Psalm 139:14

English Standard Version (ESV): I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

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 (verse 14): 

When I look at my body, I see the process breaking down and dying, yet I also see life building up and replenishing. The broken bone mends itself. The body fights off the invading virus. Sweat cools off overheated skin. You have created these complex organisms that are our bodies with an abundance of ways to heal and protect. How could You keep whole systems in Your mind while focusing on chemical interactions and gluing tiny cells together to form body parts and perform functions necessary for existence. The tiniest nucleus or string of DNA is incredibly complex and yet You put these minute segments of carbon and data and dirt together to form me. All that You have created reveals a mind that is full of understanding of necessity, inter-relations, and beauty. You think of form and function and creativity and protection and reproduction and satisfaction when You start the processes that form us into living organisms, Whether a budding crocus that survives the freezing snow or a baby rooting around for his mother’s milk for the very first time, You have thought of everything. In my deepest instincts is the knowledge that You are my Creator.