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 10
Psalm 20-21
Psalm 20[a]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;(A)
may the name of the God of Jacob(B) protect you.(C)
2 May he send you help(D) from the sanctuary(E)
and grant you support(F) from Zion.(G)
3 May he remember(H) all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.[b](I)
4 May he give you the desire of your heart(J)
and make all your plans succeed.(K)
5 May we shout for joy(L) over your victory
and lift up our banners(M) in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.(N)
6 Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.(O)
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.(P)
7 Some trust in chariots(Q) and some in horses,(R)
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.(S)
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,(T)
but we rise up(U) and stand firm.(V)
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
Answer us(W) when we call!
Psalm 21[c]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
2 You have granted him his heart’s desire(Z)
and have not withheld the request of his lips.[d]
3 You came to greet him with rich blessings
and placed a crown of pure gold(AA) on his head.(AB)
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
length of days, for ever and ever.(AC)
5 Through the victories(AD) you gave, his glory is great;
you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.(AE)
6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings
and made him glad with the joy(AF) of your presence.(AG)
7 For the king trusts in the Lord;(AH)
through the unfailing love(AI) of the Most High(AJ)
he will not be shaken.(AK)
8 Your hand will lay hold(AL) on all your enemies;
your right hand will seize your foes.
9 When you appear for battle,
you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
and his fire will consume them.(AM)
10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth,
their posterity from mankind.(AN)
11 Though they plot evil(AO) against you
and devise wicked schemes,(AP) they cannot succeed.
12 You will make them turn their backs(AQ)
when you aim at them with drawn bow.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 20:1 In Hebrew texts 20:1-9 is numbered 20:2-10.
- Psalm 20:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
- Psalm 21:1 In Hebrew texts 21:1-13 is numbered 21:2-14.
- Psalm 21:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
Cross references:
- Psalm 20:1 : Ps 4:1
- Psalm 20:1 : Ex 3:6; Ps 46:7, 11
- Psalm 20:1 : Ps 59:1; 69:29; 91:14
- Psalm 20:2 : Ps 30:10; 33:20; 37:40; 40:17; 54:4; 118:7
- Psalm 20:2 : S Nu 3:28
- Psalm 20:2 : S Ps 18:18
- Psalm 20:2 : Ps 2:6; 128:5; 134:3; 135:21
- Psalm 20:3 : Ac 10:4
- Psalm 20:3 : S Dt 33:11
- Psalm 20:4 : Ps 21:2; 37:4; 145:16, 19; Isa 26:8; Eze 24:25; Ro 10:1
- Psalm 20:4 : Ps 140:8; Pr 16:3; Da 11:17
- Psalm 20:5 : S Job 3:7
- Psalm 20:5 : S Nu 1:52; Ps 60:4; Isa 5:26; 11:10, 12; 13:2; 30:17; 49:22; 62:10; Jer 50:2; 51:12, 27
- Psalm 20:5 : 1Sa 1:17
- Psalm 20:6 : S 2Sa 23:1; Ps 28:8
- Psalm 20:6 : S Job 40:14; Hab 3:13
- Psalm 20:7 : S 2Ki 19:23
- Psalm 20:7 : S Dt 17:16; Ps 33:17; 147:10; Pr 21:31; Isa 31:1; 36:8, 9
- Psalm 20:7 : S 2Ch 32:8
- Psalm 20:8 : Ps 27:2; Isa 40:30; Jer 46:6; 50:32
- Psalm 20:8 : Mic 7:8
- Psalm 20:8 : S Job 11:15; Ps 37:23; Pr 10:25; Isa 7:9
- Psalm 20:9 : Ps 17:6
- Psalm 21:1 : S 1Sa 2:10
- Psalm 21:1 : S 2Sa 22:51
- Psalm 21:2 : S Ps 20:4
- Psalm 21:3 : S 2Sa 12:30; Rev 14:14
- Psalm 21:3 : Zec 6:11
- Psalm 21:4 : Ps 10:16; 45:17; 48:14; 133:3
- Psalm 21:5 : ver 1; Ps 18:50; 44:4
- Psalm 21:5 : S Ps 8:5; 45:3; 93:1; 96:6; 104:1
- Psalm 21:6 : Ps 43:4; 126:3
- Psalm 21:6 : S 1Ch 17:27
- Psalm 21:7 : S 2Ki 18:5
- Psalm 21:7 : Ps 6:4
- Psalm 21:7 : Ge 14:18
- Psalm 21:7 : S Ps 15:5; S 55:22
- Psalm 21:8 : Isa 10:10
- Psalm 21:9 : S Dt 32:22; Ps 50:3; Jer 15:14
- Psalm 21:10 : Dt 28:18
- Psalm 21:11 : Ps 2:1
- Psalm 21:11 : Job 10:3; Ps 10:2; 26:10; 37:7
- Psalm 21:12 : S Ex 23:27
- Psalm 21:13 : S Ps 18:46
- Psalm 21:13 : Ps 18:1
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Psalm 110
Psalm 110
Of David. A psalm.
