Amen?

So last night I lay in my bed unable to sleep. I technically went to bed around 11 pm, but watched television for a bit. After I turned it off, I was still awake for at least 2 1/2 hours longer.

I've developed this habit of praying before bed, and I can't sleep until I have prayed. It started when I was in my teen years because I realized that I was not praying, so I started a prayer journal which I kept beside my bed, which reminded me every night to write in it and pray before bed. Eventually, I didn't need the journal anymore.

Last night, as I was praying, my mind got distracted, which happens regularly and is something I'm trying to work on and keep focused. After being distracted on a different topic for a good amount of time, I sat up in my bed so that I could focus on prayer. It was a different type of prayer, where I was trying to make it more of a conversation with God [I have a lot of things on my mind right now], it was kinda neatl. Anyways, I was still ridiculously wide awake, and it was probably about 1:30/2 am at this point. As I was ending the prayer, I got thinking to myself (as I realized I was no where near sleepy) that I was probably going to end up continuing to converse in different ways as my thoughts continued to roll - so what's the point of saying Amen and ending that special conversation with God? That continued to just run through my head all night as a question.

The Bible tells us to be in constant communication with God - so again I ask what's the point of saying Amen? I guess I feel like I've been brought up with the understanding that "Amen" is basically like saying goodbye on the telephone line - but it's not supposed to be like that because God never leaves or wants to end a conversation.

So, true to form, I went searching this morning for answers. I'm not sure how amazing Wikipedia is, so I continued to search some other sites as well. I found out that one direct translation means "so be it" - I like this one, because that means when you are ending your 'official' prayer time, you're saying "so be it" and leaving all those things you prayed for in God's hands. Another translation is not necessarily word for word, but it's used as an affirmation or confirmation of the speakers own thoughts. Of course - those both are the scriptural uses of the word "Amen". (whoever thought there were so many uses of the word Amen?)

The liturgical use is best explained as an answer to prayer. Originially it was only supposed to be said at the end of three specific prayers (after the Trisagion, after the "Prayer of Intercession", and at the reception of Communion) but eventually was adopted as the common ending to prayer. To be honest, the research I did made me utterly confused and I wasn't exactly sure everything they were talking about...but it was neat to research it for sure.

Anyways, this is by no means a post of why NOT to say Amen - I was just super curious (and still in my confusion am going to keep looking) to understanding the meaning behind it. I will continue to say Amen when praying, when the pastor says something "amen" worthy, etc, and with this little bit of history and explanation I will continue to search for a better understanding - and will look to the Bible as well.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!!