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 Wed, May 8

Psalm 8

Psalm 8[a]

For the director of music. According to gittith.[b] A psalm of David.

1 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name(A) in all the earth!

You have set your glory(B)
in the heavens.(C)
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold(D) against your enemies,
to silence the foe(E) and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,(F)
the work of your fingers,(G)
the moon and the stars,(H)
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?[c](I)

5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e](J)
and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.(K)
6 You made them rulers(L) over the works of your hands;(M)
you put everything under their[g] feet:(N)
7 all flocks and herds,(O)
and the animals of the wild,(P)
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,(Q)
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!(R)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 8:1 In Hebrew texts 8:1-9 is numbered 8:2-10.
  2. Psalm 8:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  3. Psalm 8:4 Or what is a human being that you are mindful of him, / a son of man that you care for him?
  4. Psalm 8:5 Or him
  5. Psalm 8:5 Or than God
  6. Psalm 8:5 Or him
  7. Psalm 8:6 Or made him ruler . . . ; / . . . his

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 8:1 : S 1Ch 16:10
  2. Psalm 8:1 : S Ex 15:11; Lk 2:9
  3. Psalm 8:1 : Ps 57:5; 108:5; 113:4; 148:13; Hab 3:3
  4. Psalm 8:2 : Mt 21:16*
  5. Psalm 8:2 : Ps 143:12
  6. Psalm 8:3 : S Ge 15:5; S Dt 10:14
  7. Psalm 8:3 : S Ex 8:19; S 1Ch 16:26; S 2Ch 2:12; Ps 102:25
  8. Psalm 8:3 : S Ge 1:16; 1Co 15:41
  9. Psalm 8:4 : S 1Ch 29:14
  10. Psalm 8:5 : S Ge 1:26
  11. Psalm 8:5 : Ps 21:5; 103:4
  12. Psalm 8:6 : S Ge 1:28
  13. Psalm 8:6 : S Job 10:3; Ps 19:1; 102:25; 145:10; Isa 26:12; 29:23; 45:11; Heb 1:10
  14. Psalm 8:6 : S 1Ki 5:3; 1Co 15:25, 27*; Eph 1:22; Heb 2:6-8*
  15. Psalm 8:7 : Ge 13:5; 26:14
  16. Psalm 8:7 : S Ge 2:19
  17. Psalm 8:8 : Ge 1:26
  18. Psalm 8:9 : ver 1
New International Version (NIV)

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Psalm 47

Psalm 47[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 Clap your hands,(A) all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.(B)

2 For the Lord Most High(C) is awesome,(D)
the great King(E) over all the earth.
3 He subdued(F) nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance(G) for us,
the pride of Jacob,(H) whom he loved.[b]

5 God has ascended(I) amid shouts of joy,(J)
the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.(K)
6 Sing praises(L) to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;(M)
sing to him a psalm(N) of praise.

8 God reigns(O) over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.(P)
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings[c] of the earth belong to God;(Q)
he is greatly exalted.(R)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 47:1 In Hebrew texts 47:1-9 is numbered 47:2-10.
  2. Psalm 47:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
  3. Psalm 47:9 Or shields

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 47:1 : S 2Ki 11:12
  2. Psalm 47:1 : S Ps 33:3
  3. Psalm 47:2 : Ge 14:18
  4. Psalm 47:2 : S Dt 7:21
  5. Psalm 47:2 : Ps 2:6; 48:2; 95:3; Mt 5:35
  6. Psalm 47:3 : Ps 18:39, 47; Isa 14:6
  7. Psalm 47:4 : Ps 2:8; 16:6; 78:55; 1Pe 1:4
  8. Psalm 47:4 : Am 6:8; 8:7
  9. Psalm 47:5 : Ps 68:18; Eph 4:8
  10. Psalm 47:5 : S Job 8:21; S Ps 106:5
  11. Psalm 47:5 : S Nu 10:2; S 2Sa 6:15
  12. Psalm 47:6 : S 2Sa 22:50
  13. Psalm 47:7 : Zec 14:9
  14. Psalm 47:7 : 1Ch 16:7; Col 3:16
  15. Psalm 47:8 : S 1Ch 16:31
  16. Psalm 47:8 : S 1Ki 22:19; S Ps 9:4; Rev 4:9
  17. Psalm 47:9 : S Job 25:2
  18. Psalm 47:9 : Ps 46:10; 97:9
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 24

Psalm 24

Of David. A psalm.

