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 5

Psalm 70-71

Psalm 70[a](A)

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

1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.(B)

2 May those who want to take my life(C)
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.(D)
3 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”(E)
turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you(F)
rejoice and be glad(G) in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”(H)

5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;(I)
come quickly to me,(J) O God.
You are my help(K) and my deliverer;(L)
Lord, do not delay.(M)

Psalm 71(N)

1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;(O)
let me never be put to shame.(P)
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear(Q) to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.(R)
4 Deliver(S) me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,(T)
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.(U)

5 For you have been my hope,(V) Sovereign Lord,
my confidence(W) since my youth.
6 From birth(X) I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.(Y)
I will ever praise(Z) you.
7 I have become a sign(AA) to many;
you are my strong refuge.(AB)
8 My mouth(AC) is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor(AD) all day long.

9 Do not cast(AE) me away when I am old;(AF)
do not forsake(AG) me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies(AH) speak against me;
those who wait to kill(AI) me conspire(AJ) together.
11 They say, “God has forsaken(AK) him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue(AL) him.”
12 Do not be far(AM) from me, my God;
come quickly, God, to help(AN) me.
13 May my accusers(AO) perish in shame;(AP)
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.(AQ)

14 As for me, I will always have hope;(AR)
I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell(AS) of your righteous deeds,(AT)
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts,(AU) Sovereign Lord;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught(AV) me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.(AW)
18 Even when I am old and gray,(AX)
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power(AY) to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.(AZ)

19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,(BA)
you who have done great things.(BB)
Who is like you, God?(BC)
20 Though you have made me see troubles,(BD)
many and bitter,
you will restore(BE) my life again;
from the depths of the earth(BF)
you will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my honor(BG)
and comfort(BH) me once more.

