Psalm 3:3-4

New International Version (NIV): But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain.

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 3-4): You have protected me in a thousand ways that I know about. I am sure that You have kept me safe in even more ways that I am unaware of. There are forces that attempt to harm me and make me fall, but You send Your angels to stand between me and my enemies. My friends hurt me in countless ways, and You heal me. This uncaring world would thoughtlessly crush me, but You stand between me and the powers that would roll over me. I fail, but in You there is victory. You turn my defeat into peace and my shame into confidence. In You, I can place my trust and hope. You will not leave me or let the disappointments of life devour me. You stand between me and my fears. When I bring my pain to You, You never ignore me. Instead, You teach me that You will always hold me close and never leave me. You are not far away. You are with me.