterated from Hebrew into both Greek and English. It means ‘truly, verily' but when used at the end of a statement it means: ‘so it is,' ‘so be it‘ or ‘may it be fulfilled' (Thayer). Jesus used it in concluding His pattern prayer in Matt. 6:13.
Saying affirms agreement with what is said. In the primitive churches, it was common for the general audience to say ‘Amen' at the close of the prayer:
1 Cor. 14:16 (ESV) Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?
It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues to the Christian assemblies. When he scriptures are read publicly, or statements with in sermons are read that you strongly agree with or when solemn prayers to God are lead others often responded "Amen!", and this made the substance of what was uttered their own and a part of the assembly as well..
Public prayers are enhanced for all when concluded with a hearty "Amen!"
Let the church say, "Amen!"
- Tim Norman
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