Closing the Conversation: A Guide on How to End Your Prayers

Talking with God is a big deal. I mean, who are we to converse with the Ruler of the entire universe. Yet, that is exactly what God desires. So, the attitude with which we pray matters. We ought to recognize God’s rulership throughout our prayer, especially in how we end our conversation with Him.

The most common ending of a prayer is “Amen”. This and other phrases, such as “In Jesus’ name”, reflect a commitment to God’s sovereignty, authority, and faithfulness. Thus, prayers typically end by evoking God’s character in some way, whether explicitly or implicitly.

So, lets dive into these common endings to prayers and look at other examples, both from today and the Bible. Along the way we’ll discover how ending our prayers well really matters.

But before you end a prayer, you have to start one. So if you are curious as to how to begin in prayer, then take a look at this article. In it you’ll discover the right attitude to have when approaching God in prayer as well as examples of ways to begin to inspire your own prayers.

With that said, let’s learn a bit more about the word “Amen.”

The Power of “Amen”

Webster defines “Amen” as an interjection “used to express solemn ratification (as of an expression of faith) or hearty approval (as of an assertion).”

That’s how we often use the word today. You’ll be at church and the pastor will be preaching and you’ll occasionally hear shouts of “Amen” from the crowd. Why? Because they are agreeing with what the preacher said. But how is it used in the Bible?

What “Amen” Really Means

The term “Amen” is a transliteration of a “Hebrew word signifying something as certain, sure and valid, truthful and faithful. It is sometimes translated “so be it.”¹

Amen is used 30 times in the Old Testament and typically serves as an affirmation of an oath, blessing, curse, declaration, prophecy, or doxology.² Thus, it indicates an acceptance that what was spoken is true.

It is used 129 times in the New Testament, 99 by Jesus Himself. So, Jesus is the person who uses the term most in the entire Bible. Jesus would start His statements with, “Amen, Amen…” which is frequently translated as “truly, truly…” in our Bibles.

Jesus does this to emphasize and acknowledge the truth and authority of His teachings. Again, we see a strong connection with accepting the authority of the truth.

The rest of the New Testament uses it similarly to the way it’s used in the Old Testament as well as how it’s used today. But what does this mean for how we use it in our prayers?

What Amen Means for Our Prayers

If we take this understanding of “Amen”, that it is an affirmation and acceptance of the truthfulness of a statement, then it has major implications for our prayer life.

• Deepened Trust in God’s Sovereignty: “Amen” signifies a deepened trust in God’s sovereignty. It implies that we acknowledge and accept His authority over our lives and affirm that His plans for us are trustworthy and true.
• Alignment with God’s Will: This is a natural result of the first implication. It reflects a surrender to God’s purpose and acceptance of His wisdom, even if it’s not what we want.
• Affirmation of Faith: “Amen” becomes an affirmation of our faith in God. It reflects a belief in His character and promises. We express certainty in them when we end our prayers with “Amen”.
• Gratitude and Acknowledgement: “Amen” naturally acknowledges what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives. It serves as an affirmation of His eternal faithfulness and provision.
• Integrity in Prayer: Using “Amen” in our prayers, emphasizes the importance of sincerity and truthfulness in what we say to God. It demands authentic communication with God.
• Hope and Assurance: “Amen” serves as a declaration of hope and assurance in the faithfulness of God. It signifies an expectation that God is actively working in our lives and will hear and answer our prayers.

So, by ending our prayer with “Amen” we are saying quite a bit. For instance,

We are saying that everything we’ve prayed is true, our needs, our feelings, and who God is in relation to them.

We’re acknowledging God’s faithfulness to respond to our prayers in His way and His timing.

We’re accepting the reality of the truth, however it may come. Whether we like it or not, or whether it’s happened already or not. We’re saying “so be it.”

“Amen” acknowledges God’s sovereignty, affirms His faithfulness, and surrenders to His will. It’s not just a routine conclusion or simple good-bye; it’s a powerful expression of faith, trust, and active encounter with God.

Ending Prayer in Jesus’ Name

Ending prayers with the phrase “in Jesus’ name” is unique to Christianity and holds a major significance. Jesus taught and frequently emphasized the authority and power inherent in His name. It acknowledges who Jesus is and what He’s done both in our lives and the world.

Primarily, it affirms Jesus’ role as mediator between us and God the Father. It is only through Jesus’ death and resurrection on the cross that we are able to have a personal and unique relationship with God. Moreover, Jesus constantly intercedes on our behalf.

Jesus encourages us to ask for things in His name and authority. John 14:13-14 reads,

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

These verses and the surrounding context are a promising encouragement to His followers. “In Jesus’ name” is not a magical formula or a spell to get what we want. Rather, it implies that we ask something that is in line with the will and nature of Christ Himself.

Christ promises to meet our needs and answer our prayers so long as they align with His will and brings glory to God the Father. So, praying in Jesus’ name ought to remind us to experience the Bible and make sure that what we are asking for is in line with Scripture and God’s character.

Other Prayer Endings You Can Use

Though we’ve discussed the importance of praying in Jesus’ name and the significance of the term “Amen” there is no one right way to end a prayer. Our prayer endings can vary and change depending on what type of prayer we pray or our own personalities.

If you want to know more about the different types of prayers we can pray, then check out this article. It discusses 6 different types of Biblical prayer and the key elements of each one.

Here are some examples of different endings that commonly used to end prayers:

• …in the precious name of Jesus, I pray.
• …by the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
• …Thy will be done, Amen.
• …For the glory of God, I pray in Jesus’ name.
• …In gratitude and humility, I pray.
• …May Your peace dwell in our hearts, Amen.
• …I commit this into Your hands, Lord, Amen.
• …As we pray, Lord, let Your kingdom come, Amen.
• …In faith and trust, I seal this prayer, Amen.
• …With a grateful heart, I say Amen.
• …In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
• …Through Christ, our Lord, Amen.
• I rest in your promises, Amen.

Biblical Prayer Endings You Can Use

What can be even more encouraging and inspiring in your prayer life, is to look at prayers in the Bible and how they end. These can serve as powerful and Scriptureally grounded ways for you to conclude your own prayers.

• “For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13
• “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16
• “I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me.” Psalm 13:5-6
• “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
• “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14
• “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
• “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
• “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
• “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25
• “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” Revelation 22:21

No matter how you choose to end your prayers, God invites us to encounter Him through prayer. Whether we end with “Amen” or any other phrase, the closing words are not merely the conclusion of a prayer, but a continuous weaving of our spiritual journey of growing deeper in faith and love.

Through prayer we are invited to encounter God, and through closing prayer we are invited to trust Him.

1. Roger L. Omanson, “Amen,” ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 56. ↩︎
2. Ingrid Spellnes Faro, “Amen,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). ↩︎