Psalm 139:5-7

New International Version (NIV): You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

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 5-7): 

I have been blest because You were there in my past protecting and loving me, and You are still there in my future making my path to You straight. You are around me in every aspect of my life. There is no part of my life or surroundings that is too small or unimportant for Your presence. You are also in me touching my heart and guiding my mind. I am not alone. Knowing this is so mindblowingly beautiful that I cannot process it. Understanding Your presence in my life is far beyond my comprehension level. I simply cannot wrap my mind around it. The Spirit is my constant companion and will never leave me unless I drive Him away. If I simply flee or hide, I cannot escape the constant presence of His enduring love. There is nowhere that I can be without Him. This is amazing. Even in the depths of my exhaustion and depression, He is there with me, supporting me, loving me. You are mine forever, and I am Yours always and everywhere.