In Acts 12, Herod throws Peter in prison. How does the church respond?  With prayer. They seek the aid of the King of Kings who is greater than a mere earthly king. Their prayer response provides us with a good example for prayer today.  Consider that their prayer was:

• Corporate – Verse 12 says, “…many were gathered together and were praying.”  They believed in the importance of corporate prayer.  They believed in the church coming together to pray.  In our individualistic culture, we often miss this.  But the early church was a community, and they prayed together.  Do we pray corporately?
• Earnest – Verse 5 says, “…earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”  Their prayer was earnest.  The same word is used of Jesus’ prayer in the garden as he sweated blood.  Their prayer was not half-hearted or mere duty.  They cried out to God.  They pleaded with God.  Do we pray earnestly?
• Extended – Verses 4-6 make clear that Peter was in prison for at least a couple of days.  And during that whole time, the church prayed.  Day in and day out.  They were even praying through the night when Peter escaped.  Undoubtedly they had to stop to work and sleep, but when they could, they gathered to pray.  When a significant trial comes upon our church, do we pray extendedly?
• Expectant – Lest we think the early church were super-Christians, verses 13-16 make clear that they failed in this area of prayer.  When Rhoda tells them Peter is at the door, they think that she is out of her mind.  What irony that they are knocking on the door of heaven, and the answer to their prayer is knocking on their door – and they don’t believe it.  Do we pray expectantly?