Paul was saying farewell to the leaders of the Church at Ephesus before he continued to Jerusalem. He referred to these leaders as "overseers" appointed by the Holy Spirit to look after the Church of God. Paul was realistic - he knew that there would be others who would misrepresent the truth and cause division. So he encouraged the leaders to be vigilant and faithful to what he had taught them. Significantly, they all prayed together before Paul's departure. Prayer is crucial to a faithful walk with God.

Jesus brought His concern for His disciples to His Father. Jesus knew that He would soon be leaving this world and He asked the Father to keep the disciples in unity with Him, just as Jesus was in unity with God. Jesus knew that, because of following Jesus and His teachings, the disciples no longer followed the way of the world, so they were hated. Jesus asked His Father to bless and protect the disciples as Jesus sent them into the world to share the Gospel. Jesus asks the Father to do the same for us as we live in unity with Jesus and His teachings.