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"Without Gods word, we wouldn't even know HOW to pray."

First, thanks for the kind reply.

I agree that Scripture reading, for prayerful purposes, is conducive to a strong relationship with Christ. However, I think we should define what "Word" means. Your verses that you cite discuss "Word", which generally means "spoken word", not "written word"! We receive faith through HEARING, says Paul. That applies today, as well.

How does a person generally come to the church? By the witness of others who speak to the non-believer. I don't know too many people who come to Christ ONLY by reading the Bible! It also takes a person preaching the Gospel, if I may use St. Francis again, we are to preach the Gospel, and sometimes, we are to use our mouth! We preach by our actions. And this "fruit" comes from a prayerful life in union with God. This does not exclude Bible reading. However, the first 1400 years of Christianity has shown us that one can be a very holy person without actually reading Scriptures. (no printing press yet).

As to the above verse you cite, consider that Christ did not hand out pamphlets of the Lord's Prayer and say "hear, read this and study it." No, He taught them by His preaching, by His actions. Our Lord prayed all night before undergoing an important action, such as the selection of His Apostles. He didn't take up the OT Scriptures with Him and read them.

Regards

>I agree that Scripture reading, for prayerful purposes, is conducive to a strong relationship with Christ. However, I think we should define what "Word" means. Your verses that you cite discuss "Word", which generally means "spoken word", not "written word"! We receive faith through HEARING, says Paul. That applies today, as well. <

Peter would disagree with you.

2Pe 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

2Pe 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Peter believed scripture was a more reliable than his experience hearing the voice of God.

We may be closer in view than I first thought.

Your verses that you cite discuss "Word", which generally means "spoken word
I would counter that Gods word is Gods word, and is the same word if spoken or written. However, I agree 100% with your example of one HEARING the Gospel. Paul did say that we receive the faith by hearing the word. Consequently, there is no substitute for regular attendance in church. - On this we agree.
I had to chuckle a bit about the pamphlets... you are exactly correct. I guess I didn't realize the implications of what I said.
My point I suppose is that after conversion, we tend to think of God as the granter of our wishes... we come to him with a laundry list of things that we want done. A bit like God works for us, and that we somehow deserve his favor by accepting his Salvation.
In studying Gods word, I think that we find that is not true - and we learn how to pray correctly. The Apostles even asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. And he did, through his word - spoken at the time, written at this time.

I certainly would not attempt to separate prayer from study, nor study from prayer.
After rambling a bit, I suppose you could say that my point is that I am not sure I could pick which one is more important.

Cordially,
GE