The Church Prays — Acts 12:5–19 | Good News Unlimited
The Church Prays — Acts 12:5–19
Oct 29, 2026 8
James is dead, and Peter is in prison. Herod seems to have all the power. What can the church do?
Acts 12:5–7
[5] So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. [6] Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. [7] And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. (ESV)
The church prays (Acts 12:5). That word earnest means ‘at full stretch’, and it’s actually from the same word family that was used to describe Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane (Luke 22:44)!
The church can’t overpower Herod or get Peter out of prison. But they can bring him to God in prayer. And while they pray, the Lord sends an angel to lead Peter out past the guards and through the iron gate (Acts 12:7–10). Peter then realises: the Lord has rescued him (Acts 12:11).
He goes to the house where the church is gathered and praying (Acts 12:12). A servant girl named Rhoda comes to answer his knock (Acts 12:13).
Acts 12:14–16
[14] Recognising Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. [15] They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” [16] But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. (ESV)
The very people praying for Peter’s release can hardly believe it when God answers (Acts 12:14–16)! Peter motions for them to be quiet and tells them how the Lord brought him out of prison (Acts 12:17).
What a remarkable rescue. But this chapter began with James’s death (Acts 12:2). God does not promise to rescue every believer from every danger in this life. We can pray boldly while trusting him with the outcome.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
The Good News is…
While we may not know whether God will rescue us from a particular trial or carry us through it, we know that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, he has already secured the greatest rescue for all who trust in him!
Our future is secure in our Risen Lord. And so the church prays as we bring our present fears and needs to God.
Like and share so others can see Jesus clearly.
Further reading: Acts 12:5–19
Reflection
What are you asking God to do? Bring it to him honestly, and ask him to help you trust him whatever the outcome.
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited
