Fervent Prayer

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Acts 12:5

• The word, earnest, in this verse in Greek is ektenos which means "fully-stretched" or i.e. "fervent."
• The church, i.e the people of God, made fervent prayer for Peter that he might be rescued and not die like James, the brother of John, who died earlier. 
• It is interesting to note that it is around the Passover time when Jesus died as well. Therefore, it had already been a few years since the disciples of Jesus had been witnessing.
• James died just as his master died around the same time of the Passover.
• Peter was spared and this is due, at least in part, to the church praying for Peter.
• It is imperative that we, as the church, should also pray for those who are being persecuted around the world that they might be spared and continue to witness until Jesus returns.