The power of corporate prayer (Acts 12)

Acts 12 begins and ends with death; one a saint of God, James brother of John, and the other a cruel villain, Herod Agrippa I, whose grandfather ordered the killing of babies during the time of Jesus.  In between the two deaths are the senseless deaths of the soldiers and a lovely story of God's intervention through the prayers of the house church held at Mary's place (v 12).  Simon Peter (by the way Peter was his surname) was arrested by Herod to make a sport of him after Passover (v 4).  When the church heard the news of his arrest they prayed for him.  How did the church pray that led to the miraculous escape of Peter?


They prayed
Intensely:  this means constant earnest prayers (v 5) were being made; this was not unlike what Elijah did when he prayed for no rain and rain on the land of Israel (James 5:17-18).  Elijah prayed seven times before a small speck of rain cloud was seen in the horizon (1 Kg 18:44-45).  Do we pray constantly and earnestly for the requests we desire from God?
Intently: the church was praying specifically for Peter, probably for his safety and release, so much so that when the answer to prayers came, they were not able to recognise it (v 13-15).   It is good to be specific in our requests to the Lord, just like what Jesus asked the blind men what He could do for them (Mt 20:32-33).  Have we been specific in our requests or are we beating around the bush?
Interactively:  when the people who prayed for Peter saw him they were amazed (v 16).  No doubt, they have been praying together in one accord just like the days prior to and after Pentecost (Ac 1:14; 4:24).  God answered the disciples then with a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire, and later a great earth shaking confirmation (Ac 4:31).  The Holy Spirit came and filled them, enabling them to speak in tongues and to declare God's word boldly.  Of course, in Peter's case, we again see the manifestation of the supernatural through an angelic intervention.  When we pray corporately, whether two or three or hundred, expect God to answer from heaven - that is the power of corporate prayer.


Jesus said, "If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven."    (Mt 18:19 NASB). 


There you have it - none other than our Lord confiming the power that lies in corporate praying.  As such, I would urge you to join the church in our corporate prayer meeting on Wednesdays.  Pray also with your friend, spouse, children, sibling, oikos member or anyone who can agree with you in prayer.  This agreement is not merely intellectual assent but one that comes about through Spirit inspired travailing prayers.  When two people come together to pray, being led and directed by the Spirit, they can accomplish much in the purposes of God.  May you be likewise led by the Spirit to pray.