Several years ago my daughter gave me a new Bible as a gift; one I cherished for several reasons. More than my beloved copy of God's Word, it was also a gift from my beloved daughter. Add a slip-on cover with a cross on the front cover to remind me of the core message of the Good Book plus hundreds of underlines and handwritten notes, it became a comfortable companion.

That’s why I was heartbroken when it disappeared last month. Somewhere on a trip to lead a prayer segment for a gathering of Christian leaders, I must have misplaced it. It left with me but just didn't return. I've hunted high and low, made several SOS calls and, well, said a few prayers. Still no Bible. Still sad.

One of the reasons this is so difficult, is that Bible had become my unofficial prayer facilitator's guide. Through most of my ministry, notes and underlines have been study related or sermon prompted. A few mind-stirring or heart-piercing quotes. This Bible was different. The words and markings were instructions and reminders for leading corporate prayer. It had become my handy guide for leading prayer. A circled "U" indicated a psalm that enabled groups to pray prayers of praise, an upward focus. An added scripture reference probably indicated another example of believers praying together. "Spend much time together in the place of prayer" reminded me of the word-for-word translation of Colossians 4:2. Markings indicated some of the great prayers of both Old and New Testaments that provide formats for solemn assemblies or seeking first His kingdom. Examples from Kings David and Jehoshophat, the Apostle Paul, Mary's exaltation, and of course, the Lord's Prayers in John 17.

Ouch. Losing that Bible still stings. But, it has also helped me realize how much I have begun to understand the scriptures as a prayer book. And not merely a prayer book for personal intercession and praise. The Bible (the living Word of God, not my personal copy) has revealed itself as the first guide for corporate prayer facilitators! Psalms. Parables. Prophets. Stories and letters. A template for any prayer group. A formate for every prayer focus.

Standing before a congregation called by their pastor to devote a Sunday evening to prayer, I had forgotten that I had lost my personalized Bible until, that is, I turned to a familiar passage to lead us into prayer. The pages did not turn the same and when I finally found the reference, no notes, no underlines. After a moment of worry, the leadership of the Holy Spirit took over and my missing markings were unimportant. His leadership, often directly through specific scriptures, is more important than any human comments

But, I'll miss that lost book. At least until I mark up that new one I bought just this morning.

Pastor Phil