John 16:26
“In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you,”
What does John 16:26 mean?
Jesus is saying something surprisingly direct here: you won't need me to be a middleman between you and God anymore. When he says "in that day," he's pointing to the time after his resurrection and ascension, when his followers would have direct access to God through prayer. The promise isn't that God will suddenly start listening because Jesus asks nicely, but that you can come before God yourself, speaking in Jesus's name (meaning with his authority and in his spirit), and be heard. This is remarkable news for anyone who feels distant from God or thinks they need someone else to advocate for them, because it means you already have the kind of closeness and permission you're longing for.