John 16:23
On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you — the transition from asking Jesus to asking the Father shows the disciples' maturation; they are being weaned from dependence on Jesus' physical presence to learn direct relationship with the Father. Yet the asking is still "in Jesus' name"; the relationship to the Father is mediated through Jesus, grounded in his redemptive work. Prayer in Jesus' name is prayer aligned with his character and purpose.