Acts 12:1 to 12:19 Earnest prayer has great power, and God is able to break any chain to rescue and protect his servants. Observe the church gathering for earnest, united prayer for Peter in prison. Watch the angel strike Peter's side, make the chains fall off, and open iron gates. Laugh with joy at young Rhoda leaving Peter at the door in utter excitement. King Herod Agrippa I began persecuting the church in [Jerusalem](/bible/explorer/place/jerusalem), putting James the brother of John to death and arresting Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Bound with Two Chains Between Soldiers King Herod arrested Peter and put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him. Herod planned to bring him out to trial after the Passover. Peter was sleeping soundly between two Roman soldiers, bound with two heavy iron chains, while sentries guarded the prison gate. But the Bible notes a powerful contrast: 'earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.' Light in the Cell and Chains Fall Off The very night before Herod was to bring him out, an angel of the Lord suddenly stood beside Peter, and a bright light shone in the dark cell! The angel struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying: 'Get up quickly.' Immediately the iron chains fell off his hands! The angel instructed: 'Dress yourself and put on your sandals. Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.' Peter walked past the first and second guards, and when they came to the iron city gate, it opened for them of its own accord! Rhoda at the Door and Astonished Believers Realizing the Lord had truly rescued him from Herod, Peter went to the house of Mary, mother of John Mark, where many were gathered praying. When Peter knocked at the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that she did not open the gate, but ran back inside shouting: 'Peter is standing at the gate!' They told her: 'You are out of your mind!' But when they opened the door and saw Peter, they were utterly amazed. God had answered their prayers! So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Acts 12:5 What was the church doing while Peter was held in prison? Fighting Roman soldiers Making earnest prayer to God for him Giving up in despair Going home to sleep Making earnest prayer to God for him The church gathered together to pray earnestly and continuously for Peter. How did Peter escape from the heavily guarded prison? He dug a tunnel under the wall An angel of the Lord woke him, the chains fell off, and the iron gate opened on its own The soldiers forgot to lock the door Rhoda paid a ransom An angel of the Lord woke him, the chains fell off, and the iron gate opened on its own God sent an angel who caused the chains to fall off and led Peter through the open gate. What did the servant girl Rhoda do when she heard Peter's voice at the gate? She ran away in fear In her excitement, she forgot to open the gate and ran inside to tell everyone She told Peter to go away She went to sleep In her excitement, she forgot to open the gate and ran inside to tell everyone Overjoyed to hear his voice, Rhoda ran inside shouting that Peter was outside. Gather with family or friends this week to pray earnestly for someone who is facing a difficult problem or illness. Lord God, thank you for the power of earnest prayer. No prison, chain, or locked gate can stop your mighty deliverance. Teach us to pray together with faith and expectancy, trusting you to answer. Amen. Why was it so funny and endearing that Rhoda forgot to open the gate because of her excitement? How does this story encourage you when you pray for seemingly impossible situations? Demonstrate the power of corporate, persistent prayer and God's supernatural deliverance. Bring two metal links or a plastic chain. Demonstrate how hard it is to break chains, then show how easily God made them fall off. Why didn't the soldiers wake up? God sent a deep, supernatural sleep upon the guards so Peter could walk right past them. 5 minutes hook, 15 minutes story, 10 minutes discussion, 10 minutes prayer.