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 Thu, Mar 28

Psalm 95

Psalm 95

Come,(A) let us sing for joy(B) to the Lord;
let us shout aloud(C) to the Rock(D) of our salvation.
Let us come before him(E) with thanksgiving(F)
and extol him with music(G) and song.

For the Lord is the great God,(H)
the great King(I) above all gods.(J)
In his hand are the depths of the earth,(K)
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.(L)

Come, let us bow down(M) in worship,(N)
let us kneel(O) before the Lord our Maker;(P)
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,(Q)
the flock under his care.

Today, if only you would hear his voice,
“Do not harden your hearts(R) as you did at Meribah,[a](S)
as you did that day at Massah[b] in the wilderness,(T)
where your ancestors tested(U) me;
they tried me, though they had seen what I did.
10 For forty years(V) I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray,(W)
and they have not known my ways.’(X)
11 So I declared on oath(Y) in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”(Z)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 95:8 Meribah means quarreling.
  2. Psalm 95:8 Massah means testing.
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 22

Psalm 22[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?(A)
Why are you so far(B) from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?(C)
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,(D)
by night,(E) but I find no rest.[b]

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;(F)
you are the one Israel praises.[c](G)
In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.(H)
To you they cried out(I) and were saved;
in you they trusted(J) and were not put to shame.(K)

But I am a worm(L) and not a man,
scorned by everyone,(M) despised(N) by the people.
All who see me mock me;(O)
they hurl insults,(P) shaking their heads.(Q)
“He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
“let the Lord rescue him.(R)
Let him deliver him,(S)
since he delights(T) in him.”

Yet you brought me out of the womb;(U)
you made me trust(V) in you, even at my mother’s breast.
10 From birth(W) I was cast on you;
from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

11 Do not be far from me,(X)
for trouble is near(Y)
and there is no one to help.(Z)

12 Many bulls(AA) surround me;(AB)
strong bulls of Bashan(AC) encircle me.
13 Roaring lions(AD) that tear their prey(AE)
open their mouths wide(AF) against me.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.(AG)
My heart has turned to wax;(AH)
it has melted(AI) within me.
15 My mouth[d] is dried up like a potsherd,(AJ)
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;(AK)
you lay me in the dust(AL) of death.

16 Dogs(AM) surround me,
a pack of villains encircles me;
they pierce[e](AN) my hands and my feet.
17 All my bones are on display;
people stare(AO) and gloat over me.(AP)
18 They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots(AQ) for my garment.(AR)

19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me.(AS)
You are my strength;(AT) come quickly(AU) to help me.(AV)
20 Deliver me from the sword,(AW)
my precious life(AX) from the power of the dogs.(AY)
21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;(AZ)
save me from the horns of the wild oxen.(BA)

22 I will declare your name to my people;
in the assembly(BB) I will praise you.(BC)
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!(BD)
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!(BE)
Revere him,(BF) all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not despised(BG) or scorned
the suffering of the afflicted one;(BH)
he has not hidden his face(BI) from him
but has listened to his cry for help.(BJ)

25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;(BK)
before those who fear you[f] I will fulfill my vows.(BL)
26 The poor will eat(BM) and be satisfied;
those who seek the Lord will praise him—(BN)
may your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth(BO)
will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,(BP)
28 for dominion belongs to the Lord(BQ)
and he rules over the nations.

29 All the rich(BR) of the earth will feast and worship;(BS)
all who go down to the dust(BT) will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.(BU)
30 Posterity(BV) will serve him;
future generations(BW) will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness,(BX)
declaring to a people yet unborn:(BY)
He has done it!(BZ)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 22:1 In Hebrew texts 22:1-31 is numbered 22:2-32.
  2. Psalm 22:2 Or night, and am not silent
  3. Psalm 22:3 Or Yet you are holy, / enthroned on the praises of Israel
  4. Psalm 22:15 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text strength
  5. Psalm 22:16 Dead Sea Scrolls and some manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Septuagint and Syriac; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text me, / like a lion
  6. Psalm 22:25 Hebrew him

