Summary

In the chapter titled “Amen,” Lamott writes that the word “Amen” the traditional ending of many prayers end is a word that means “and so it is.” She says this is an acknowledgement of the way life is. Just when we get relief from one painful situation or are awed by God’s power, we often find ourselves in a place where we need help again.

No matter what Amen means, Lamott says that this word, as well as the prayer itself, is only as good as the attitude in which it is said. While some Christians argue that the perfect prayer is included in the Bible and was presented by Jesus Christ Himself, Lamott does not believe that this surety of a prefabricated prayer is necessarily a good thing. She agrees with Matisse who says that it is most important to get “in...