Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews….And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. But the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. Acts 12:1-11, 20-25 (KJV)

We see in these verses that Herod the king was persecuting and killing the church, even some of the apostles. Herod killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. Then he went after Peter, intending to kill him as well. Peter was put into prison and would have surely been executed. However, prayer was made without ceasing. The church interceded for him. They had seen James killed and they wanted to prevent the same thing from happening to Peter.

I believe some things can be diverted by prayer. Perhaps, if the church had prayed in the same manner for James, his life might have been spared.

We need to pray and pray for one another. Regardless if God delivers us through a thing, like James, or if He delivers us from a thing, like Peter, prayer makes a difference. When we pray, we are obeying God.

Oh yes, God did judge Herod for his wicked acts and for not giving glory to God. God always makes things right. We must be willing and obedient to God to the the very end- so that through death or life God is made known and glorified.