Today's Scripture & Prayer

Daily Bible Reading & Praying with the Church

Scroll Down to
Read Content

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 Sat, Sep 13

Psalm 46

Psalm 46[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

1 God is our refuge(A) and strength,(B)
an ever-present(C) help(D) in trouble.(E)
2 Therefore we will not fear,(F) though the earth give way(G)
and the mountains fall(H) into the heart of the sea,(I)
3 though its waters roar(J) and foam(K)
and the mountains quake(L) with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river(M) whose streams(N) make glad the city of God,(O)
the holy place where the Most High(P) dwells.(Q)
5 God is within her,(R) she will not fall;(S)
God will help(T) her at break of day.
6 Nations(U) are in uproar,(V) kingdoms(W) fall;
he lifts his voice,(X) the earth melts.(Y)

7 The Lord Almighty(Z) is with us;(AA)
the God of Jacob(AB) is our fortress.(AC)

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,(AD)
the desolations(AE) he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars(AF) cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow(AG) and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.(AH)
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;(AI)
I will be exalted(AJ) among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob(AK) is our fortress.(AL)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 46:1 In Hebrew texts 46:1-11 is numbered 46:2-12.
  2. Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  3. Psalm 46:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 11.
  4. Psalm 46:9 Or chariots

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 46:1 : Ps 9:9; 37:39; 61:3; 73:26; 91:2, 9; 142:5; Isa 33:16; Jer 16:19; 17:17; Joel 3:16; Na 1:7
  2. Psalm 46:1 : Ps 18:1
  3. Psalm 46:1 : Ps 34:18; La 3:57
  4. Psalm 46:1 : Ps 18:6; Lk 1:54
  5. Psalm 46:1 : S Dt 4:30; Ps 25:17
  6. Psalm 46:2 : S Ge 4:7; Ps 3:6
  7. Psalm 46:2 : Ps 82:5; Isa 13:13; 24:1, 19, 20; Jer 4:23; Da 11:19; Am 8:14; S Rev 6:14
  8. Psalm 46:2 : ver 6; Ps 18:7; 97:5; Isa 54:10; Am 9:5; Mic 1:4; Na 1:5; Hab 3:6
  9. Psalm 46:2 : Ex 15:8
  10. Psalm 46:3 : Ps 93:3; Isa 17:13; Jer 5:22; Eze 1:24; Rev 19:6
  11. Psalm 46:3 : S Job 9:26
  12. Psalm 46:3 : S Jdg 5:5
  13. Psalm 46:4 : S Ge 2:10; Rev 22:1
  14. Psalm 46:4 : S Ps 1:3
  15. Psalm 46:4 : Ps 48:1, 8; 87:3; 101:8; Rev 3:12
  16. Psalm 46:4 : Ge 14:18
  17. Psalm 46:4 : S 2Sa 15:25
  18. Psalm 46:5 : Dt 23:14; S Ps 26:8; Isa 12:6; Zec 2:5
  19. Psalm 46:5 : Ps 125:1
  20. Psalm 46:5 : S 1Ch 5:20
  21. Psalm 46:6 : S Job 12:23
  22. Psalm 46:6 : Ps 74:23; Isa 5:30; 17:12
  23. Psalm 46:6 : Ps 68:32; 102:22; Isa 13:4, 13; 23:11; Eze 26:18; Mt 4:8
  24. Psalm 46:6 : S Ps 29:3; Isa 33:3
  25. Psalm 46:6 : S ver 2
  26. Psalm 46:7 : S 1Sa 1:11
  27. Psalm 46:7 : S Ge 21:22
  28. Psalm 46:7 : S Ps 20:1
  29. Psalm 46:7 : ver 11; Ps 18:2
  30. Psalm 46:8 : Ps 66:5
  31. Psalm 46:8 : Isa 17:9; 64:10; Da 9:26; Lk 21:20
  32. Psalm 46:9 : Isa 2:4
  33. Psalm 46:9 : S Ps 37:15; S Isa 22:6
  34. Psalm 46:9 : Isa 9:5; Eze 39:9; Hos 2:18
  35. Psalm 46:10 : Dt 4:35; 1Ki 18:36, 39; Ps 100:3; Isa 37:16, 20; 43:11; 45:21; Eze 36:23
  36. Psalm 46:10 : Ps 18:46; Isa 2:11
  37. Psalm 46:11 : S Ps 20:1
  38. Psalm 46:11 : S ver 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.

Psalm 87

Psalm 87

Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

1 He has founded his city on the holy mountain.(A)
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion(B)
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.

3 Glorious things are said of you,
city of God:[a](C)
4 “I will record Rahab[b](D) and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia(E) too, and Tyre(F), along with Cush[c]—
and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”[d](G)
5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
“This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her.”
6 The Lord will write in the register(H) of the peoples:
“This one was born in Zion.”

7 As they make music(I) they will sing,
“All my fountains(J) are in you.”

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 87:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.
  2. Psalm 87:4 A poetic name for Egypt
  3. Psalm 87:4 That is, the upper Nile region
  4. Psalm 87:4 Or “I will record concerning those who acknowledge me: / ‘This one was born in Zion.’ / Hear this, Rahab and Babylon, / and you too, Philistia, Tyre and Cush.”