1 The earth is the Lord’s,(A) and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;(B)
2 for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.(C)

3 Who may ascend the mountain(D) of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?(E)
4 The one who has clean hands(F) and a pure heart,(G)
who does not trust in an idol(H)
or swear by a false god.[a]

5 They will receive blessing(I) from the Lord
and vindication(J) from God their Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face,(K) God of Jacob.[b][c]

7 Lift up your heads, you gates;(L)
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King(M) of glory(N) may come in.(O)
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,(P)
the Lord mighty in battle.(Q)
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty(R)—
he is the King of glory.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 24:4 Or swear falsely
  2. Psalm 24:6 Two Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac (see also Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts face, Jacob
  3. Psalm 24:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 10.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 24:1 : S Ex 9:29; Job 41:11
  2. Psalm 24:1 : 1Co 10:26*
  3. Psalm 24:2 : S Ge 1:6; Ps 104:3; 2Pe 3:5
  4. Psalm 24:3 : Ps 2:6
  5. Psalm 24:3 : Ps 15:1; 65:4
  6. Psalm 24:4 : S 2Sa 22:21
  7. Psalm 24:4 : Ps 51:10; 73:1; Mt 5:8
  8. Psalm 24:4 : Eze 18:15
  9. Psalm 24:5 : Dt 11:26
  10. Psalm 24:5 : Ps 17:2
  11. Psalm 24:6 : Ps 27:8; 105:4; 119:58; Hos 5:15
  12. Psalm 24:7 : Ps 118:19, 20; Isa 26:2; 60:11, 18; 62:10
  13. Psalm 24:7 : Ps 44:4; 74:12
  14. Psalm 24:7 : Ps 29:3; Ac 7:2; 1Co 2:8
  15. Psalm 24:7 : Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5
  16. Psalm 24:8 : S 1Ch 29:11; Ps 89:13; Jer 50:34; Eph 6:10
  17. Psalm 24:8 : Ex 15:3, 6; Dt 4:34
  18. Psalm 24:10 : S 1Sa 1:11
New International Version (NIV)

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Psalm 96

Psalm 96(A)

1 Sing to the Lord(B) a new song;(C)
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;(D)
proclaim his salvation(E) day after day.
3 Declare his glory(F) among the nations,
his marvelous deeds(G) among all peoples.

4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;(H)
he is to be feared(I) above all gods.(J)
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,(K)
but the Lord made the heavens.(L)
6 Splendor and majesty(M) are before him;
strength and glory(N) are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord,(O) all you families of nations,(P)
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering(Q) and come into his courts.(R)
9 Worship the Lord(S) in the splendor of his[a] holiness;(T)
tremble(U) before him, all the earth.(V)
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.(W)”
The world is firmly established,(X) it cannot be moved;(Y)
he will judge(Z) the peoples with equity.(AA)

11 Let the heavens rejoice,(AB) let the earth be glad;(AC)
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest(AD) sing for joy.(AE)
13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge(AF) the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness(AG)
and the peoples in his faithfulness.(AH)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 96:9 Or Lord with the splendor of

