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 Sun, May 24

Psalm 118

Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the Lord,(A) for he is good;(B)
his love endures forever.(C)

2 Let Israel say:(D)
“His love endures forever.”(E)
3 Let the house of Aaron say:(F)
“His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord(G) say:
“His love endures forever.”

5 When hard pressed,(H) I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.(I)
6 The Lord is with me;(J) I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?(K)
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.(L)
I look in triumph on my enemies.(M)

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord(N)
than to trust in humans.(O)
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.(P)
10 All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.(Q)
11 They surrounded me(R) on every side,(S)
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,(T)
but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;(U)
in the name of the Lord I cut them down.(V)
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.(W)
14 The Lord is my strength(X) and my defense[a];
he has become my salvation.(Y)

15 Shouts of joy(Z) and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand(AA) has done mighty things!(AB)
16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die(AC) but live,
and will proclaim(AD) what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has chastened(AE) me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.(AF)
19 Open for me the gates(AG) of the righteous;
I will enter(AH) and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord(AI)
through which the righteous may enter.(AJ)
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;(AK)
you have become my salvation.(AL)

22 The stone(AM) the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;(AN)
23 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous(AO) in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.(AP)

25 Lord, save us!(AQ)
Lord, grant us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes(AR) in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.[b](AS)
27 The Lord is God,(AT)
and he has made his light shine(AU) on us.
With boughs in hand,(AV) join in the festal procession
up[c] to the horns of the altar.(AW)

28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God,(AX) and I will exalt(AY) you.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 118:14 Or song
  2. Psalm 118:26 The Hebrew is plural.
  3. Psalm 118:27 Or Bind the festal sacrifice with ropes / and take it

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 118:1 : S 1Ch 16:8
  2. Psalm 118:1 : S 2Ch 5:13; S 7:3
  3. Psalm 118:1 : S Ezr 3:11
  4. Psalm 118:2 : Ps 115:9
  5. Psalm 118:2 : Ps 106:1; 136:1-26
  6. Psalm 118:3 : Ex 30:30; Ps 115:10
  7. Psalm 118:4 : S Ps 115:11
  8. Psalm 118:5 : Ps 18:6; 31:7; 77:2; 120:1
  9. Psalm 118:5 : ver 21; Ps 34:4; 86:7; 116:1; 138:3
  10. Psalm 118:6 : S Dt 31:6; Heb 13:6*
  11. Psalm 118:6 : S Ps 56:4
  12. Psalm 118:7 : S Dt 33:29
  13. Psalm 118:7 : S Ps 54:7
  14. Psalm 118:8 : Ps 2:12; 5:11; 9:9; 37:3; 40:4; Isa 25:4; 57:13
  15. Psalm 118:8 : 2Ch 32:7-8; S Ps 108:12; S Isa 2:22
  16. Psalm 118:9 : Ps 146:3
  17. Psalm 118:10 : S Ps 37:9
  18. Psalm 118:11 : Ps 88:17
  19. Psalm 118:11 : Ps 3:6
  20. Psalm 118:12 : Dt 1:44
  21. Psalm 118:12 : S Ps 58:9
  22. Psalm 118:12 : Ps 37:9
  23. Psalm 118:13 : ver 7; 2Ch 18:31; Ps 86:17
  24. Psalm 118:14 : S Ex 15:2
  25. Psalm 118:14 : S Ps 62:2
  26. Psalm 118:15 : S Job 8:21; S Ps 106:5
  27. Psalm 118:15 : S Ex 15:6; Ps 89:13; 108:6
  28. Psalm 118:15 : Lk 1:51
  29. Psalm 118:17 : Hab 1:12
  30. Psalm 118:17 : S Dt 32:3; Ps 64:9; 71:16; 73:28
  31. Psalm 118:18 : Jer 31:18; 1Co 11:32; Heb 12:5
  32. Psalm 118:18 : Ps 86:13
  33. Psalm 118:19 : S Ps 24:7
  34. Psalm 118:19 : Ps 100:4
  35. Psalm 118:20 : Ps 122:1-2
  36. Psalm 118:20 : Ps 15:1-2; 24:3-4; Rev 22:14
  37. Psalm 118:21 : S ver 5
  38. Psalm 118:21 : Ps 27:1
  39. Psalm 118:22 : Isa 8:14
  40. Psalm 118:22 : Isa 17:10; 19:13; 28:16; Zec 4:7; 10:4; Mt 21:42; Mk 12:10; Lk 20:17*; S Ac 4:11*; 1Pe 2:7*
  41. Psalm 118:23 : Mt 21:42*; Mk 12:11*
  42. Psalm 118:24 : S Ps 70:4
  43. Psalm 118:25 : S Ps 28:9; 116:4
  44. Psalm 118:26 : S Mt 11:3; 21:9*; 23:39*; Mk 11:9*; Lk 13:35*; 19:38*; Jn 12:13*
  45. Psalm 118:26 : Ps 129:8
  46. Psalm 118:27 : S 1Ki 18:21
  47. Psalm 118:27 : Ps 27:1; Isa 58:10; 60:1, 19, 20; Mal 4:2; 1Pe 2:9
  48. Psalm 118:27 : S Lev 23:40
  49. Psalm 118:27 : Ex 27:2
  50. Psalm 118:28 : S Ge 28:21; S Ps 16:2; 63:1; Isa 25:1
  51. Psalm 118:28 : S Ex 15:2
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 145

Psalm 145[a]

A psalm of praise. Of David.