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 87:1 : S Ps 48:1
  2. Psalm 87:2 : Ps 2:6
  3. Psalm 87:3 : S Ps 46:4
  4. Psalm 87:4 : S Job 9:13
  5. Psalm 87:4 : S 2Sa 8:1; Ps 83:7
  6. Psalm 87:4 : Ps 45:12; Joel 3:4
  7. Psalm 87:4 : Isa 19:25
  8. Psalm 87:6 : Ex 32:32; Ps 69:28; Isa 4:3; Mal 3:16
  9. Psalm 87:7 : Ps 149:3
  10. Psalm 87:7 : S Ps 36:9
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.

1 Kings 8:22-30

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(A)

22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands(B) toward heaven 23 and said:

“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like(C) you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love(D) with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 24 You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.

25 “Now Lord, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises(E) you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me faithfully as you have done.’ 26 And now, God of Israel, let your word that you promised(F) your servant David my father come true.

27 “But will God really dwell(G) on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven,(H) cannot contain(I) you. How much less this temple I have built! 28 Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. 29 May your eyes be open(J) toward(K) this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name(L) shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray(M) toward this place. Hear(N) from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.(O)

Cross references:

  1. 1 Kings 8:22 : 8:22-53pp — 2Ch 6:12-40
  2. 1 Kings 8:22 : S Ex 9:29
  3. 1 Kings 8:23 : S Ex 9:14
  4. 1 Kings 8:23 : S Dt 7:9, 12; Ne 1:5; 9:32; Da 9:4
  5. 1 Kings 8:25 : S 2Sa 7:15; 1Ch 17:23; 2Ch 1:9
  6. 1 Kings 8:26 : S 2Sa 7:25
  7. 1 Kings 8:27 : Ac 7:48; 17:24
  8. 1 Kings 8:27 : S Dt 10:14
  9. 1 Kings 8:27 : 2Ch 2:6; Ps 139:7-16; Isa 66:1; Jer 23:24
  10. 1 Kings 8:29 : ver 52; 2Ki 19:16; 2Ch 7:15; Ne 1:6; Ps 5:1; 31:2; 102:17; 130:2; Isa 37:17
  11. 1 Kings 8:29 : Ps 28:2; 138:2; Da 6:10
  12. 1 Kings 8:29 : S Dt 11:12; 12:11; S 2Sa 7:13
  13. 1 Kings 8:30 : ver 47; Lev 26:40; Ne 1:6; Jer 29:12; Da 9:4
  14. 1 Kings 8:30 : ver 39; Ps 34:6
  15. 1 Kings 8:30 : S Ex 34:7, 9; Lev 26:40-42; Ps 85:2
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.

Ephesians 2:11-22

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly(A) you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)(B)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners(C) to the covenants of the promise,(D) without hope(E) and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once(F) were far away have been brought near(G) by the blood of Christ.(H)

14 For he himself is our peace,(I) who has made the two groups one(J) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh(K) the law with its commands and regulations.(L) His purpose was to create in himself one(M) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,(N) by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace(O) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.(P) 18 For through him we both have access(Q) to the Father(R) by one Spirit.(S)

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,(T) but fellow citizens(U) with God’s people and also members of his household,(V) 20 built(W) on the foundation(X) of the apostles and prophets,(Y) with Christ Jesus himself(Z) as the chief cornerstone.(AA) 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple(AB) in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.(AC)

Cross references:

  1. Ephesians 2:11 : S ver 2
  2. Ephesians 2:11 : Col 2:11
  3. Ephesians 2:12 : Isa 14:1; 65:1
  4. Ephesians 2:12 : Gal 3:17
  5. Ephesians 2:12 : 1Th 4:13
  6. Ephesians 2:13 : S ver 2
  7. Ephesians 2:13 : ver 17
  8. Ephesians 2:13 : Col 1:20
  9. Ephesians 2:14 : ver 15; S Jn 14:27
  10. Ephesians 2:14 : 1Co 12:13; Eph 3:6
  11. Ephesians 2:15 : Col 1:21, 22
  12. Ephesians 2:15 : Col 2:14
  13. Ephesians 2:15 : Gal 3:28
  14. Ephesians 2:16 : 2Co 5:18; Col 1:20, 22
  15. Ephesians 2:17 : S Lk 2:14
  16. Ephesians 2:17 : ver 13; Ps 148:14; Isa 57:19
  17. Ephesians 2:18 : Eph 3:12
  18. Ephesians 2:18 : Col 1:12
  19. Ephesians 2:18 : 1Co 12:13; Eph 4:4
  20. Ephesians 2:19 : ver 12
  21. Ephesians 2:19 : Php 3:20
  22. Ephesians 2:19 : Gal 6:10
  23. Ephesians 2:20 : 1Co 3:9
  24. Ephesians 2:20 : Mt 16:18; 1Co 3:10; Rev 21:14
  25. Ephesians 2:20 : S Eph 4:11
  26. Ephesians 2:20 : 1Co 3:11
  27. Ephesians 2:20 : S Ac 4:11; 1Pe 2:4-8
  28. Ephesians 2:21 : 1Co 3:16, 17
  29. Ephesians 2:22 : 1Co 3:16
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.