The world and even Christians often minimize the power of God and His effective will in accomplishing His work.  Sometimes the idea of an Almighty God doesn't always register in minds of the doubters.  God said in His Word that He is not like us and who can stay the power of God.  In this passage Herod wanted to execute Peter just like he did James, but God's wil always prevails.  Peter was released by an angelic being and put into the hands of the church that was praying for him and doing the will of God.  Herod wanted to be glorified as a god, but God saw fit in His will to instead die an awful death.  The Church continued to be persecuted but the Word of God grew and multiplied because that was the will of God.