1 I will exalt you,(A) my God the King;(B)
I will praise your name(C) for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise(D) you
and extol your name(E) for ever and ever.

3 Great(F) is the Lord and most worthy of praise;(G)
his greatness no one can fathom.(H)
4 One generation(I) commends your works to another;
they tell(J) of your mighty acts.(K)
5 They speak of the glorious splendor(L) of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.[b](M)
6 They tell(N) of the power of your awesome works—(O)
and I will proclaim(P) your great deeds.(Q)
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness(R)
and joyfully sing(S) of your righteousness.(T)

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,(U)
slow to anger and rich in love.(V)

9 The Lord is good(W) to all;
he has compassion(X) on all he has made.
10 All your works praise you,(Y) Lord;
your faithful people extol(Z) you.(AA)
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom(AB)
and speak of your might,(AC)
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts(AD)
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.(AE)
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,(AF)
and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy(AG) in all he promises(AH)
and faithful in all he does.[c]
14 The Lord upholds(AI) all who fall
and lifts up all(AJ) who are bowed down.(AK)
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food(AL) at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires(AM) of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous(AN) in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.(AO)
18 The Lord is near(AP) to all who call on him,(AQ)
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires(AR) of those who fear him;(AS)
he hears their cry(AT) and saves them.(AU)
20 The Lord watches over(AV) all who love him,(AW)
but all the wicked he will destroy.(AX)

21 My mouth will speak(AY) in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature(AZ) praise his holy name(BA)
for ever and ever.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 145:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which (including verse 13b) begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
  2. Psalm 145:5 Dead Sea Scrolls and Syriac (see also Septuagint); Masoretic Text On the glorious splendor of your majesty / and on your wonderful works I will meditate
  3. Psalm 145:13 One manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Syriac (see also Septuagint); most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text do not have the last two lines of verse 13.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 145:1 : Ps 30:1; 34:1
  2. Psalm 145:1 : Ps 2:6; 5:2
  3. Psalm 145:1 : S Ps 54:6
  4. Psalm 145:2 : S Ps 71:6
  5. Psalm 145:2 : Ps 34:1; Isa 25:1; 26:8
  6. Psalm 145:3 : S Ps 95:3
  7. Psalm 145:3 : S 2Sa 22:4; Ps 96:4
  8. Psalm 145:3 : S Job 5:9
  9. Psalm 145:4 : Ps 22:30
  10. Psalm 145:4 : S Dt 11:19
  11. Psalm 145:4 : S Ps 71:16
  12. Psalm 145:5 : Ps 96:6; 148:13
  13. Psalm 145:5 : S Ps 75:1
  14. Psalm 145:6 : Ps 78:4
  15. Psalm 145:6 : S Ps 66:3
  16. Psalm 145:6 : S Dt 32:3
  17. Psalm 145:6 : Ps 75:1; 106:22
  18. Psalm 145:7 : S Ex 18:9; S Ps 27:13
  19. Psalm 145:7 : S Ps 5:11; S 101:1
  20. Psalm 145:7 : S Ps 138:5
  21. Psalm 145:8 : S Ps 86:15; 103:8
  22. Psalm 145:8 : S Ps 86:5
  23. Psalm 145:9 : S 1Ch 16:34; S Ps 136:1; Mt 19:17; Mk 10:18
  24. Psalm 145:9 : Ps 103:13-14
  25. Psalm 145:10 : S Ps 8:6; S 103:22; S 139:14
  26. Psalm 145:10 : Ps 30:4; 148:14; 149:9
  27. Psalm 145:10 : Ps 115:17-18
  28. Psalm 145:11 : ver 12-13; S Ex 15:2; Mt 6:33
  29. Psalm 145:11 : Ps 21:13
  30. Psalm 145:12 : S Ps 75:1; 105:1
  31. Psalm 145:12 : ver 11; Ps 103:19; Isa 2:10, 19, 21
  32. Psalm 145:13 : S Ex 15:18; 1Ti 1:17; 2Pe 1:11; Rev 11:15
  33. Psalm 145:13 : S Dt 7:9; S 1Co 1:9
  34. Psalm 145:13 : S Jos 23:14
  35. Psalm 145:14 : S Ps 37:17
  36. Psalm 145:14 : S 1Sa 2:8; Ps 146:8
  37. Psalm 145:14 : S Ps 38:6
  38. Psalm 145:15 : S Ge 1:30; S Job 28:5; S Ps 37:25; S Mt 6:26
  39. Psalm 145:16 : S Ps 90:14; S 104:28
  40. Psalm 145:17 : S Ex 9:27; S Ezr 9:15
  41. Psalm 145:17 : ver 13
  42. Psalm 145:18 : S Nu 23:21; S Ps 46:1; Php 4:5
  43. Psalm 145:18 : Ps 18:6; 80:18
  44. Psalm 145:19 : S Ps 20:4
  45. Psalm 145:19 : S Job 22:28
  46. Psalm 145:19 : S Ps 31:22; S 40:1
  47. Psalm 145:19 : S 1Sa 10:19; Ps 7:10; 34:18
  48. Psalm 145:20 : S Ps 1:6
  49. Psalm 145:20 : Ps 31:23; 91:14; 97:10
  50. Psalm 145:20 : S Ps 94:23
  51. Psalm 145:21 : Ps 71:8
  52. Psalm 145:21 : Ps 65:2; 150:6
  53. Psalm 145:21 : S Ex 3:15; S Ps 30:4; S 99:3
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.

