Psalm 145:14-15

New International Version (NIV): The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.

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 14-15): When I fall, You are there to hold me up. It’s not just me. You are there for everyone who calls on your name as their Savior. Too many refuse Your help. Too many pay lip service to being loyal to You, but when push comes to shove, they reject Your help. We all fall. Sometimes, we are pushed; sometimes, we trip accidentally; sometimes, we step over the cliff’s edge with our eyes wide open. However, it does not matter how we begin the process, You will uphold us when we turn to You for rescue. When life weighs us down, we can turn to You for strength and healing. Lord, strengthen me so that I am not bowed down. Hold me up so that I don’t fall. I look to You for my needs. Too often, I want to build storehouses to stash extra supplies for later. I want to make my own security, but You have promised that You always provide our needs at the right time. Those who trust in You do not need to stockpile extra. We need to trust You to supply our needs. Sometimes, You bring a miraculous supply like the oil continuing to pour and bread and fish multiplying to feed thousands. Other times, You simply give a daily portion by giving us adequate rain or money. We may not see the manner in which we will receive now, but You always have a way that provides for our needs at the perfect time.