That dog won’t hunt ∙∙

That dog won’t hunt ∙∙

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. – James 5:16

James 5:16-18

 16 The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

President Lyndon B. Johnson popularized the phrase “that dog won’t hunt” in the 1960s, although its exact origin remains unknown. The expression had been in use since at least the 1930s. Notably, in 1986, Waylon Jennings transformed the phrase into a song.

“That dog won’t hunt” is a colloquialism prevalent in the southern United States. It conveys the idea that something will not serve its intended purpose or that a plan or scheme is bound to fail. Close alternatives to this saying include “It just ain’t going to happen” or “It ain’t going to work out.”

Too often, when it comes to prayer, “That dog won’t hunt.”

What is ineffective prayer? We may not like to admit it, but we all know what ineffective prayer is. It is all too common and happens so much of the time. Ineffective prayer is prayer that does not get answered. Ineffective prayer does not achieve the desired results and seemingly does not influence the Father. It is inadequate and useless.

While there are undoubtedly additional factors to consider, such as timing, the acid test for prayer’s effectiveness is remarkably straightforward. It can be attempted by anyone at any time or place. If you pray without a discernible outcome, your prayer is likely ineffective. In other words, “that dog won’t hunt.”

To understand this better, simply review the meanings of effective and ineffective words.

To be effective means to achieve the desired effect, intended outcome, or expected result. When something is effective, it accomplishes the task at hand. It gets the job done. It can exert force or influence that contributes to the ultimate outcome.

The term “ineffective” denotes not producing the desired effect or effects. When something is ineffective, it falls short in terms of adequacy, competence, capability, potency, or usefulness.

Why are prayers so often ineffective? If the children of the King are sincere in their prayers and genuinely seek the best possible outcome, there is no need to examine the motives of their hearts. Perhaps the ineffectiveness stems from the assumptions made by His children.

Could it be that we think we “know” what is best in a given situation which contributes to the ineffectiveness of our prayers? Do we believe that we know what ought to happen? If so, do we pray and ask the Father to do what we think is right? Do we try to persuade the Father to carry out our plan and not His?

If so, we need to change our way of thinking. The Scriptures are pretty clear. Prayer is effective when the children of the King seek to pray His will into existence rather than their own.

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Luke 11:2 When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.

Take a moment to reflect on one of your favorite athletes. Now, envision them performing at the level of excellence that you know they are capable of. What do you witness in your mind’s eye? Let’s shift gears and imagine that same athlete as a 5-year-old child. While traces of the talent that will later make them exceptional as an adult may be apparent, can the child perform at the same level as they will when they reach adulthood? Of course not!

What does it take to transform a 5-year-old child into an accomplished world-class athlete? The short answer is at minimum time and practice.

Our heartfelt desires may be pure. We may sincerely seek what we believe is the best for others. However, in the realm of prayer, could it be that we frequently resemble 5-year-old children, incessantly tugging on our parent’s clothes, yearning for our wishes to be granted? What if our best is not aligned with His best?

REFLECT & PRAY

It’s often said that the purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven but to get God’s will done on earth (Wiersbe).

Father I wish my prayers could be more effective. Enable me to get to know You better and hear and recognize Your voice. Give me a willing heart to carry out Your wishes.

INSIGHT

“Praying itself is not a shot in the dark, not a net cast into the sea with the hope of a good catch. Praying is working along with God in the fulfillment of His divine plan” (Thomas Haire).

“In prayer, we need always to obtain the wisdom of the Spirit so that we may pray according to the will of God and not suffer discouragement from failure to see our prayers realized” (Thomas Haire).

When our goal is to pray the Father’s will into existence, effective prayer begins with first discovering His will. This means establishing a deep connection with the Father and cultivating the capacity to recognize His voice. The prophet Elijah shows the way.

James 5:16-17

 16 The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

What is the difference between Elijah and us? Nothing!

How was Elijah able to know how to pray? What enabled him to pray effectively? How did he pray the Father’s will into existence on earth? The Father revealed His will to him and told them to pray that His will be done and what to say to others.

1 Kings 17:1-2

 1 Now Elijah, the Tishbite in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives – the God I serve – there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!”

 2 Then the LORD said to Elijah,

1 Kings 18:1 Later on, in the third year of the drought, the LORD said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!”

James explains how knowing the Father’s will energizes our prayers and makes them effective.

James 5:15 could be translated as “The energized prayer of a righteous man is able to do much.” Such prayers are “a potent force in calling down the power of God” (MacArthur). The Greek word translated as energized or effective is energeo. The English word “energy” comes from this term.

Where does the energy of effective prayer come from? It comes from the Father. When a righteous child of the King prays effectively, they are energized by the Father. He communicates with them. He works through them.

Now that dog will hunt!

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-17-1

© Dr. H 2023