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 22:1 : S Job 6:15; S Ps 9:10; Mt 27:46*; Mk 15:34*
  2. Psalm 22:1 : Ps 10:1
  3. Psalm 22:1 : S Job 3:24
  4. Psalm 22:2 : S Job 19:7
  5. Psalm 22:2 : Ps 42:3; 88:1
  6. Psalm 22:3 : S 2Ki 19:22; Ps 71:22; S Mk 1:24
  7. Psalm 22:3 : S Ex 15:2; Ps 148:14
  8. Psalm 22:4 : Ps 78:53; 107:6
  9. Psalm 22:5 : S 1Ch 5:20
  10. Psalm 22:5 : Isa 8:17; 25:9; 26:3; 30:18
  11. Psalm 22:5 : S 2Ch 13:18; Ps 25:3; 31:17; 71:1; Isa 49:23; Ro 9:33
  12. Psalm 22:6 : S Job 4:19
  13. Psalm 22:6 : S 2Sa 12:14; Ps 31:11; 64:8; 69:19; 109:25
  14. Psalm 22:6 : Ps 119:141; Isa 49:7; 53:3; 60:14; Mal 2:9; Mt 16:21
  15. Psalm 22:7 : S Job 17:2; Ps 35:16; 69:12; 74:18; Mt 27:41; Mk 15:31; Lk 23:36
  16. Psalm 22:7 : Mt 27:39, 44; Mk 15:32; Lk 23:39
  17. Psalm 22:7 : Mk 15:29
  18. Psalm 22:8 : Ps 91:14
  19. Psalm 22:8 : S Ps 3:2
  20. Psalm 22:8 : S 2Sa 22:20; S Mt 3:17; 27:43
  21. Psalm 22:9 : Job 10:18; Ps 71:6
  22. Psalm 22:9 : Ps 78:7; Na 1:7
  23. Psalm 22:10 : Ps 71:6; Isa 46:3; 49:1
  24. Psalm 22:11 : ver 19; S Ps 10:1
  25. Psalm 22:11 : S Ps 10:14
  26. Psalm 22:11 : S 2Ki 14:26; S Isa 41:28
  27. Psalm 22:12 : Ps 68:30
  28. Psalm 22:12 : Ps 17:9; 27:6; 49:5; 109:3; 140:9
  29. Psalm 22:12 : Dt 32:14; Isa 2:13; Eze 27:6; 39:18; Am 4:1
  30. Psalm 22:13 : ver 21; Eze 22:25; Zep 3:3
  31. Psalm 22:13 : S Ge 49:9
  32. Psalm 22:13 : La 3:46
  33. Psalm 22:14 : S Ps 6:2
  34. Psalm 22:14 : Job 23:16; Ps 68:2; 97:5; Mic 1:4
  35. Psalm 22:14 : Jos 7:5; Ps 107:26; Da 5:6
  36. Psalm 22:15 : Isa 45:9
  37. Psalm 22:15 : Ps 137:6; La 4:4; Eze 3:26; Jn 19:28
  38. Psalm 22:15 : S Job 7:21; Ps 104:29
  39. Psalm 22:16 : Php 3:2
  40. Psalm 22:16 : Isa 51:9; 53:5; Zec 12:10; Jn 20:25
  41. Psalm 22:17 : Lk 23:35
  42. Psalm 22:17 : Ps 25:2; 30:1; 35:19; 38:16; La 2:17; Mic 7:8
  43. Psalm 22:18 : S Lev 16:8; Mt 27:35*; Mk 15:24; Lk 23:34; Jn 19:24*
  44. Psalm 22:18 : Mk 9:12
  45. Psalm 22:19 : S ver 11
  46. Psalm 22:19 : S Ps 18:1
  47. Psalm 22:19 : Ps 38:22; 70:5; 141:1
  48. Psalm 22:19 : Ps 40:13
  49. Psalm 22:20 : S Job 5:20; Ps 37:14
  50. Psalm 22:20 : Ps 35:17
  51. Psalm 22:20 : Php 3:2
  52. Psalm 22:21 : S ver 13; S Job 4:10
  53. Psalm 22:21 : ver 12; S Nu 23:22
  54. Psalm 22:22 : Ps 26:12; 40:9, 10; 68:26
  55. Psalm 22:22 : Ps 35:18; Heb 2:12*
  56. Psalm 22:23 : Ps 33:2; 66:8; 86:12; 103:1; 106:1; 113:1; 117:1; 135:19
  57. Psalm 22:23 : Ps 50:15; Isa 24:15; 25:3; 49:23; 60:9; Jer 3:17
  58. Psalm 22:23 : S Dt 14:23; Ps 33:8
  59. Psalm 22:24 : Ps 102:17
  60. Psalm 22:24 : S Ps 9:12
  61. Psalm 22:24 : Ps 13:1; 27:9; 69:17; 102:2; 143:7
  62. Psalm 22:24 : S Job 24:12; S 36:5; Heb 5:7
  63. Psalm 22:25 : Ps 26:12; 35:18; 40:9; 82:1
  64. Psalm 22:25 : S Nu 30:2
  65. Psalm 22:26 : Ps 107:9
  66. Psalm 22:26 : Ps 40:16
  67. Psalm 22:27 : S Ps 2:8
  68. Psalm 22:27 : Ps 86:9; 102:22; Da 7:27; Mic 4:1
  69. Psalm 22:28 : Ps 47:7-8; Zec 14:9
  70. Psalm 22:29 : Ps 45:12
  71. Psalm 22:29 : Ps 95:6; 96:9; 99:5; Isa 27:13; 49:7; 66:23; Zec 14:16
  72. Psalm 22:29 : Isa 26:19
  73. Psalm 22:29 : Ps 89:48
  74. Psalm 22:30 : Isa 53:10; 54:3; 61:9; 66:22
  75. Psalm 22:30 : Ps 102:18
  76. Psalm 22:31 : S Ps 5:8; 40:9
  77. Psalm 22:31 : Ps 71:18; 78:6; 102:18
  78. Psalm 22:31 : Lk 18:31; 24:44
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 40