Deuteronomy 16:9-12

The Festival of Weeks(A)

9 Count off seven weeks(B) from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain.(C) 10 Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the Lord your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord your God has given you. 11 And rejoice(D) before the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name(E)—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the Levites(F) in your towns, and the foreigners,(G) the fatherless and the widows living among you.(H) 12 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt,(I) and follow carefully these decrees.

Cross references:

  1. Deuteronomy 16:9 : 16:9-12pp — Lev 23:15-22; Nu 28:26-31
  2. Deuteronomy 16:9 : Ac 2:1
  3. Deuteronomy 16:9 : S Ex 23:16
  4. Deuteronomy 16:11 : Dt 12:7
  5. Deuteronomy 16:11 : S Ex 20:24; S 2Sa 7:13
  6. Deuteronomy 16:11 : Dt 12:12
  7. Deuteronomy 16:11 : S Dt 14:29
  8. Deuteronomy 16:11 : Ne 8:10
  9. Deuteronomy 16:12 : S Dt 15:15
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.

Acts 4:18-21

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.(A) 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?(B) You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking(C) about what we have seen and heard.”(D)

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people(E) were praising God(F) for what had happened.

Cross references:

  1. Acts 4:18 : Am 7:13; Ac 5:40
  2. Acts 4:19 : Ac 5:29
  3. Acts 4:20 : Job 32:18; Jer 20:9; Am 3:8
  4. Acts 4:20 : S Lk 24:48
  5. Acts 4:21 : Ac 5:26
  6. Acts 4:21 : S Mt 9:8
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.

Acts 4:23-33

The Believers Pray

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.(A) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(B) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(C)

“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.[a]’[b](D)

27 Indeed Herod(E) and Pontius Pilate(F) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(G) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(H) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(I) 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders(J) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(K)

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(L) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(M) and spoke the word of God(N) boldly.(O)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.(P) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(Q) to the resurrection(R) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(S) was so powerfully at work in them all

Footnotes:

  1. Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ
  2. Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2

Cross references:

  1. Acts 4:24 : S Ac 1:14
  2. Acts 4:24 : Ne 9:6; Job 41:11; Isa 37:16
  3. Acts 4:25 : Ac 1:16
  4. Acts 4:26 : Ps 2:1, 2; Da 9:25; Lk 4:18; Ac 10:38; Heb 1:9
  5. Acts 4:27 : S Mt 14:1
  6. Acts 4:27 : S Mt 27:2; Lk 23:12
  7. Acts 4:27 : ver 30; Ac 3:13, 14
  8. Acts 4:28 : Ac 2:23
  9. Acts 4:29 : ver 13, 31; Ps 138:3; Ac 9:27; 13:46; 14:3; 28:31; Eph 6:19; Php 1:14
  10. Acts 4:30 : S Jn 4:48
  11. Acts 4:30 : ver 27
  12. Acts 4:31 : Ac 2:2
  13. Acts 4:31 : S Lk 1:15
  14. Acts 4:31 : S Heb 4:12
  15. Acts 4:31 : S ver 29
  16. Acts 4:32 : Ac 2:44
  17. Acts 4:33 : S Lk 24:48
  18. Acts 4:33 : Ac 1:22
  19. Acts 4:33 : S Ro 3:24
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 4:19-26

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.(A) 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain,(B) but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”(C)

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming(D) when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.(E) 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know;(F) we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.(G) 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come(H) when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit(I) and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit,(J) and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ)(K) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”(L)

Cross references:

  1. John 4:19 : S Mt 21:11
  2. John 4:20 : Dt 11:29; Jos 8:33
  3. John 4:20 : Lk 9:53
  4. John 4:21 : Jn 5:28; 16:2
  5. John 4:21 : Mal 1:11; 1Ti 2:8
  6. John 4:22 : 2Ki 17:28-41
  7. John 4:22 : Isa 2:3; Ro 3:1, 2; 9:4, 5; 15:8, 9
  8. John 4:23 : Jn 5:25; 16:32
  9. John 4:23 : Php 3:3
  10. John 4:24 : Php 3:3
  11. John 4:25 : Mt 1:16; Jn 1:41
  12. John 4:26 : Jn 8:24; 9:35-37
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.