What does John 15:7 mean?

Context for Jesus' statement not only comes from the immediate passage, but also from His other comments about prayer. Jesus has referred to the idea of "abiding in" Him, referring to those who are truly connected to the True Vine, and who bear spiritual fruit as a result (John 15:1–6). Surrounding context for this implies those who are truly born-again believers.

At the same time, Jesus refers to those in whom His words "abide." That implies the same deeply rooted, intimate, life-giving relationship as between the vine and branches. In other places, Jesus clearly connected fulfilled prayer to the will of God the Father (Matthew 6:10; 26:39). When a person's prayer is wholly, entirely aligned with the Word and will of God, that person is legitimately praying "in the name" of Christ (John 14:13–14).

This is not, then, a license for believers to treat God like a cosmic robot, or a vending machine. Bearing spiritual fruit only comes when we "abide" in the power of Christ, and answered prayer only happens when what we pray is part of the will of God.