Psalm 145:5-6 How did I get from awesome works to kittens? You never know where the Spirit will lead you when you are praying the Psalms.

New International Version (NIV): They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds.

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 5-6): 

I hear others speak of how great You are, but it is not enough to truly reveal Your character. I read of Your mighty acts, and it is closer to my heart, yet I still fall short of seeing the immenseness of who You are. I declare how great You are to others, but my praise is so small compared to Your glory and honor and faithfulness. I rest in the beauty of Your creation, and I come a little closer to sensing Your magnificence.

When I have stood next to ocean waves rolling into the shore, I have felt a touch of Your power. As I stood at the top of a mountain gazing down into the valley below, I have understood how tiny I am and how gigantic You are. As I stared with stunned amazement at a star-studded sky, I have been overcome with a knowledge that Your world is vast, and my world is small and limited. As I watched birds flying overhead, I realized that there is so much in my own world that I cannot reach and touch. As I watched kittens pouncing and posturing, I know that You love laughter and value sweetness. I want to tell of these insights to others, but my words are flat and lifeless. Bring Your Spirit into my praise and give it life.