How do you end a prayer?

by sleepy 7 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  sleepy

  Heres something i've always wondered ,why do Jw's insist that you have to say Amen to conclued a prayer?

  Of all the prayers in the bible I can't recall one ending in Amen (correct me if I'm wrong).
  Anyway Amen means "so be it" so why not say "so be it" at the end of your prayer or words to that effect?
  Most of the prayers in the bible just end with nothing tagged on to the end.

  So were does this come from?
  Also the tradition of saying a prayer before you eat every time you eat.
  I know one person was greatly offened went he whent to the PO's house and the PO ate a pie without saying a prayer.

  Aren't these rules made up by the society?
  Do any of you still do these things as a matter of habit I know I still do?
• 

  idaho

  Though I cannot answer your questions I have heard an interesting
  meaning of AMEN. The literal meaning of the word to the Jews was "God our King is Trustworthy. This is what the three Hebrew letters
  (-A-Adonay(God) -M-Malak(king)- Y - Yachal (to be patient, hope, wait
  trustworthy)) signify that make up the word "Amen"
  In the NT we find Jesus applying this title to Himself whenspeaking
  to the angel of the Laodicean Church (Rev. 3.14) "...the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness..."

  What's interesting is that Jesus himself implies that he is the"Amen"
  - "GOD our King..." Interesting thought

  Finn
• 

  sleepy

  Also do you shut your eyes , why?
  I don't get it
• 

  more2C

  I still don't always say "Amen" when my JW parent says the prayer, I feel uncomfortable because the prayers are usually the exact same words over and over again. I feel that a prayer should come from the heart, like you really mean it. I guess it is up to each individual, whether to close their eyes or not. I definately closed mine when I was at the KH (you know the rules, of course) but would leave them open to watch my siblings at the dinner table. Sometimes, we would get the giggles, and that was always a lot of fun!

  more2C
• 

  ballistic

  One day when I was at a meeting a big bug dropped off the ceiling into my eye which was shut and I rubbed my eye accidently killing the bug. Death by prayer I suppose?

  Anyway, with a name like sleepy, I would think you'd want to shut your eyes?

  I was too far out... and not waving but drowning - Stevie Smith
• 

  blondie

  You don't have to close your eyes...

  You don't have to be in any special position...

  You don't have to be in any special building...

  You don't have to pray over each mouthful of food...

  You don't have to say the word "amen" but any words indicating agreement with what had been said; you don't have to say amen at all since there is nothing in the Bible that says you must...it is up to you, do you desire to or feel impelled to.

  Amen can be said to yourself (inaudibly)...it does not need to be shouted from the rooftops

  Does amen need to be said at the end of your personal prayer...why, it you said it, don't you agree with it?

  Just be respectful (I wouldn't be eating a sandwich while I'm praying)

  If someone has been giving you a lot of "rules" about prayer, then I would said they are a graduate of Pharisee school.

  Remember how they Pharisees were worried about the 12 disciples not washing up properly in a ceremonial way? Wash up to your elbows and let it drip down.....

  Just don't repeat prayers by rote or read them from a prayer book
  Address to God through Jesus
  Can be any length, but consider the audience if praying for others, don't pray so long mold grows on the food at dinner

  Watch out for the Pharisees
• 

  GentlyFeral

  A pagan's "Amen":

  When I have "altar time" at home, I sometimes end with these words:

  "You spirits in attendance on this rite,
  Thanks and farewell;
  And may we meet in peace another night."

  Blondie,
  

  Just be respectful (I wouldn't be eating a sandwich while I'm praying)

  I would -- if it was a really good sandwich. The prayer would go something like: "Gods, this is good! Do any of You want a bite?"

  GentlyFeral
  who has Imaginary Friends in high places

  "There were cockroaches of course,
  but very clean cockroaches."
  -- Julia Vinograd

  (edited for spelling. "nite" indeed!!)
• 

  Princess

  Does God mind background music during a prayer?

  We rarely close our eyes during prayers at dinner anymore. Have to keep our eyes on the two little ones who like to start eating early!

  Princess