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 96:1 : 96:1-13pp — 1Ch 16:23-33
  2. Psalm 96:1 : Ps 30:4
  3. Psalm 96:1 : Ps 33:3; S 40:3; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isa 42:10; S Rev 5:9
  4. Psalm 96:2 : S Ps 68:4
  5. Psalm 96:2 : Ps 27:1; 71:15
  6. Psalm 96:3 : Ps 8:1
  7. Psalm 96:3 : S Ps 71:17; Rev 15:3
  8. Psalm 96:4 : S Ps 48:1
  9. Psalm 96:4 : S Dt 28:58; S 1Ch 16:25; Ps 89:7
  10. Psalm 96:4 : S Ps 95:3
  11. Psalm 96:5 : S Lev 19:4
  12. Psalm 96:5 : S Ge 1:1; S 2Ch 2:12
  13. Psalm 96:6 : S Ps 21:5
  14. Psalm 96:6 : Ps 29:1; 89:17
  15. Psalm 96:7 : Ps 29:1
  16. Psalm 96:7 : Ps 22:27
  17. Psalm 96:8 : Ps 45:12; S 51:19; 72:10
  18. Psalm 96:8 : Ps 65:4; 84:10; 92:13; 100:4
  19. Psalm 96:9 : Ex 23:25; Jnh 1:9
  20. Psalm 96:9 : S Ps 93:5
  21. Psalm 96:9 : S Ex 15:14; Ps 114:7
  22. Psalm 96:9 : Ps 33:8
  23. Psalm 96:10 : Ps 97:1
  24. Psalm 96:10 : Ps 24:2; 78:69; 119:90
  25. Psalm 96:10 : S Ps 93:1
  26. Psalm 96:10 : Ps 58:11
  27. Psalm 96:10 : Ps 67:4; 98:9
  28. Psalm 96:11 : S Rev 12:12
  29. Psalm 96:11 : Ps 97:1; Isa 49:13
  30. Psalm 96:12 : Isa 44:23; 55:12; Eze 17:24
  31. Psalm 96:12 : Ps 65:13
  32. Psalm 96:13 : Rev 19:11
  33. Psalm 96:13 : S Ps 7:11; Ac 17:31
  34. Psalm 96:13 : Ps 86:11
New International Version (NIV)

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Daniel 7:9-14

9 “As I looked,

“thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days(A) took his seat.(B)
His clothing was as white as snow;(C)
the hair of his head was white like wool.(D)
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels(E) were all ablaze.
10 A river of fire(F) was flowing,
coming out from before him.(G)
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
and the books(H) were opened.

11 “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking.(I) I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.(J) 12 (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a](K) coming(L) with the clouds of heaven.(M) He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority,(N) glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him.(O) His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom(P) is one that will never be destroyed.(Q)

Footnotes:

  1. Daniel 7:13 The Aramaic phrase bar enash means human being. The phrase son of man is retained here because of its use in the New Testament as a title of Jesus, probably based largely on this verse.

Cross references:

  1. Daniel 7:9 : ver 22
  2. Daniel 7:9 : S 1Ki 22:19; 2Ch 18:18; Mt 19:28; Rev 4:2; 20:4
  3. Daniel 7:9 : S Mt 28:3
  4. Daniel 7:9 : Rev 1:14
  5. Daniel 7:9 : S Eze 1:15; 10:6
  6. Daniel 7:10 : Ps 50:3; 97:3; Isa 30:27
  7. Daniel 7:10 : S Dt 33:2; Ps 68:17; Jude 1:14; Rev 5:11
  8. Daniel 7:10 : S Ex 32:32; S Ps 56:8; Rev 20:11-15
  9. Daniel 7:11 : Rev 13:5-6
  10. Daniel 7:11 : Rev 19:20
  11. Daniel 7:13 : S Eze 1:5; S 2:1; Mt 8:20*; Rev 1:13*; 14:14*
  12. Daniel 7:13 : Isa 13:6; Zep 1:14; Mal 3:2; 4:1
  13. Daniel 7:13 : S Dt 33:26; S Rev 1:7
  14. Daniel 7:14 : S Mt 28:18
  15. Daniel 7:14 : Ps 72:11; 102:22
  16. Daniel 7:14 : S Isa 16:5
  17. Daniel 7:14 : S Da 2:44; Heb 12:28; Rev 11:15
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.

