RTW 2024

But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

Acts 12:5

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Acts 12:5 (NKJV)

“The verb ektenos is related to ektenes, a medical term describing the stretching of a muscle to its limits.”  - John MacArthur

Strong’s 1618

Ektenés (Eck ten ace) (ek-ten-ace')
stretched, zealous, earnest, assiduously

Assiduously

• with careful and consistent effort; diligently or tirelessly:
• constantly; ceaselessly:

When I stretch my prayer muscle there is:

• Earnestness in the prayer (Seeking His will not our own)
• Commitment to the prayer (Don’t cease praying until there is an answer)
• Offering of the prayer (Accepting God’s way to answer the prayer)

Peter’s freedom, though a miraculous answer to prayer, led to the death of innocent guards.

Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.
Acts 12:19

Stretch my praying muscles until they are sore.