"I haven't fasted or prayed enough to have that kind of authority."
How it sounds in your head: Jesus said some demons only come out by prayer and fasting. You pray for like five minutes and forget to fast. You're not disciplined enough, dedicated enough. The people with real authority have prayer closets and fasting schedules. You don't.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
-- Ephesians 2:8-9Source: Religion twisted Matthew 17:21 into a works-based earning system instead of understanding unbelief as the issue Jesus addressed.
You hear about saints who pray for hours and fast for days. Your prayer life feels inconsistent and shallow. It seems logical that more effort equals more power.
Lazarus was dead four days, decomposing. He didn't pray, didn't fast, didn't do anything—he was DEAD. Jesus spoke one command: 'Lazarus, come forth!' and instantly death released him. Zero works from Lazarus. Total power from Jesus. The breakthrough had nothing to do with Lazarus' effort.
I REFUSE the lie that authority comes from how much I pray or fast. IT IS WRITTEN that salvation—and everything that flows from it—is by GRACE through faith, NOT OF WORKS. My authority is a gift Jesus purchased, not a merit badge I earn. Prayer and fasting are tools that sharpen my focus, but they don't make God more willing or me more powerful. I ALREADY have ALL authority because I'm IN CHRIST. IT IS WRITTEN in Luke 10:19 that Jesus GAVE me authority—past tense, done deal. I am Abraham's seed, blessed by covenant not by discipline.
The Father isn't tallying your prayer minutes or fasting days. He's saying, 'You're My son. I gave you the keys to the kingdom the moment you believed. Use them. Stop trying to earn what I already freely gave.' He's not impressed by your effort—He's thrilled by your trust.