Jesus in this prayer is specifically praying for those who belong to Him and not for all the people of the world (v9). There is a benevolence in God towards the whole world in that He sends the rain on the just and unjust, but there is a specific love for His chosen people which the rest of the world will not experience.

As Jesus’ leaves His disciples He is praying for them to be kept (v10-11). The teaching in chapters 14-16 was to protect them and that is now backed up by Jesus praying for their protection. The word and prayer are the two great weapons to enable the Christian to be secure. The only lost was Judas (v12).

Jesus is praying for His disciples to be protected in this world which is particularly hostile to believers, partly due to the evil one (v14-16). Believers are protected through the truth of the God’s Word (v17-19). Believers survive while under attack through God’s word guiding and strengthening them.

Remember as you daily go out into this world that it is not friendly to believers and it is only through God’s word resting in your heart that you will be strong and secure.