UNITED PRAYER

"PETER was therefore kept in prison, BUT CONSTANT PRAYER WAS OFFERED to God for him by the church."
Acts 12:5 (NKJV)

Comment: One of the practices of the early church in Jerusalem that is no longer common in the church today is United prayer (Acts 4:23-31).
This Scripture says, "Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church." The church today would rather call for board meetings, how to make arrangements to see one politician or another that would help to secure Peter's release. The only prayer the church prays today is a fire-brigade's prayer. The church wants to pray a desperate prayer, when they are confused and would not know what to do again. What they ought to have been interceding on, for God's intervention, would be left undone and to apathy, but would be having series of meetings, without commiting the matter to God in prayer.

It was the prayers of the church that made God intervene divinely and Peter was rescued without going through any man (Acts 12:1-11). If they—the church—had prayed on James issue, when he was arrested by the same Herod, he would have not been killed the way he was (Acts 12:1,2). I think the church woke up from their slumbering, that is why they started praying when Peter was arrested (Acts 12:5).
United prayer or prayer of agreement is one of the strongest prayers taught by Jesus Christ in the Bible (Matthew 18:18-20). When any matter arises, endeavour to get one or two like-minded people that would agree with you and take it to God in prayer (Matthew 18:19,20).
Note: A husband and wife can agree on a matter and turn the situation around for good; two believers or prayer partners can do the same, a group of people can do it, likewise a congregation of believers, and a whole community can unitedly come together in prayer.
If two people can come together in prayer, God will come in their midst to grant their requests (Matthew 18:19,20). Take a step now! Peace.