Psalm 40[a](A)

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

I waited patiently(B) for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.(C)
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,(D)
out of the mud(E) and mire;(F)
he set my feet(G) on a rock(H)
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song(I) in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord(J)
and put their trust(K) in him.

Blessed is the one(L)
who trusts in the Lord,(M)
who does not look to the proud,(N)
to those who turn aside to false gods.[b](O)
Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders(P) you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare(Q) with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many(R) to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—(S)
but my ears you have opened[c](T)
burnt offerings(U) and sin offerings[d] you did not require.
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.[e](V)
I desire to do your will,(W) my God;(X)
your law is within my heart.”(Y)

I proclaim your saving acts(Z) in the great assembly;(AA)
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.(AB)
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness(AC) and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.(AD)

11 Do not withhold your mercy(AE) from me, Lord;
may your love(AF) and faithfulness(AG) always protect(AH) me.
12 For troubles(AI) without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.(AJ)
They are more than the hairs of my head,(AK)
and my heart fails(AL) within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.(AM)

14 May all who want to take my life(AN)
be put to shame and confusion;(AO)
may all who desire my ruin(AP)
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”(AQ)
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you(AR)
rejoice and be glad(AS) in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”(AT)

17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;(AU)
may the Lord think(AV) of me.
You are my help(AW) and my deliverer;(AX)
you are my God, do not delay.(AY)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 40:1 In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18.
  2. Psalm 40:4 Or to lies
  3. Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts but a body you have prepared for me
  4. Psalm 40:6 Or purification offerings
  5. Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 40:1 : 40:13-17pp — Ps 70:1-5
  2. Psalm 40:1 : S Ps 37:7
  3. Psalm 40:1 : Ps 6:9; S 31:22; 34:15; 116:1; 145:19
  4. Psalm 40:2 : S Job 9:31; S Ps 7:15
  5. Psalm 40:2 : S Job 30:19
  6. Psalm 40:2 : Ps 69:14
  7. Psalm 40:2 : Ps 31:8
  8. Psalm 40:2 : Ps 27:5
  9. Psalm 40:3 : S Ps 28:7; S 96:1; Rev 5:9
  10. Psalm 40:3 : Ps 52:6; 64:9
  11. Psalm 40:3 : S Ex 14:31
  12. Psalm 40:4 : Ps 34:8
  13. Psalm 40:4 : Ps 84:12
  14. Psalm 40:4 : Ps 101:5; 138:6; Pr 3:34; 16:5; Isa 65:5; 1Pe 5:5
  15. Psalm 40:4 : S Dt 31:20; S Ps 4:2; S 26:1
  16. Psalm 40:5 : S Dt 4:34; Ps 75:1; 105:5; 136:4
  17. Psalm 40:5 : Ps 139:18
  18. Psalm 40:5 : Ps 71:15; 139:17
  19. Psalm 40:6 : S 1Sa 15:22; Jer 6:20; Am 5:22
  20. Psalm 40:6 : Ex 21:6
  21. Psalm 40:6 : Ps 50:8; 51:16; Isa 1:11; Hos 6:6
  22. Psalm 40:7 : Job 19:23; Jer 36:2; 45:1; Eze 2:9; Zec 5:1
  23. Psalm 40:8 : S Mt 26:39
  24. Psalm 40:8 : Heb 10:5-7*
  25. Psalm 40:8 : S Dt 6:6; S Job 22:22; Ro 7:22
  26. Psalm 40:9 : S Ps 22:31
  27. Psalm 40:9 : S Ps 22:25
  28. Psalm 40:9 : S Jos 22:22
  29. Psalm 40:10 : Ps 89:1
  30. Psalm 40:10 : S Ps 22:22
  31. Psalm 40:11 : Zec 1:12
  32. Psalm 40:11 : Pr 20:28
  33. Psalm 40:11 : S Ps 26:3
  34. Psalm 40:11 : Ps 61:7
  35. Psalm 40:12 : S Ps 25:17
  36. Psalm 40:12 : Ps 38:4; 65:3
  37. Psalm 40:12 : Ps 69:4
  38. Psalm 40:12 : Ps 73:26
  39. Psalm 40:13 : Ps 22:19; 38:22
  40. Psalm 40:14 : S 1Sa 20:1
  41. Psalm 40:14 : S Est 9:2; Ps 35:26
  42. Psalm 40:14 : S Ps 35:4
  43. Psalm 40:15 : S Ps 35:21
  44. Psalm 40:16 : Dt 4:29; 1Ch 28:9; Ps 9:10; 119:2
  45. Psalm 40:16 : Ps 9:2
  46. Psalm 40:16 : Ps 35:27
  47. Psalm 40:17 : Ps 86:1; 109:22
  48. Psalm 40:17 : Ps 144:3
  49. Psalm 40:17 : S Ps 20:2
  50. Psalm 40:17 : S Ps 18:2
  51. Psalm 40:17 : Ps 119:60
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.

