What is the context?
This promise follows Jesus’ statement that His followers will continue His works because He is going to the Father. Read in that setting, asking in His name belongs to their dependence on Him as they carry out His work.
Jesus identifies both the One who acts and the purpose of His action. He will do what is asked in His name so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. The final purpose is not simply the satisfaction of the person asking.
The wider teaching on prayer helps keep the promise in view. 1 John 5:14–15 connects confidence in prayer with asking according to God’s will. Jesus’ name is bound to who He is and what He is doing.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly understand asking in Jesus’ name as approaching God through Him, rather than treating His name as a formula that guarantees any desired result. The Reformed Westminster Larger Catechism, questions 180–181, describes confidence in Christ and His mediation, explicitly distinguishing this from merely mentioning His name. The Catholic Church’s Catechism, paragraphs 2614–2615, likewise connects prayer in His name with faith, love, keeping His word and communion with the Father through Him.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
The purpose of prayer here reaches into the relationship between the Father and Son: the Son’s action brings glory to the Father. Philippians 2:9–11 likewise describes the confession of Jesus as Lord bringing glory to God the Father. Praying through Jesus belongs to a life directed toward that glory.
What is our position?
Our study Prayer and Faith understands asking in Jesus’ name as asking in keeping with His character, authority and purposes. Adding His name to the end of a request does not turn it into a promise that our preferred outcome must happen. The study draws attention to the purpose stated here: the Father being glorified in the Son.