2 The Lord will extend your mighty scepter(D) from Zion,(E) saying,
“Rule(F) in the midst of your enemies!”
3 Your troops will be willing
on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy splendor,(G)
your young men will come to you
like dew from the morning’s womb.[b](H)
4 The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:(I)
“You are a priest forever,(J)
in the order of Melchizedek.(K)”
5 The Lord is at your right hand[c];(L)
he will crush kings(M) on the day of his wrath.(N)
6 He will judge the nations,(O) heaping up the dead(P)
and crushing the rulers(Q) of the whole earth.
7 He will drink from a brook along the way,[d]
and so he will lift his head high.(R)
Footnotes:
- Psalm 110:1 Or Lord
- Psalm 110:3 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
- Psalm 110:5 Or My lord is at your right hand, Lord
- Psalm 110:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.
Cross references:
- Psalm 110:1 : Mt 22:44*; Mk 12:36*; Lk 20:42*; Ac 2:34*
- Psalm 110:1 : S Mk 16:19; Heb 1:13*; 12:2
- Psalm 110:1 : S Jos 10:24; S 1Ki 5:3; 1Co 15:25
- Psalm 110:2 : S Ge 49:10; Ps 45:6; Isa 14:5; Jer 48:17
- Psalm 110:2 : S Ps 2:6
- Psalm 110:2 : Ps 72:8
- Psalm 110:3 : S Ex 15:11
- Psalm 110:3 : Mic 5:7
- Psalm 110:4 : S Nu 23:19
- Psalm 110:4 : Zec 6:13; Heb 5:6*; 7:21*
- Psalm 110:4 : S Ge 14:18; Heb 5:10; 7:15-17*
- Psalm 110:5 : Ps 16:8
- Psalm 110:5 : S Dt 7:24; Ps 2:12; 68:21; 76:12; Isa 60:12; Da 2:44
- Psalm 110:5 : S Ps 2:5; Ro 2:5; Rev 6:17; 11:18
- Psalm 110:6 : S Ps 9:19
- Psalm 110:6 : Isa 5:25; 34:3; 66:24
- Psalm 110:6 : S Ps 18:38
- Psalm 110:7 : Ps 3:3; 27:6
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Psalm 116-117
Psalm 116
1 I love the Lord,(A) for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry(B) for mercy.(C)
2 Because he turned his ear(D) to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death(E) entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name(F) of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!(G)”
5 The Lord is gracious and righteous;(H)
our God is full of compassion.(I)
6 The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low,(J) he saved me.(K)
8 For you, Lord, have delivered me(N) from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the Lord(O)
in the land of the living.(P)
10 I trusted(Q) in the Lord when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;(R)
11 in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”(S)
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness(T) to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name(U) of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows(V) to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight(W) of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.(X)
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;(Y)
I serve you just as my mother did;(Z)
you have freed me from my chains.(AA)
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering(AB) to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows(AC) to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts(AD) of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.(AE)
Praise the Lord.[a]
Psalm 117
1 Praise the Lord,(AF) all you nations;(AG)
extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love(AH) toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord(AI) endures forever.
