“Say Amen at thy giving of thanks” (1 Corinthians 14:16 NIV)
The dictionary defines “amen” as “used at the end of a prayer to express approval.” Amen is found in the KJV Bible seventy-eight times. I remember growing up and hearing people say, “Amen brother” or “Amen sister” all the time. They were saying that they agreed with what had been said, it was the truth, “the gospel”. But sometimes a simple word with a simple meaning can carry a powerful message. I learned that a few years back at a Thanksgiving dinner.
Years ago, I came home for a Thanksgiving dinner with my family. The entire family was there including my father’s brother and his family which included his daughter and her four-year-old daughter. There was always a smaller table and chairs set up for the young children that were too small for the dining room table. The table was set, the food was on the table, the small children’s plates were prepared and the entire family, including the small children, gathered around the dining room table to give thanks to the Lord for our blessings and the Thanksgiving meal. We all joined hands and my father, in his usual long-winded fashion launched into one of his lengthy prayers. After a few minutes, as my father took a breath between words, my young cousin said, in a small voice, “Amen”. NO one said a thing and my father continued his prayer. After another minute or so we heard another “Amen!”, but this time in a little louder voice. I remember looking up and everyone was smiling, but again, no one said anything. My father continued with the prayer. A short time later, still in a small but more assertive voice, we all heard, “Amen! “. Everyone could not help but laugh, even my father. He then said, “Lord, I will end this prayer now since I have been told I am finished!”. Everyone said, “Amen” and then laughed.
The child’s mother in a loving voice, told her, “We are supposed to wait until the end of the prayer to say Amen.” The youngster responded with, “Mommy, Uncle Bill said ‘Thank you Lord’ and I was ready to eat. My father (Uncle Bill) then added, “Sometimes the experience of age is overcome by the wisdom of youth.” The entire family spent the rest of the meal talking about the young child’s way of leading the adults to where she wanted to go.
No matter where, how, or by whom you are led, everyone has something to be thankful for. Sometimes it’s hard to see. Sometimes it is right in front of us. Sometimes we are caught up in our own world focusing on what we want or need. But sometimes the innocence of youth can put into one word what we, as adults, have a hard time expressing.
God hears our prayers even when they are cut short. He knows what’s in our heart whether it be a lengthy prayer or just a simple, “Thank You, Lord, Amen.”
I sit in a prison cell today and find myself thanking God every day for the blessings he has bestowed upon me. Sure, I would rather be at home and with my family, but I have so much to be thankful for.
Sometimes I get into a long prayer, trying to thank Him for all he has done for me. And sometimes I remember back to a four-year-old that knew what we all need to know. Prayers of Thanksgiving come from the heart, not the lips. The simple words, “Thank You, Lord, Amen”, when combined with a grateful heart and loving spirit, says all we need to say.