Today's Scripture & Prayer

Daily Bible Reading & Praying with the Church

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Today's Scripture & Prayer

Daily Bible Reading & Praying with the Church


The congregation of Countryside is encouraged to not only read ahead in the texts we will be sharing and studying together during our services, but also to personally read the Scriptures together as a congregation. Here you will find Scripture for the day (a Psalm for each morning (always at least the first Psalm) and night, and selections from the Old Testament, New Testament and Gospels), as well as weekly and daily prayers. Together we read through the New Testament once a year, and the Old Testament every two years. The Scripture selections, and the prayers, are from common sources used by most Christians throughout the world.

The historic church found expression in the same rhythms of worship and devotion that were evident in the early church, and among the Hebrews, God's people, before that.  Our hope is that the regular reminder will be of encouragement to us all to join the people of God in reading the Scriptures and praying. Both are meant to go together with our daily prayer and communion service.

Reading for Fri, Jul 3

Psalm 140

Psalm 140[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 Rescue me,(A) Lord, from evildoers;
protect me from the violent,(B)
2 who devise evil plans(C) in their hearts
and stir up war(D) every day.
3 They make their tongues as sharp as(E) a serpent’s;
the poison of vipers(F) is on their lips.[b]

4 Keep me safe,(G) Lord, from the hands of the wicked;(H)
protect me from the violent,
who devise ways to trip my feet.
5 The arrogant have hidden a snare(I) for me;
they have spread out the cords of their net(J)
and have set traps(K) for me along my path.

6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”(L)
Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.(M)
7 Sovereign Lord,(N) my strong deliverer,
you shield my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant the wicked(O) their desires, Lord;
do not let their plans succeed.

9 Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
may the mischief of their lips engulf them.(P)
10 May burning coals fall on them;
may they be thrown into the fire,(Q)
into miry pits, never to rise.
11 May slanderers not be established in the land;
may disaster hunt down the violent.(R)

12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor(S)
and upholds the cause(T) of the needy.(U)
13 Surely the righteous will praise your name,(V)
and the upright will live(W) in your presence.(X)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 140:1 In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.
  2. Psalm 140:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 140:1 : Ps 17:13; S 25:20; 59:2; 71:4; 142:6; 143:9
  2. Psalm 140:1 : ver 11; Ps 86:14
  3. Psalm 140:2 : Ps 36:4; 52:2; Pr 6:14; 16:27; Isa 59:4; Hos 7:15
  4. Psalm 140:2 : S Ps 68:30
  5. Psalm 140:3 : Ps 57:4
  6. Psalm 140:3 : Ps 58:4; Ro 3:13*; Jas 3:8
  7. Psalm 140:4 : Ps 141:9
  8. Psalm 140:4 : S Ps 36:11
  9. Psalm 140:5 : S Job 34:30; S Ps 119:110
  10. Psalm 140:5 : S Job 18:8
  11. Psalm 140:5 : Job 18:9; Ps 31:4; S 38:12
  12. Psalm 140:6 : S Ps 16:2
  13. Psalm 140:6 : S Ps 28:2, 6
  14. Psalm 140:7 : Ps 68:20
  15. Psalm 140:8 : Ps 10:2-3; S 66:7
  16. Psalm 140:9 : Pr 18:7
  17. Psalm 140:10 : Ps 11:6; 21:9; S Mt 3:10; Lk 12:49; Rev 20:15
  18. Psalm 140:11 : S Ps 34:21
  19. Psalm 140:12 : S Ps 82:3
  20. Psalm 140:12 : S 1Ki 8:45
  21. Psalm 140:12 : S Ps 35:10
  22. Psalm 140:13 : S Ps 138:2
  23. Psalm 140:13 : S Ps 11:7
  24. Psalm 140:13 : Ps 16:11
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 142

Psalm 142[a]

A maskil[b] of David. When he was in the cave.(A) A prayer.

