An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism · Martin Luther
THE AMEN.
AMEN means Verily. By adding it to our prayer we express our assurance, THAT SUCH PETITIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND ARE HEARD BY HIM. The petitions for temporal and spiritual blessings which we here bring before Him are the very ones which He desires us to present. [I John 5:14] FOR HE HIMSELF HAS TAUGHT US TO PRAY IN THIS MANNER, and to ask for these things, AND HAS PROMISED THAT HE WILL HEAR US. [II Cor. 1:20] The promise is, that whatsoever we ask in Christ's name shall be given to us. [John 16:23] Hence we add at the end of our prayer: Amen, that is, it shall be so; God will answer our prayer. [Matt. 7:9-11] QUESTIONS.--1. Why do we add the conclusion to the Lord's Prayer? 2. What two parts does the conclusion contain? 3. What do we mean by saying, "Thine is the kingdom"? the power? the glory? forever? 4. What does Amen mean? 5. Why do we add it to our prayer? 6. Why are we sure that these petitions are acceptable to our heavenly Father? 7. What promise have we with respect to our prayers? SCRIPTURE VERSE.--Ps. 145:13. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. READING.--Asking and Receiving, Luke 11:5-13. The spiritual blessings spoken of in the Creed and asked for in the Lord's Prayer are brought to us through the Means of Grace. WHAT THEY ARE. The Means of Grace are: 1. The Word of God, 2. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism, 3. The Sacrament of the Altar. They are called the means of grace, because they are the means or vehicles through which God's grace comes to us. It is through the Word of God and the Sacraments that the Holy Spirit does His work in us.
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