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

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going"... or at least some people get going. They go as far as they can from anything that's tough. It's easy to split, but it's often necessary to stay. So Paul wrote in Philippians 1:23-24, "I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account." 

Jesus prayed for his disciples with the knowledge of coming days of tribulation. He didn't ask that they be delivered from the fray, He only asked for spiritual protection. There was a great purpose for them to stay and serve, so they were kept from the power of the evil one. 

Do you pray for freedom from the tough days my friend? Have you ever given thought to the possibility that God had a greater purpose for you to weather such times? Pray with Jesus, and seek the protective presence and power of the Lord, and rather than slipping away in the night, stand strong in the light.