August 20

All the promises of God in Him are yea and in Him Amen unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20.

The word "Amen" gathers up, as it were, the whole prayer and says, So shall it be. For what does this word mean? Luther answers: "That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray and has promised to hear us. Amen, Amen, that is, yea, yea, it shall be so." This word teaches us how to pray the Lord's Prayer with implicit confidence. This word carries us into the future hopefully. With this word we shut the door against unbelief and doubt. Amen is a word of undoubting faith, showing that we are not uncertain as to whether we shall be heard or not, but are fully assured of being heard.

This is the boldness which we have towards Him: I know my prayer is heard; for God Himself commanded me to pray, and He has promised to hear my prayers. And has not my Savior taught me this prayer? Does not my Mediator make intercession for me? Do not all true children of God include me also when they pray: "Our Father who art in heaven"? Yea, "the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity." Surely, then, my petition must be acceptable to the Father in heaven and heard. "This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us; and if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." We must, therefore, close the door of our heart firmly against all doubt, and with a firm voice we should say, "Amen." "Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering."

There is something great about a Christian whose faith is firmly rooted. Such a Christian is like a bride who has full confidence in the love and faithfulness of her affianced. She is happy in knowing that he whom she loves will not deny her any request she may make. That is the very condition of a Christian whose faith is deeply rooted and firmly grounded, who has full confidence in the love and faithfulness of his heavenly Father.

Prayer.

O Thou faithful, eternal, and almighty God, grant us grace, we beseech Thee, at all times to come reverently before Thee and with all confidence to present our petitions to Thee; for with Thee nothing is impossible, and Thou hast promised to hear us. And graciously give unto us those things which we have faithfully asked according to Thy will, so that our necessity will be relieved and Thy name be glorified. We trust in Thee, O heavenly Father, though Thou smite us. Thou art our Light and our Salvation; whom should we fear? Thou hast said it, and Thy promise will not fail. Amen.

Amen! that is, So let it be. Confirm our faith continually, That we may doubt not, but believe That what we ask we shall receive. Thus in Thy name and at Thy word We say: Amen; oh, hear us, Lord!