“Emunah” // Revelation 3:14

Today’s verse is one that struck me anew regardless of the times I read it previously: “These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” This refers directly to Jesus, also known as, the Amen. Our word for amen comes from the Hebrew, emunah, which begins with the idea of belief and trust. In other words, we are saying we trust and believe in the One to Whom we lift our prayers. That leads to the more broadly understood translation where amen means, “so be it; yes.” We say amen at the end of a prayer to essentially say: I believe in you, Lord; I trust in you, Lord; I’ve said my piece; may it be.”

James 1:6 says, “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who ‘worry their prayers’ are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open” (MSG). I don’t know about you, but I’ve worried many a prayer to God. James’ words are instructive that our focus need not be on the conditions we confront — even if they are stormy and causing wind-whipped waves — but the One who sees all and rules over every aspect of creation.

I hope you will take some time today and pray. If you’re rejoicing, let God rejoice with you. If you’re worrying, though, ask boldly and believingly, trusting in the One who hears your prayers and wants to echo a yes, so be it! That does not mean you will always get what you request, but it does mean you can trust in the One hears you.