Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 12:5

"Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him." — Acts 12:5 (ASV)

But prayer was made. The church was aware of his imprisonment and danger, and had no recourse but to apply to God by prayer.

In scenes of danger, there is no other refuge; and the result shows that, even in the most discouraging circumstances, God can hear prayer.

Hardly anything could appear more hopeless than the idea of rescuing Peter out of the hands of Herod, out of the prison, and out of the custody of sixteen men, by prayer. But the prayer of faith prevailed with God.

Without ceasing. Intense, steady, ardent prayer. The word used here, ektenhv, is found in only one other place in the New Testament, 1 Peter 4:8: Have fervent charity among yourselves. The word rather indicates that their prayer was earnest and fervent, than that it was constant.

Of the church. By the church.

2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:18–19; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:16

The phrase "without ceasing" is also rendered "earnestly."