This is Jesus, praying to the father on behalf of the original disciples that were made Apostles. He pray to the father to keep the apostles encouraged as they will go out to minister, against great opposition and not to give up when confronted with adversity. He told the father that the words that the He gave Him He gave them to his disciples, and they received them. Also that He sent them out as sheep in the midst of wolves. He also prayed to the father, for those that would receive the word from those apostles and from generation to generation. He prayed for us.