Praise the Lord.[b]
Footnotes:
- Psalm 116:19 Hebrew Hallelu Yah
- Psalm 117:2 Hebrew Hallelu Yah
Cross references:
- Psalm 116:1 : Ps 18:1
- Psalm 116:1 : S Ps 31:22; S 40:1
- Psalm 116:1 : S Ps 6:9; S 28:2
- Psalm 116:2 : S Ps 5:1
- Psalm 116:3 : S 2Sa 22:6; Ps 18:4-5
- Psalm 116:4 : Ps 80:18; 118:5
- Psalm 116:4 : S Ps 80:2
- Psalm 116:5 : S Ex 9:27; S 2Ch 12:6; S Ezr 9:15
- Psalm 116:5 : S Ex 22:27; S Ps 86:15
- Psalm 116:6 : S Ps 79:8
- Psalm 116:6 : Ps 18:3; 22:5; 107:13
- Psalm 116:7 : Ps 46:10; 62:1; 131:2; Mt 11:29
- Psalm 116:7 : Ps 13:6; 106:1; 142:7
- Psalm 116:8 : S Ps 86:13
- Psalm 116:9 : S Ge 5:22; Ps 56:13; 89:15
- Psalm 116:9 : S Job 28:13; Ps 27:13; Isa 38:11; Jer 11:19
- Psalm 116:10 : 2Co 4:13*
- Psalm 116:10 : Ps 9:18; 72:2; S 107:17; 119:67, 71, 75
- Psalm 116:11 : Jer 9:3-5; Hos 7:13; Mic 6:12; Ro 3:4
- Psalm 116:12 : Ps 103:2; 106:1
- Psalm 116:13 : S Ps 105:1
- Psalm 116:14 : S Nu 30:2; S Ps 66:13
- Psalm 116:15 : Ps 72:14
- Psalm 116:15 : S Nu 23:10
- Psalm 116:16 : Ps 119:125; 143:12
- Psalm 116:16 : S Ps 86:16
- Psalm 116:16 : S Job 12:18
- Psalm 116:17 : S Lev 7:12; S Ezr 1:4
- Psalm 116:18 : ver 14; S Lev 22:18
- Psalm 116:19 : Ps 92:13; 96:8; 100:4; 135:2
- Psalm 116:19 : Ps 102:21
- Psalm 117:1 : S Ps 22:23; S 103:2
- Psalm 117:1 : Ro 15:11*
- Psalm 117:2 : S Ps 17:7; S 103:11
- Psalm 117:2 : Ps 119:90; 146:6
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Deuteronomy 34
The Death of Moses
34 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo(A) from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah,(B) across from Jericho.(C) There the Lord showed(D) him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan,(E) 2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea,(F) 3 the Negev(G) and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms,(H) as far as Zoar.(I) 4 Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath(J) to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob(K) when I said, ‘I will give it(L) to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross(M) over into it.”
5 And Moses the servant of the Lord(N) died(O) there in Moab, as the Lord had said. 6 He buried him[a] in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor,(P) but to this day no one knows where his grave is.(Q) 7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old(R) when he died, yet his eyes were not weak(S) nor his strength gone.(T) 8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab(U) thirty days,(V) until the time of weeping and mourning(W) was over.
9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit[b] of wisdom(X) because Moses had laid his hands on him.(Y) So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.
