My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
This is a salient reminder that we live in a world under the constant attack by Satan. He is a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) but disguises himself as an angel of light and is extremely crafty willing to deceive all people (2 Corinthians 11:3, 14). We need to remember that Satan is not omniscient, omnipresent, nor omnipotent, but is a personal being demonstrating intellect and will. But greater than he is the one that save us by the shedding of his blood. In the verse quoted, we see Jesus praying to the Father, that Satan would not be able to snatch a believer from His arms. This is of great consolation and reassurance. It does not matter how bad the world becomes, what wars are being fought, which straits are closed, someone who is a born-again believer has been sealed by the Holy Spirit and cannot be be lost to Satan.
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