Lamentations 3:1-9

[a]I am the man who has seen affliction(A)
by the rod of the Lord’s wrath.(B)
He has driven me away and made me walk
in darkness(C) rather than light;
indeed, he has turned his hand against me(D)
again and again, all day long.

He has made my skin and my flesh grow old(E)
and has broken my bones.(F)
He has besieged me and surrounded me
with bitterness(G) and hardship.(H)
He has made me dwell in darkness
like those long dead.(I)

He has walled me in so I cannot escape;(J)
he has weighed me down with chains.(K)
Even when I call out or cry for help,(L)
he shuts out my prayer.(M)
He has barred(N) my way with blocks of stone;
he has made my paths crooked.(O)

Footnotes:

  1. Lamentations 3:1 This chapter is an acrostic poem; the verses of each stanza begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and the verses within each stanza begin with the same letter.
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.

Lamentations 3:19-33

19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness(A) and the gall.(B)
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast(C) within me.(D)
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love(E) we are not consumed,(F)
for his compassions never fail.(G)
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.(H)
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;(I)
therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;(J)
26 it is good to wait quietly(K)
for the salvation of the Lord.(L)
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.

28 Let him sit alone in silence,(M)
for the Lord has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the dust(N)
there may yet be hope.(O)
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,(P)
and let him be filled with disgrace.(Q)

31 For no one is cast off
by the Lord forever.(R)
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.(S)
33 For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to anyone.(T)

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.

1 Peter 1:10-20

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke(A) of the grace that was to come to you,(B) searched intently and with the greatest care,(C) 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ(D) in them was pointing when he predicted(E) the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you,(F) when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you(G) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.(H) Even angels long to look into these things.

Be Holy

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,(I) set your hope(J) on the grace to be brought to you(K) when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.(L) 14 As obedient(M) children, do not conform(N) to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.(O) 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;(P) 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a](Q)

17 Since you call on a Father(R) who judges each person’s work(S) impartially,(T) live out your time as foreigners(U) here in reverent fear.(V) 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed(W) from the empty way of life(X) handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood(Y) of Christ, a lamb(Z) without blemish or defect.(AA) 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world,(AB) but was revealed in these last times(AC) for your sake.

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Peter 1:16 Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2
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.

John 13:36-38

36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”(A)

Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now,(B) but you will follow later.”(C)

37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!(D)

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.

John 19:38-42

The Burial of Jesus(A)

38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders.(B) With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus,(C) the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.[a] 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen.(D) This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.(E) 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation(F) and since the tomb was nearby,(G) they laid Jesus there.

Footnotes:

  1. John 19:39 Or about 34 kilograms
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.