1 I cry aloud(B) to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.(C)
2 I pour out before him my complaint;(D)
before him I tell my trouble.(E)

3 When my spirit grows faint(F) within me,
it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
people have hidden a snare for me.
4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;(G)
no one cares(H) for my life.

5 I cry to you, Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,(I)
my portion(J) in the land of the living.”(K)

6 Listen to my cry,(L)
for I am in desperate need;(M)
rescue me(N) from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong(O) for me.
7 Set me free from my prison,(P)
that I may praise your name.(Q)
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.(R)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 142:1 In Hebrew texts 142:1-7 is numbered 142:2-8.
  2. Psalm 142:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 142:1 : 1Sa 22:1; 24:3; Ps 57 Title
  2. Psalm 142:1 : S 1Ki 8:52; Ps 3:4
  3. Psalm 142:1 : Ps 30:8
  4. Psalm 142:2 : Ps 64:1
  5. Psalm 142:2 : S Ps 50:15
  6. Psalm 142:3 : Ps 6:2; 77:3; 84:2; 88:4; 143:4, 7; Jer 8:18; La 1:22
  7. Psalm 142:4 : Jer 25:35
  8. Psalm 142:4 : Jer 30:17
  9. Psalm 142:5 : S Ps 46:1
  10. Psalm 142:5 : S Dt 32:9; Ps 16:5
  11. Psalm 142:5 : S Job 28:13; Ps 27:13
  12. Psalm 142:6 : S Ps 17:1
  13. Psalm 142:6 : S Ps 79:8
  14. Psalm 142:6 : S Ps 25:20
  15. Psalm 142:6 : Jer 31:11
  16. Psalm 142:7 : S Ps 66:11
  17. Psalm 142:7 : Ps 7:17; 9:2
  18. Psalm 142:7 : S 2Ch 6:41
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 141

Psalm 141

A psalm of David.

1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly(A) to me;
hear me(B) when I call to you.
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;(C)
may the lifting up of my hands(D) be like the evening sacrifice.(E)

3 Set a guard over my mouth,(F) Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.(G)
4 Do not let my heart(H) be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds(I)
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat their delicacies.(J)

5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me(K)—that is oil on my head.(L)
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

6 Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,(M)
and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
7 They will say, “As one plows(N) and breaks up the earth,(O)
so our bones have been scattered at the mouth(P) of the grave.”

8 But my eyes are fixed(Q) on you, Sovereign Lord;
in you I take refuge(R)—do not give me over to death.
9 Keep me safe(S) from the traps set by evildoers,(T)
from the snares(U) they have laid for me.
10 Let the wicked fall(V) into their own nets,
while I pass by in safety.(W)

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 141:1 : S Ps 22:19
  2. Psalm 141:1 : S Ps 4:1; 5:1-2; 27:7; 143:1
  3. Psalm 141:2 : S Lk 1:9; Rev 5:8; 8:3
  4. Psalm 141:2 : S Ps 28:2; 63:4; 1Ti 2:8
  5. Psalm 141:2 : S Ex 29:39, 41; 30:8
  6. Psalm 141:3 : S Ps 34:13; Jas 1:26; 3:8
  7. Psalm 141:3 : S Ps 12:2
  8. Psalm 141:4 : S Jos 24:23
  9. Psalm 141:4 : S Ps 106:29
  10. Psalm 141:4 : Pr 23:1-3
  11. Psalm 141:5 : Pr 9:8; 19:25; 25:12; Ecc 7:5
  12. Psalm 141:5 : S Ex 29:7; Ps 23:5
  13. Psalm 141:6 : S 2Ch 25:12
  14. Psalm 141:7 : Ps 129:3
  15. Psalm 141:7 : Nu 16:32-33
  16. Psalm 141:7 : S Nu 16:30
  17. Psalm 141:8 : Ps 123:2
  18. Psalm 141:8 : Ps 2:12; 11:1
  19. Psalm 141:9 : Ps 140:4
  20. Psalm 141:9 : S Ps 64:5
  21. Psalm 141:9 : S Ps 38:12
  22. Psalm 141:10 : Ps 7:15; 35:8; 57:6
  23. Psalm 141:10 : Ps 124:7
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 143

