Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:12-14)
Some folks take these verses to mean that they can ask for anything they desire and simply ask “in Jesus name” and He’s obligated to answer in such a way that they receive whatever it was they requested. The key to understanding this verse is obviously the phrase “in my name.”
So, simple question… would you sign a contract without reading it? Would you sign if the contract obligated you to something that was outrageous? What if the contract committed you to something that was obviously contrary to your character? What if the contract committed you to a plan that was directly opposite of what you wanted or knew to be best?
Same issue with Jesus… asking in His name means that you really desire the same thing He desires. You want what he wants. Your goals are consistent with His. Your plans mirror His. Then you can pray in confidence and “in His name,” knowing that what you want He wants, too!
Hilltop Baptist Church - Shawnee, OK 
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