Psalm 116:7

New International Version (NIV): Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

Directions:  Choose a translation of the Bible that you easily understand, but that has depth of meaning.  I recommend that you keep a special journal just for praying the Psalms.  Try praying the Psalms for yourself before reading my version of these verses.  The point of this method is for the Spirit to speak with your heart and that you will commune with God about how your own experience relates to His word.  I only include my sample to help you understand what I mean in the steps and because it is always good for Christians to share their thoughts about God and experiences with Him.

Step 1:  Choose a verse or two from one of the Psalms and write it out in a notebook. 

Step 2: After reading a thought from the verse, begin writing your own version of that thought.  This is not exactly paraphrasing the Psalmist’s words although you can paraphrase if you wish.  This is taking the thought and applying it to your own life and changing the words to fit your own experience.  Continue writing about your experience with God until you no longer have anything more to say.

Step 3:  Go to the next thought in the verse and repeat Step 2. 

Step 4:  Continue this process until you feel satisfied that you are finished or until the verse’s thoughts are finished.

My version (verses 7): 

Stop worrying about life. Stop letting the stress of work and other people’s actions and words dominate your thoughts. Stop fretting over other people’s life problems. Instead, rest in Jesus. Find peace in simply being with Him. Know that He is with You. My God, You are the One who stays with me through all my troubles. You are the strength that I can lean on. You have given me the knowledge of Your presence and love. Let that knowledge seep into every part of my being so that I can rest in You.