Praying for Peter

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Acts 12:5
In Acts 12 we read of how Herod started to step up his persecution of the apostles, executing James (Acts 12:2), and putting Peter in prison to be tried at a later date (Acts 2:4). The church in Jerusalem was praying for him.
Now, we don’t know exactly what they were praying, but God answered their prayers by sending an angel to let Peter out of the prison. Even while it was happening, Peter thought it was a dream (Acts 12:9). Note that Peter was not praying - he was asleep! (Acts 12:6). After his release, he went to the house where the church was gathered, and the servant girl who answered the door was so excited she forgot to let him inside (Acts 12:14). But here’s the thing: the believers who were praying, didn’t believe her (Acts 12:15).
Perhaps they had been praying that Herod would be merciful to Peter and not execute him as he had James. But God had other ideas. And despite their lack of faith that He could actually send an angel and bring Peter out by miraculous means, that is exactly what God did. This is encouraging to us. We might only have a little faith. We might be completely unable to imagine how God will work in a situation, but if we pray, He is able to work in the way that He wants to.