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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

Thanks for your courteous reply.

Yes, I think we agree on the issue. I just wanted to emphasize that prayer is what we should focus on. I just finished reading St. Bonaventure's "Life of St. Francis".
Here is what Francis has to say on the issue (which is why I brought it up, as I had been reading it while seeing your post!)

"Once the friars asked Francis whether he was pleased that the learned men who had by that time been received into the Order should devote themselves to the study of Sacred Scripture. He replied "I am indeed pleased, as long as they do not neglect application to prayer, after the example of Christ, of whom we read that He prayed more than he read, and as long as they study not only in order to know what they should say but in order to practice what they have heard and when they have put it into practice themselves to propose it to others likewise." (Para 1, Chapter 11)

I think one could multiply such quotes numerous times, regarding the saints, those who have through their lives, most readily put on Christ. It would be most difficult to find someone who emulated Christ more than Francis did, to include receiving the stigmata - a true sign to others that he had indeed become "another Christ".

Regards