22 I will praise you with the harp(BI)
for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,(BJ)
Holy One of Israel.(BK)
23 My lips will shout for joy(BL)
when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered.(BM)
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,(BN)
for those who wanted to harm me(BO)
have been put to shame and confusion.(BP)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 70:1 In Hebrew texts 70:1-5 is numbered 70:2-6.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 70:1 : 70:1-5pp — Ps 40:13-17
  2. Psalm 70:1 : Ps 22:19; 71:12
  3. Psalm 70:2 : Ps 35:4
  4. Psalm 70:2 : Ps 6:10; 35:26; 71:13; 109:29; 129:5
  5. Psalm 70:3 : S Ps 35:21
  6. Psalm 70:4 : Ps 9:10
  7. Psalm 70:4 : Ps 31:6-7; 32:11; 118:24
  8. Psalm 70:4 : Ps 35:27
  9. Psalm 70:5 : Ps 86:1; 109:22
  10. Psalm 70:5 : Ps 141:1
  11. Psalm 70:5 : Ps 30:10; 33:20
  12. Psalm 70:5 : Ps 18:2
  13. Psalm 70:5 : Ps 119:60
  14. Psalm 71:1 : 71:1-3pp — Ps 31:1-4
  15. Psalm 71:1 : S Dt 23:15; Ru 2:12
  16. Psalm 71:1 : S Ps 22:5
  17. Psalm 71:2 : S 2Ki 19:16
  18. Psalm 71:3 : Ps 18:2
  19. Psalm 71:4 : S 2Ki 19:19
  20. Psalm 71:4 : Ps 140:4
  21. Psalm 71:4 : S Ge 48:16
  22. Psalm 71:5 : S Ps 9:18; S 25:5
  23. Psalm 71:5 : S Job 4:6; Jer 17:7
  24. Psalm 71:6 : S Ps 22:10
  25. Psalm 71:6 : S Job 3:16; S Ps 22:9
  26. Psalm 71:6 : Ps 9:1; 34:1; 52:9; 119:164; 145:2
  27. Psalm 71:7 : S Dt 28:46; Isa 8:18; 1Co 4:9
  28. Psalm 71:7 : S 2Sa 22:3; Ps 61:3
  29. Psalm 71:8 : ver 15; Ps 51:15; 63:5
  30. Psalm 71:8 : Ps 96:6; 104:1
  31. Psalm 71:9 : S Ps 51:11
  32. Psalm 71:9 : Ps 92:14; Isa 46:4
  33. Psalm 71:9 : S Dt 4:31; S 31:6
  34. Psalm 71:10 : Ps 3:7
  35. Psalm 71:10 : S Ps 10:8; 59:3; Pr 1:18
  36. Psalm 71:10 : S Ex 1:10; S Ps 31:13; S Mt 12:14
  37. Psalm 71:11 : S Ps 9:10; Isa 40:27; 54:7; La 5:20; Mt 27:46
  38. Psalm 71:11 : S Ps 7:2
  39. Psalm 71:12 : S Ps 38:21
  40. Psalm 71:12 : Ps 22:19; 38:22
  41. Psalm 71:13 : Jer 18:19
  42. Psalm 71:13 : S Job 8:22; Ps 25:3
  43. Psalm 71:13 : S Ps 70:2
  44. Psalm 71:14 : Ps 25:3; 42:5; 130:7; 131:3
  45. Psalm 71:15 : S ver 8; S Ps 66:16
  46. Psalm 71:15 : S Ps 51:14
  47. Psalm 71:16 : Ps 9:1; 77:12; 106:2; 118:15; 145:4
  48. Psalm 71:17 : S Dt 4:5; S Jer 7:13
  49. Psalm 71:17 : S Job 5:9; Ps 26:7; 86:10; 96:3
  50. Psalm 71:18 : Isa 46:4
  51. Psalm 71:18 : S Ex 9:16
  52. Psalm 71:18 : Job 8:8; Ps 22:30, 31; 78:4; 145:4; Joel 1:3
  53. Psalm 71:19 : S Ps 36:5
  54. Psalm 71:19 : Ps 126:2; Lk 1:49
  55. Psalm 71:19 : Ps 35:10; 77:13; 89:8
  56. Psalm 71:20 : Ps 25:17
  57. Psalm 71:20 : Ps 80:3, 19; 85:4; Hos 6:2
  58. Psalm 71:20 : S Ps 63:9
  59. Psalm 71:21 : Ps 18:35
  60. Psalm 71:21 : Ps 23:4; 86:17; Isa 12:1; 40:1-2; 49:13; 54:10
  61. Psalm 71:22 : Ps 33:2
  62. Psalm 71:22 : S Job 21:12; Ps 92:3; 144:9
  63. Psalm 71:22 : S 2Ki 19:22
  64. Psalm 71:23 : Ps 20:5
  65. Psalm 71:23 : S Ex 15:13
  66. Psalm 71:24 : S Ps 35:28
  67. Psalm 71:24 : ver 13
  68. Psalm 71:24 : S Est 9:2
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.

Psalm 74

Psalm 74

A maskil[a] of Asaph.

1 O God, why have you rejected(A) us forever?(B)
Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?(C)
2 Remember the nation you purchased(D) long ago,(E)
the people of your inheritance,(F) whom you redeemed(G)—
Mount Zion,(H) where you dwelt.(I)
3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins,(J)
all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.

4 Your foes roared(K) in the place where you met with us;
they set up their standards(L) as signs.
5 They behaved like men wielding axes
to cut through a thicket of trees.(M)
6 They smashed all the carved(N) paneling
with their axes and hatchets.
7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground;
they defiled(O) the dwelling place(P) of your Name.(Q)
8 They said in their hearts, “We will crush(R) them completely!”
They burned(S) every place where God was worshiped in the land.

9 We are given no signs from God;(T)
no prophets(U) are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.
10 How long(V) will the enemy mock(W) you, God?
Will the foe revile(X) your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?(Y)
Take it from the folds of your garment(Z) and destroy them!