10 Since then, no prophet(Z) has risen in Israel like Moses,(AA) whom the Lord knew face to face,(AB) 11 who did all those signs and wonders(AC) the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials(AD) and to his whole land. 12 For no one has(AE) ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds(AF) that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Footnotes:
- Deuteronomy 34:6 Or He was buried
- Deuteronomy 34:9 Or Spirit
Cross references:
- Deuteronomy 34:1 : S Nu 32:3
- Deuteronomy 34:1 : S Nu 21:20
- Deuteronomy 34:1 : Dt 32:49
- Deuteronomy 34:1 : Dt 32:52
- Deuteronomy 34:1 : S Ge 14:14
- Deuteronomy 34:2 : S Ex 23:31
- Deuteronomy 34:3 : S Ge 12:9
- Deuteronomy 34:3 : Jdg 1:16; 3:13; 2Ch 28:15
- Deuteronomy 34:3 : S Ge 13:10
- Deuteronomy 34:4 : Ge 28:13
- Deuteronomy 34:4 : Jos 21:43
- Deuteronomy 34:4 : Ge 12:7
- Deuteronomy 34:4 : S Dt 3:23
- Deuteronomy 34:5 : S Nu 12:7
- Deuteronomy 34:5 : S Ge 25:8
- Deuteronomy 34:6 : S Dt 3:29
- Deuteronomy 34:6 : Jude 1:9
- Deuteronomy 34:7 : S Ex 7:7
- Deuteronomy 34:7 : S Ge 27:1
- Deuteronomy 34:7 : S Ge 15:15
- Deuteronomy 34:8 : S Nu 21:11
- Deuteronomy 34:8 : S Ge 37:34; S Dt 1:3
- Deuteronomy 34:8 : 2Sa 11:27
- Deuteronomy 34:9 : S Ge 41:38; S Ex 28:3; Isa 11:2
- Deuteronomy 34:9 : S Dt 31:14; Ac 6:6
- Deuteronomy 34:10 : S Ge 20:7
- Deuteronomy 34:10 : Dt 18:15, 18
- Deuteronomy 34:10 : S Ex 33:11
- Deuteronomy 34:11 : Dt 4:34
- Deuteronomy 34:11 : S Ex 11:3
- Deuteronomy 34:12 : Heb 3:1-6
- Deuteronomy 34:12 : S Dt 4:34
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Romans 10:14-21
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[a](A)
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.(B) For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[b](C) 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,(D) and the message is heard through the word about Christ.(E) 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
“I will make you envious(G) by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”[d](H)
20 And Isaiah boldly says,
21 But concerning Israel he says,
Footnotes:
- Romans 10:15 Isaiah 52:7
- Romans 10:16 Isaiah 53:1
- Romans 10:18 Psalm 19:4
- Romans 10:19 Deut. 32:21
- Romans 10:20 Isaiah 65:1
- Romans 10:21 Isaiah 65:2
Cross references:
- Romans 10:15 : Isa 52:7; Na 1:15
- Romans 10:16 : Heb 4:2
- Romans 10:16 : Isa 53:1; Jn 12:38
- Romans 10:17 : Gal 3:2, 5
- Romans 10:17 : Col 3:16
- Romans 10:18 : Ps 19:4; S Mt 24:14; Ro 1:8; Col 1:6, 23; 1Th 1:8
- Romans 10:19 : Ro 11:11, 14
- Romans 10:19 : Dt 32:21
- Romans 10:20 : Isa 65:1; Ro 9:30
- Romans 10:21 : Isa 65:2; Jer 35:17
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Matthew 24:32-51
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[a] is near, right at the door.(A) 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.(B) 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.(C)
The Day and Hour Unknown(D)(E)
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[b] but only the Father.(F) 37 As it was in the days of Noah,(G) so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,(H) up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.(I) 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.(J) 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.(K)
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.(L) 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming,(M) he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready,(N) because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant,(O) whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.(P) 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.(Q) 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.(R) 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(S)
Footnotes:
- Matthew 24:33 Or he
- Matthew 24:36 Some manuscripts do not have nor the Son.
Cross references:
- Matthew 24:33 : Jas 5:9
- Matthew 24:34 : Mt 16:28; S 23:36
- Matthew 24:35 : S Mt 5:18
- Matthew 24:36 : 24:37-39pp — Lk 17:26, 27
- Matthew 24:36 : 24:45-51pp — Lk 12:42-46
- Matthew 24:36 : Ac 1:7
- Matthew 24:37 : Ge 6:5; 7:6-23
- Matthew 24:38 : Mt 22:30
- Matthew 24:39 : S Lk 17:30
- Matthew 24:40 : Lk 17:34
- Matthew 24:41 : Lk 17:35
- Matthew 24:42 : Mt 25:13; Lk 12:40
- Matthew 24:43 : S Lk 12:39
- Matthew 24:44 : 1Th 5:6
- Matthew 24:45 : Mt 25:21, 23
- Matthew 24:46 : Rev 16:15
- Matthew 24:47 : Mt 25:21, 23
- Matthew 24:49 : Lk 21:34
- Matthew 24:51 : S Mt 8:12
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

