Praying For Peter
Trusting in His will and taking part in His plan
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. - Acts 12:5 KJV
Herod the king had put Peter in prison as part of his persecuting the church. He had soldiers and government authority at his disposal, but the church had prayer and the power of Almighty God. The prison doors were locked, however the gates to heaven are always open to prayer. The king had the sword as a weapon, the church had a greater one, (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 2 Corinthians 10:4).
Thus, Paul was released from prison, not by human means, but by an angel of the Lord sent in answer to prayers of the church. The early disciples here persistently called upon the Lord, not trusting in anyone or anything else. They learned of the faithfulness of God and their dependence on him, and they took part in the unfolding of His will.
Other versions of this verse mention constant prayer…earnestly praying…praying fervently…prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.
The words made without ceasing convey the idea of constant, a word can mean of earnest; literally, the word pictures someone stretching out all they can for something. “The verb ektenos is related to ektenes, a medical term describing the stretching of a muscle to its limits.” (MacArthur). This same word is used by Luke of Jesus praying in the Garden. (Luke 22:44)
How much of our praying remains powerless because it is not fervent, is not constant, or lacks earnestness? Earnest prayer has power not because it in itself persuades a reluctant God. Instead, it demonstrates that our heart cares passionately about the things God cares about, fulfilling Jesus’ promise If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you (John 15:7). (Guzik)
God has determined that his Word will be fulfilled and his plans will include the prayers of his people. So we pray because God commands it of us. Could Peter have been released from prison without prayer? Of course. But the church prayed because it is what Jesus did, taught, and commanded. The Lord directed it from long before:
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, [which] shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. - Isaiah 62:6-7
Peter was asleep when the angel arrived and took him from the cell out the locked gates, right by the guards. Then Peter came to the house where his friends were gathered together praying. He interrupted them praying for him! His appearance was the very answer to their crying out to God.
Talk about importunity. These friends did not just ask once and be off to other pursuits. They were constant in prayer, asking for Peter’s deliverance again and again. This was in the dead of night since the trial for Peter was set for the next day.
“As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy we must continue praying for it.” (M. Henry)
Some think that for as many that gathered there, each one prayed in turn, keeping the prayers going until they saw their prayers answered. We also ought to gather—in twos’s and three’s, or a dozen or more, to pray without ceasing, each taking a turn to ask for the thing being sought from the Lord.
God, in his sovereign will, heard the prayers of the church, delivered Peter from prison then later struck down the king. The church learned to call upon, and depend on God and give him glory in all circumstances. And the word of God grew and multiplied. (Acts 12:24)
We to, pray the same, participating in God’s plan, not knowing what events will transpire, but trusting in his Word.
Praying for the People of God from the Word of God
We are praying constantly for those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you - Jude 1:1-2 KJV
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