Hebrews 2:5-18

Jesus Made Fully Human

5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone(A) has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
a son of man that you care for him?(B)
7 You made them a little[a] lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
8 and put everything under their feet.”[b][c](C)

In putting everything under them,[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.[f] 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor(D) because he suffered death,(E) so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.(F)

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists,(G) should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.(H) 11 Both the one who makes people holy(I) and those who are made holy(J) are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.[g](K) 12 He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”[h](L)

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”[i](M)

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[j](N)

14 Since the children have flesh and blood,(O) he too shared in their humanity(P) so that by his death he might break the power(Q) of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil(R)— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear(S) of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.(T) 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k](U) fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful(V) and faithful high priest(W) in service to God,(X) and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.(Y) 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.(Z)

Footnotes:

  1. Hebrews 2:7 Or them for a little while
  2. Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6
  3. Hebrews 2:8 Or 7 You made him a little lower than the angels;/ you crowned him with glory and honor/ 8 and put everything under his feet.”
  4. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  5. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  6. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  7. Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.
  8. Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
  9. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
  10. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
  11. Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers

Cross references:

  1. Hebrews 2:6 : Heb 4:4
  2. Hebrews 2:6 : Job 7:17; Ps 144:3
  3. Hebrews 2:8 : Ps 8:4-6; S Mt 22:44
  4. Hebrews 2:9 : ver 7; Ac 3:13; S Php 2:9
  5. Hebrews 2:9 : Php 2:7-9
  6. Hebrews 2:9 : 2Co 5:15
  7. Hebrews 2:10 : S Ro 11:36
  8. Hebrews 2:10 : Lk 24:26; Heb 5:8, 9; 7:28
  9. Hebrews 2:11 : Heb 13:12
  10. Hebrews 2:11 : S Eph 5:26
  11. Hebrews 2:11 : S Mt 28:10
  12. Hebrews 2:12 : Ps 22:22; 68:26
  13. Hebrews 2:13 : Isa 8:17
  14. Hebrews 2:13 : Isa 8:18; Jn 10:29
  15. Hebrews 2:14 : 1Co 15:50; Eph 6:12
  16. Hebrews 2:14 : S Jn 1:14
  17. Hebrews 2:14 : Ge 3:15; 1Co 15:54-57; 2Ti 1:10
  18. Hebrews 2:14 : 1Jn 3:8
  19. Hebrews 2:15 : S 2Ti 1:7
  20. Hebrews 2:16 : S Lk 3:8
  21. Hebrews 2:17 : ver 14; S Php 2:7
  22. Hebrews 2:17 : Heb 5:2
  23. Hebrews 2:17 : Heb 3:1; 4:14, 15; 5:5, 10; 7:26, 28; 8:1, 3; 9:11
  24. Hebrews 2:17 : Heb 5:1
  25. Hebrews 2:17 : S Ro 3:25
  26. Hebrews 2:18 : Heb 4:15
New International Version (NIV)

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Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.(A) 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.(B) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,(C) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,(D) 20 and teaching(E) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you(F) always, to the very end of the age.”(G)

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 28:16 : ver 7, 10; Mt 26:32
  2. Matthew 28:18 : Da 7:13, 14; Lk 10:22; Jn 3:35; S 13:13; 17:2; 1Co 15:27; Eph 1:20-22; Php 2:9, 10
  3. Matthew 28:19 : Isa 49:6; Mk 16:15, 16; Lk 24:47; Ac 1:8; 14:21
  4. Matthew 28:19 : Ac 1:8; 2:38; 8:16; Ro 6:3, 4; Gal 3:27; Col 2:12
  5. Matthew 28:20 : Jn 14:26; Ac 2:42
  6. Matthew 28:20 : Dt 31:6; 1Ki 8:57; Hag 1:13; Mt 18:20; Ac 18:10
  7. Matthew 28:20 : Mt 13:39; 24:3
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.