Jesus simply prays for His disciples. He does not pray for the world, although He loves it (John 3:16). Jesus came to save men out of the world, but He will certainly not pray for the world as such. The “world” (kosmos) when used by John is the whole world system of men which stands in opposition to God and is hostile to the work of Christ. Satan rules the world system (1 John 5:19) and we are not to have a part with it (1 John 2:19). God (and therefore Jesus), knows who is going to be saved and has no need to pray generic prayers for those who are not saved. Note God’s command to Jeremiah in (Jer 7:16). We, however, do not possess this knowledge and should pray for everyone since we know that God wants to save everyone (1 Tim 2:1, 4, 1 Sam 12:23).

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 5:19  We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

1 John 2:19  They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

Jeremiah 7:16  “So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.

1 Timothy 2:1  I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—

1 Timothy 2:4  who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Samuel 12:23  As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

Jesus does not pray for the world since its salvation is totally dependent upon it ceasing to be the world. If He did pray for the world, He would pray that it be converted and no longer be the world, much like His prayer when He was crucified (Luke 23:34). Jesus here, however, prays for His disciples, who are His agents on earth to reach the world and save men from it.

Luke 23:34  Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.