It may seem strange that Jesus did not pray for the world, and even wanted to make that clear to the disciples who listened to His prayer.  But why?  Surely Jesus came because God loved the world so much that those who believe in Him would have eternal life (John 3:16).  Would Jesus not want to pray that the world would believe in Him?  

But how would they believe in Him?  God’s chosen method was through the witness of those who already believed in Jesus (Romans 10:14-17).  The role of the apostles was crucial.  They had been with Jesus and, when He left the world, they would have the responsibility of telling the world about Him (1 John 1:1-3).  As they did, the Holy Spirit would energise their words and apply them to the hearers.  Those who believed would be saved.  That is why the Lord Jesus did not pray for the world.  Nobody can turn to Christ unless they hear the gospel.  

That is why Jesus prayed for the disciples (‘learners’) who He had commissioned as apostles (‘sent ones’ or ‘missionaries’).  He prayed that they would stay true, keep ‘on message’ and not give up.  For the same reason, the apostles prayed for the new churches that they might know their eternal security and have power to witness about Jesus (Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 3:16-17).  Even the Apostle Paul prayed that the Ephesian church might pray for him, that he would proclaim Christ faithfully and fearlessly (Ephesians 6:19-20).

It is the same today.  Although gospel hearted people long that whole nations might believe in Jesus, primarily we need to pray for the gospel messengers (Matthew 24:14).  These men and women may not be church leaders, but they are God’s agents of gospel truth.  But unless they stay true to Jesus, and encourage others to put their trust in Him, the church of Jesus Christ will not grow in that place.  That is why we need to pray for other believers, even those we do not know personally - that they will know the security of Jesus, live in a way that is pleasing to Jesus and recommend Him to their friends and colleagues.  In many places it is tough to witness for Christ; they need our prayers and His courage.  Through our prayers, God’s people are given the strength and wisdom to announce the crucified and risen Jesus as the only hope for a broken world.