12 But God is my King(AA) from long ago;
he brings salvation(AB) on the earth.

13 It was you who split open the sea(AC) by your power;
you broke the heads of the monster(AD) in the waters.
14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan(AE)
and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.(AF)
15 It was you who opened up springs(AG) and streams;
you dried up(AH) the ever-flowing rivers.
16 The day is yours, and yours also the night;
you established the sun and moon.(AI)
17 It was you who set all the boundaries(AJ) of the earth;
you made both summer and winter.(AK)

18 Remember how the enemy has mocked you, Lord,
how foolish people(AL) have reviled your name.
19 Do not hand over the life of your dove(AM) to wild beasts;
do not forget the lives of your afflicted(AN) people forever.
20 Have regard for your covenant,(AO)
because haunts of violence fill the dark places(AP) of the land.
21 Do not let the oppressed(AQ) retreat in disgrace;
may the poor and needy(AR) praise your name.
22 Rise up,(AS) O God, and defend your cause;
remember how fools(AT) mock you all day long.
23 Do not ignore the clamor(AU) of your adversaries,(AV)
the uproar(AW) of your enemies,(AX) which rises continually.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 74:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 74:1 : S Ps 43:2
  2. Psalm 74:1 : S Ps 44:23
  3. Psalm 74:1 : Ps 79:13; 95:7; 100:3
  4. Psalm 74:2 : S Ex 15:16; S 1Co 6:20
  5. Psalm 74:2 : S Dt 32:7
  6. Psalm 74:2 : S Ex 34:9
  7. Psalm 74:2 : S Ex 15:13; S Isa 48:20
  8. Psalm 74:2 : Ps 2:6
  9. Psalm 74:2 : Ps 43:3; 68:16; Isa 46:13; Joel 3:17, 21; Ob 1:17
  10. Psalm 74:3 : Isa 44:26; 52:9
  11. Psalm 74:4 : La 2:7
  12. Psalm 74:4 : S Nu 2:2; S Jer 4:6
  13. Psalm 74:5 : Jer 46:22
  14. Psalm 74:6 : S 1Ki 6:18
  15. Psalm 74:7 : S Lev 20:3; Ac 21:28
  16. Psalm 74:7 : S Lev 15:31
  17. Psalm 74:7 : Ps 75:1
  18. Psalm 74:8 : Ps 94:5
  19. Psalm 74:8 : 2Ki 25:9; 2Ch 36:19; Jer 21:10; 34:22; 52:13
  20. Psalm 74:9 : S Ex 4:17; S 10:1
  21. Psalm 74:9 : S 1Sa 3:1
  22. Psalm 74:10 : Ps 6:3; 79:5; 80:4
  23. Psalm 74:10 : ver 22
  24. Psalm 74:10 : S Ps 44:16
  25. Psalm 74:11 : S Ex 15:6
  26. Psalm 74:11 : Ne 5:13; Eze 5:3
  27. Psalm 74:12 : Ps 2:6; S 24:7; 68:24
  28. Psalm 74:12 : Ps 27:1
  29. Psalm 74:13 : S Ex 14:21
  30. Psalm 74:13 : Isa 27:1; 51:9; Eze 29:3; 32:2
  31. Psalm 74:14 : S Job 3:8
  32. Psalm 74:14 : Isa 13:21; 23:13; 34:14; Jer 50:39
  33. Psalm 74:15 : S Ex 17:6; S Nu 20:11
  34. Psalm 74:15 : S Ex 14:29; S Jos 2:10
  35. Psalm 74:16 : S Ge 1:16; Ps 136:7-9
  36. Psalm 74:17 : Dt 32:8; Ac 17:26
  37. Psalm 74:17 : S Ge 8:22
  38. Psalm 74:18 : Dt 32:6
  39. Psalm 74:19 : S Ge 8:8; S Isa 59:11
  40. Psalm 74:19 : S Ps 9:18
  41. Psalm 74:20 : S Ge 6:18
  42. Psalm 74:20 : Job 34:22
  43. Psalm 74:21 : Ps 9:9; 10:18; 103:6; Isa 58:10
  44. Psalm 74:21 : S Ps 35:10
  45. Psalm 74:22 : Ps 17:13
  46. Psalm 74:22 : S Ps 53:1
  47. Psalm 74:23 : Isa 31:4
  48. Psalm 74:23 : S Ps 65:7
  49. Psalm 74:23 : S Ps 46:6
  50. Psalm 74:23 : S Nu 25:17
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.