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

1 Lord, hear my prayer,(A)
listen to my cry for mercy;(B)
in your faithfulness(C) and righteousness(D)
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous(E) before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness(F)
like those long dead.(G)
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.(H)
5 I remember(I) the days of long ago;
I meditate(J) on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands(K) to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land.[a]

7 Answer me quickly,(L) Lord;
my spirit fails.(M)
Do not hide your face(N) from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,(O)
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way(P) I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.(Q)
9 Rescue me(R) from my enemies,(S) Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me(T) to do your will,
for you are my God;(U)
may your good Spirit
lead(V) me on level ground.(W)

11 For your name’s sake,(X) Lord, preserve my life;(Y)
in your righteousness,(Z) bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;(AA)
destroy all my foes,(AB)
for I am your servant.(AC)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 143:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 143:1 : S Ps 141:1
  2. Psalm 143:1 : S Ps 28:2; 130:2
  3. Psalm 143:1 : S Ex 34:6; Ps 89:1-2
  4. Psalm 143:1 : Ps 71:2
  5. Psalm 143:2 : S Ps 14:3; Ro 3:10
  6. Psalm 143:3 : S Ps 107:10
  7. Psalm 143:3 : La 3:6
  8. Psalm 143:4 : Ps 30:7
  9. Psalm 143:5 : Ps 77:6
  10. Psalm 143:5 : S Ge 24:63
  11. Psalm 143:6 : S Ex 9:29; S Job 11:13
  12. Psalm 143:7 : S Ps 69:17
  13. Psalm 143:7 : S Ps 142:3
  14. Psalm 143:7 : S Ps 22:24; 27:9; 30:7
  15. Psalm 143:8 : Ps 6:4; 90:14
  16. Psalm 143:8 : S Ex 33:13; S Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 32:8
  17. Psalm 143:8 : Ps 25:1-2; S 86:4
  18. Psalm 143:9 : S Ps 140:1
  19. Psalm 143:9 : S Ps 18:17; 31:15
  20. Psalm 143:10 : S Ps 119:12
  21. Psalm 143:10 : Ps 31:14
  22. Psalm 143:10 : S Ne 9:20; Ps 25:4-5
  23. Psalm 143:10 : Ps 26:12
  24. Psalm 143:11 : Ps 25:11
  25. Psalm 143:11 : S Ps 41:2
  26. Psalm 143:11 : Ps 31:1; 71:2
  27. Psalm 143:12 : Ps 8:2
  28. Psalm 143:12 : Ps 54:5
  29. Psalm 143:12 : S Ps 116:16
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Numbers 24:1-13

24 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel,(A) he did not resort to divination(B) as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness.(C) 2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him(D) 3 and he spoke his message:

“The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,
the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,(E)
4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,(F)
who sees a vision from the Almighty,[a](G)
who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

5 “How beautiful are your tents,(H) Jacob,
your dwelling places, Israel!

6 “Like valleys they spread out,
like gardens beside a river,(I)
like aloes(J) planted by the Lord,
like cedars beside the waters.(K)
7 Water will flow from their buckets;
their seed will have abundant water.

“Their king will be greater than Agag;(L)
their kingdom will be exalted.(M)

8 “God brought them out of Egypt;
they have the strength of a wild ox.
They devour hostile nations
and break their bones in pieces;(N)
with their arrows they pierce them.(O)
9 Like a lion they crouch and lie down,
like a lioness(P)—who dares to rouse them?

“May those who bless you be blessed(Q)
and those who curse you be cursed!”(R)

10 Then Balak’s anger burned(S) against Balaam. He struck his hands together(T) and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies,(U) but you have blessed them(V) these three times.(W) 11 Now leave at once and go home!(X) I said I would reward you handsomely,(Y) but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded.”

