Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)  Now, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Imagine - you don't know how  to read.  Why should you? Your language is oral, not written.  There is no alphabet.  There is no concept of writing anything down.  I would be in big trouble because I could never write down my to do lists from my wife.  Of course, there would be no bible.  No way to read God's Word.  No way to meditate on God's Word.  I'm reminded of Romans 10, as Paul quotes from Isaiah - "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"  Coming out of the Grace Church Global Impact Conference, I'm reminded of the many different ways people bring good news to every corner of the globe.  I'm especially captivated by those who devote years in deciphering a language, creating an alphabet, teaching literacy - and for the first time every, watching an oral society morph into a literate society.  Then - the task of translating God's Word into this new language.  Once a people get God's Word in their "heart language" and they learn to read it - their lives are never the same.   

Today was sort of weird.  Actually, this week has been somewhat strange: spiritually that is.  I've been thinking about prayer, praying about prayer, reading about prayer - yet vacillating between guilt for not praying enough or well enough and anticipation for God's answer to some specific, personal prayers.  I thought today's sermon would really come together, but I wrestled all week long.  Actually, I'm rather frustrated with my feeble attempt to talk about prayer.  The nature of prayer seems more conducive to "doing it" than talking about it.  This evening I went on a prayer walk.  Ok, not the typical prayer walk.  I took Cody, my dog, and went on a walk to pray.  This is the cool thing about talking with God.  I started off complaining to God over my lame attempt today and ended with God speaking peace into my spirit, giving some needed direction.  The events of the day didn't change, but my perspective changed. 
Prayer changes things, beginning with me.  What a privilege we have to actually talk with God.