I do not ask that you take them out of the world,
but that you keep them from the evil one.
John 17:15

Prayer time can be quite interesting in a group setting. The lifting up of other names, problems, and hurts enters the group into the know, and quickly. That knowledge may directly or indirectly impact you. It may cause you joy and/or sorrow. It may spark an idea or fear. Prayer time is active sport, even when you’re not the one praying.

I wonder if Jesus’ disciples felt this way when He prayed (John 17:5), “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” With this they hear that they are not going to get protection by removal from the situation but protection by God persevering them within. When Jesus ascends, the devil will turn his efforts towards Jesus’ followers, and they will receive the brunt of the devil’s hatred, schemes, and power (at least more directly).

This prayer likely causes varying emotions as Christians read it today. Some feel ready, even impassioned; others, fearful and uncertain. However you may feel, this prayer reminds us of important truths for our daily lives.

Jesus Prayed for Us

Jesus knew what Christians would face in His bodily absence, and prayed to the Father for them. He called upon the power of the almighty to persevere His people through the temptations and lies of the devil. Jesus has gone before His people in salvation, sanctification, and perseverance. He is well aware of His enemies and their tactics toward His followers. And He entrusted us to the Father.

Jesus Gives Us His Armor

Prayer has been given above as well as armor below. Jesus leaves us with the armor of God (Eph. 6:10–18) to stand against the schemes of the devil. Therefore, we have God’s character in Christ to not only persevere, but to persevere while bearing fruit. The evil one will come; but we stand ready to walk in righteousness. The world would call for us to imitate it, to compromise with it, or even to disengage from it completely. Nevertheless, we stand as armor and fruit bearers for Christ.

Jesus Gives Us the Same Prayer

Jesus taught His disciples to pray, in essence, the same prayer He prayed. He said (Matt. 6:13), “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We not only stand and bear fruit, but we lean upon God in daily prayer for His protection. Until Christ returns, we battle with the influence of the world, the lust of the flesh, and schemes of the devil. These battles must be met with prayer; in other words, we must lean upon God’s grace and power to rise above them.

Putting these elements together, protection from the evil one must be important. Let us remember that we serve Christ in a dark world with a dark leader, but that the Lord reigns above it all and we are anchored to Him who sits at the right hand of the Father.

The devil would come,
But my Lord has prayed,
My Father’s protection,
I won’t be swayed.

The devil would fire,
Try to be my charmer,
But my Lord has girded me,
In His steadfast armor.

The devil would wait,
Seek me a time unsteady,
But my Lord’s prayer persists,
I’m always ready.