Earnestly, fervently, or with great intensity — the adverbial form of ektenēs. Used in Acts 12:5 to describe the church's fervent prayer for Peter in prison, and in 1 Peter 1:22 to describe the quality of love believers should have.
Ektenōs characterizes two of the most important Christian practices: prayer and love. In Acts 12, while Herod had Peter imprisoned, 'the church was earnestly praying to God for him' — and an angel freed him before morning. The adverb describes prayer that strains forward, does not let go, keeps pressing. This echoes the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1–8). Earnestness in prayer and earnestness in love are the hallmarks of a community that has truly grasped grace.