12 Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,(Z) 13 ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord(AA)—and I must say only what the Lord says’?(AB)

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 24:4 Hebrew Shaddai; also in verse 16

Cross references:

  1. Numbers 24:1 : S Nu 23:20
  2. Numbers 24:1 : S Nu 23:23
  3. Numbers 24:1 : Nu 23:28
  4. Numbers 24:2 : S Nu 11:25, 26
  5. Numbers 24:3 : ver 15
  6. Numbers 24:4 : S Nu 22:9
  7. Numbers 24:4 : S Ge 15:1
  8. Numbers 24:5 : Jer 4:20; 30:18; Mal 2:12
  9. Numbers 24:6 : S Ge 2:10
  10. Numbers 24:6 : Ps 45:8; SS 4:14
  11. Numbers 24:6 : Job 29:19; Ps 1:3; 104:16; Eze 31:5
  12. Numbers 24:7 : S Ex 17:8-16
  13. Numbers 24:7 : Dt 28:1; 2Sa 5:12; 1Ch 14:2; Ps 89:27; 145:11-13
  14. Numbers 24:8 : S Ex 15:6; Jer 50: 17
  15. Numbers 24:8 : 2Sa 18:14; Ps 45:5
  16. Numbers 24:9 : S Nu 23:24
  17. Numbers 24:9 : S Ge 12:2
  18. Numbers 24:9 : S Ge 12:3
  19. Numbers 24:10 : S Ex 4:14
  20. Numbers 24:10 : Job 27:23; 34:37; La 2:15; Eze 21:14; 22:13; 25:6
  21. Numbers 24:10 : S Nu 22:6
  22. Numbers 24:10 : S Nu 23:11; S Dt 23:5
  23. Numbers 24:10 : ver 3-9; Nu 23:7-10, 18-24
  24. Numbers 24:11 : ver 14, 25
  25. Numbers 24:11 : S Nu 22:17
  26. Numbers 24:12 : Nu 22:18
  27. Numbers 24:13 : S Nu 22:18
  28. Numbers 24:13 : S Nu 22:20
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Romans 8:12-17

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.(A) 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;(B) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,(C) you will live.(D)

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God(E) are the children of God.(F) 15 The Spirit(G) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;(H) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”(I) 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit(J) that we are God’s children.(K) 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs(L)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings(M) in order that we may also share in his glory.(N)

Footnotes:

  1. Romans 8:15 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
  2. Romans 8:15 Aramaic for father

Cross references:

  1. Romans 8:12 : ver 4; S Gal 5:24
  2. Romans 8:13 : S Ro 6:23
  3. Romans 8:13 : S Ro 6:2
  4. Romans 8:13 : ver 6; Gal 6:8
  5. Romans 8:14 : S Gal 5:18
  6. Romans 8:14 : ver 19; Hos 1:10; Mal 3:17; Mt 5:9; S Jn 1:12; Gal 3:26; 4:5; Eph 1:5; Rev 21:7
  7. Romans 8:15 : S Jn 20:22
  8. Romans 8:15 : S 2Ti 1:7
  9. Romans 8:15 : Mk 14:36; Gal 4:5, 6
  10. Romans 8:16 : 2Co 1:22; Eph 1:13
  11. Romans 8:16 : S ver 14; S Jn 1:12
  12. Romans 8:17 : S Ac 20:32; Gal 3:29; 4:7; Eph 3:6; Tit 3:7
  13. Romans 8:17 : S 2Co 1:5
  14. Romans 8:17 : 2Ti 2:12; 1Pe 4:13
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Matthew 22:15-22

Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar(A)

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians.(B) “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a](C) to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s,(D) and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.(E)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 22:17 A special tax levied on subject peoples, not on Roman citizens

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 22:15 : 22:15-22pp — Mk 12:13-17; Lk 20:20-26
  2. Matthew 22:16 : Mk 3:6
  3. Matthew 22:17 : Mt 17:25
  4. Matthew 22:21 : Ro 13:7
  5. Matthew 22:22 : Mk 12:12
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.