Psalm 144:1-2

English Standard Version (ESV): Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

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 1-2): 

I follow a Leader who is beyond comparison to any other ruler. When my world shakes and trembles and secure shelters fall to the ground shattered into tiny pieces, my God is still standing strong, a firm rock that cannot be broken or shaken. Jesus does not send me into battle unprepared. Instead, He trains me in the ways to fight His battles and the skills I need to win. He does not use me as a tool. Instead, He loves me as His own. He is not just my leader; He is also my faithful Companion. When I need protection from the world, He is my shelter. I can retreat to His strength when the troubles of this world overwhelm me. When I am in over my head, He is there pulling me up out of the stormy ocean. When troubles attack me, He stands between me and the arrows aimed at my heart to deflect them. He makes me the victor and sets me up as royalty with a crown of authority so that none can dominate me.