Genesis 42:29-38

29 When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan,(A) they told him all that had happened to them.(B) They said, 30 “The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us(C) and treated us as though we were spying on the land.(D) 31 But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.(E) 32 We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.’(F)

33 “Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go.(G) 34 But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men.(H) Then I will give your brother back to you,(I) and you can trade[a] in the land.(J)’”

35 As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver!(K) When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened.(L) 36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more,(M) and now you want to take Benjamin.(N) Everything is against me!(O)”

37 Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care,(P) and I will bring him back.”(Q)

38 But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead(R) and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him(S) on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave(T) in sorrow.(U)”

Footnotes:

  1. Genesis 42:34 Or move about freely

Cross references:

  1. Genesis 42:29 : S ver 5
  2. Genesis 42:29 : Ge 44:24
  3. Genesis 42:30 : ver 7
  4. Genesis 42:30 : S ver 9
  5. Genesis 42:31 : ver 11
  6. Genesis 42:32 : S ver 13
  7. Genesis 42:33 : S ver 2
  8. Genesis 42:34 : S ver 11
  9. Genesis 42:34 : S ver 24
  10. Genesis 42:34 : Ge 34:10
  11. Genesis 42:35 : S ver 25
  12. Genesis 42:35 : Ge 43:18
  13. Genesis 42:36 : S ver 13
  14. Genesis 42:36 : S ver 24
  15. Genesis 42:36 : Job 3:25; Pr 10:24; Ro 8:31
  16. Genesis 42:37 : S Ge 39:4
  17. Genesis 42:37 : Ge 43:9; 44:32
  18. Genesis 42:38 : Ge 37:33
  19. Genesis 42:38 : ver 4
  20. Genesis 42:38 : S Ge 37:35
  21. Genesis 42:38 : Ge 44:29, 34; 48:7
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.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Sexual Immorality

12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(A) “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.”(B) The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord,(C) and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead,(D) and he will raise us also.(E) 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?(F) Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”[a](G) 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.[b](H)

18 Flee from sexual immorality.(I) All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.(J) 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples(K) of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;(L) 20 you were bought at a price.(M) Therefore honor God with your bodies.(N)

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Corinthians 6:16 Gen. 2:24
  2. 1 Corinthians 6:17 Or in the Spirit

Cross references:

  1. 1 Corinthians 6:12 : 1Co 10:23
  2. 1 Corinthians 6:13 : Col 2:22
  3. 1 Corinthians 6:13 : ver 15, 19; Ro 12:1
  4. 1 Corinthians 6:14 : S Ac 2:24
  5. 1 Corinthians 6:14 : S Ro 6:5; Eph 1:19, 20; 1Th 4:16
  6. 1 Corinthians 6:15 : S Ro 12:5
  7. 1 Corinthians 6:16 : Ge 2:24; Mt 19:5; Eph 5:31
  8. 1 Corinthians 6:17 : Jn 17:21-23; Ro 8:9-11; Gal 2:20
  9. 1 Corinthians 6:18 : ver 9; 1Co 5:1; 2Co 12:21; Gal 5:19; Eph 5:3; 1Th 4:3, 4; Heb 13:4
  10. 1 Corinthians 6:18 : Ro 6:12
  11. 1 Corinthians 6:19 : Jn 2:21
  12. 1 Corinthians 6:19 : Ro 14:7, 8
  13. 1 Corinthians 6:20 : Ps 74:2; S Mt 20:28; Ac 20:28; 1Co 7:23; Rev 5:9; 14:4
  14. 1 Corinthians 6:20 : Php 1:20
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.

Mark 4:21-34

A Lamp on a Stand

21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?(A) 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.(B) 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”(C)

24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.(D) 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”(E)

The Parable of the Growing Seed

26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like.(F) A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”(G)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed(H)

30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like,(I) or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.(J) 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable.(K) But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Cross references:

  1. Mark 4:21 : S Mt 5:15
  2. Mark 4:22 : Jer 16:17; Mt 10:26; Lk 8:17; 12:2
  3. Mark 4:23 : ver 9; S Mt 11:15
  4. Mark 4:24 : S Mt 7:2
  5. Mark 4:25 : S Mt 25:29
  6. Mark 4:26 : S Mt 13:24
  7. Mark 4:29 : Rev 14:15
  8. Mark 4:30 : 4:30-32pp — Mt 13:31, 32; Lk 13:18, 19
  9. Mark 4:30 : S Mt 13:24
  10. Mark 4:33 : Jn 16:12
  11. Mark 4:34 : S Jn 16:25
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.