Fervent Prayer

King Herod was sure intent on showing off in Acts 12:1-11. "And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword." Next, he had Peter arrested during the Passover feast. As "the Rock" sat in prison with 16 soldiers guarding him, "prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God."

On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, an angel suddenly appeared in Peter's cell and prodded him awake. This Brightness prompted quick dressing as they were moving out! Peter's chains fell off and grabbing his shoes and coat he hurried after the Messenger. They passed one guard station, the second guard station, the prison iron gate (which opened by itself) and ended up on the street before Peter realized this was not a dream. "When Peter came to himself, he said, 'Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.'"

What an answer to prayer! This church must have been engaged in prayer like that described in James 5:16: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." This prayer is mentioned in verse 15 as "the prayer offer in faith".

But we know that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God ". (Romans 10:17)

Lord, we ask again for a refill of the Holy Spirit so that we desire to dive into Your word and be strengthened in faith. We want to be able to pray fervently!