At least ten times, the Book of Acts mentions the collective prayer of first-century believers. Here, Acts 12 describes their united prayer for Peter, whose death at the hands of Herod seemed imminent. Four characteristics of that prayer meeting are helpful.

First, their prayer was without ceasing. Other translations use the term “fervent” or “earnest” to give the sense of a Greek word that means “stretched out” or “at full tension.” This was not a time of perfunctory prayer, merely some duty or routine. This was passionate prayer! There was no slack in their effort. A similar word describes the earnest prayer of the Lord Jesus in Gethsemane (Lk. 22:44). Is this the fervency we have in our own prayer meetings?

Second, prayer was offered by the church. It is certainly essential for every believer to spend personal time with God in prayer. But collective prayer provides a distinctly unique opportunity to express our living unity as a local testimony of Christians. What must it be like for angels to see beacons of prayer shining upward from the cities where believers meet! How sweet our collective prayer must sound at the throne of grace.

Third, their prayer was unto God. Our unrestricted access into God’s holy presence is among the greatest blessings He has given; yet perhaps we cherish it the least. It would transform our prayers if we truly valued the invitation to speak freely with the Lord of heaven and earth.

And fourth, they prayed for Peter. When we pray, we should be specific! Too often we pray in generalities to the God who loves to give precise answers.

It is true that those who prayed in Acts 12 were surprised by God’s response. But let us not judge them too harshly, for perhaps in comparison to them we scarcely pray at all.