“. . . BUT prayer . . . made fervently by the church of God.”

Acts 12:5b, NASB

Prayer made all the difference for the imprisoned Apostle. Do we understand the power of prayer? Do we realize the weaponry that is at our disposal? Our unbelief or lackadaisical approach may actually be hindering our prayers. In Acts, Herod had the Apostle James put to death and then imprisoned Peter. The church could have run and hid fearing they might be next but instead, they called for an all-night prayer meeting. With an intense passion (Acts 12:5b) “. . . many were gathered together and were praying” (Acts 12:12). We assume they were praying for protection from Herod but earnestly as well for Peter’s wellbeing. When we turn to God in our helplessness our prayers are His opportunities! Even though the church group prayed in earnest, they failed to believe that God was capable to deliver and so when Peter shows up at their door, “they are amazed”! (Acts 12:13-16)

Let’s believe God can! Not only did God rescue Peter from such a dire situation, but He eradicates Herod’s reign and serves him up to a bunch of hungry worms (12:23). Let’s fulfill the call to prayer asking the Holy Spirit to govern our pleas and petitions for the glory of God, and that all He desires to accomplish through this election would be overriding!  

“But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.”

Acts 12:24