vv. 2-4 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to have Peter arrested as well. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread [the Passover week]. When he had seized Peter, he put him in prison, turning him over to four squads of soldiers of four each to guard him [in rotation throughout the night], planning after the Passover to bring him out before the people [for execution].

The devil and his cohorts are happy to terminate the destinies of others. The wicked wants to have the heroes of faith fallen and he is always at work, roaming and seeking whom to devour. The above verses that the devil are always on the run to do things that please their followers. They are given to it constantly.

Sadly, the church whom were supposed to pray without seizing had siezed. The inactivity in the prayer life of the church endangered the lives of the disciples. Resuming the fervent prayer of the church opened doors for Divine intervention.

v. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent and persistent prayer for him was being made to God by the church.

The prayer life of believers are a component of their defense system. The keys to lock and unlock are in prayers. Jesus knew this and He will always keep afloat His prayer life.

Prayer is one of the tools we need to survive in this wicked world and we must be conscious to put it to work/use on a consistent level.