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 Mon, May 25

Psalm 25

Psalm 25[a]

Of David.

In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.(A)

I trust in you;(B)
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,(C)
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous(D) without cause.

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.(E)
Guide me in your truth(F) and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,(G)
and my hope is in you(H) all day long.
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,(I)
for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth(J)
and my rebellious ways;(K)
according to your love(L) remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.(M)

Good and upright(N) is the Lord;
therefore he instructs(O) sinners in his ways.
He guides(P) the humble in what is right
and teaches them(Q) his way.
10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful(R)
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.(S)
11 For the sake of your name,(T) Lord,
forgive(U) my iniquity,(V) though it is great.

12 Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?(W)
He will instruct them in the ways(X) they should choose.[b]
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,(Y)
and their descendants will inherit the land.(Z)
14 The Lord confides(AA) in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known(AB) to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the Lord,(AC)
for only he will release my feet from the snare.(AD)

16 Turn to me(AE) and be gracious to me,(AF)
for I am lonely(AG) and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles(AH) of my heart
and free me from my anguish.(AI)
18 Look on my affliction(AJ) and my distress(AK)
and take away all my sins.(AL)
19 See how numerous are my enemies(AM)
and how fiercely they hate me!(AN)

20 Guard my life(AO) and rescue me;(AP)
do not let me be put to shame,(AQ)
for I take refuge(AR) in you.
21 May integrity(AS) and uprightness(AT) protect me,
because my hope, Lord,[c] is in you.(AU)

22 Deliver Israel,(AV) O God,
from all their troubles!

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 25:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
  2. Psalm 25:12 Or ways he chooses
  3. Psalm 25:21 Septuagint; Hebrew does not have Lord.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 25:1 : Ps 86:4; 143:8
  2. Psalm 25:2 : Ps 31:6; 143:8
  3. Psalm 25:3 : S Ps 22:5; S Isa 29:22
  4. Psalm 25:3 : Isa 24:16; Hab 1:13; Zep 3:4; 2Ti 3:4
  5. Psalm 25:4 : S Job 34:32
  6. Psalm 25:5 : Ps 31:3; 43:3; Jn 16:13
  7. Psalm 25:5 : Ps 24:5
  8. Psalm 25:5 : ver 3; Ps 33:20; 39:7; 42:5; 71:5; 130:7; 131:3
  9. Psalm 25:6 : Ps 5:7; 98:3; Isa 63:7, 15; Jer 31:20; Hos 11:8
  10. Psalm 25:7 : Job 13:26; Isa 54:4; Jer 3:25; 31:19; 32:30; Eze 16:22, 60; 23:3; 2Ti 2:22
  11. Psalm 25:7 : S Ex 23:21; Ps 107:17
  12. Psalm 25:7 : Ps 6:4; 51:1; 69:16; 109:26; 119:124
  13. Psalm 25:7 : S 1Ch 16:34; Ps 34:8; 73:1
  14. Psalm 25:8 : Ps 92:15; Isa 26:7
  15. Psalm 25:8 : Ps 32:8; Isa 28:26
  16. Psalm 25:9 : S Ps 23:3
  17. Psalm 25:9 : ver 4; Ps 27:11
  18. Psalm 25:10 : S Ps 18:25
  19. Psalm 25:10 : Ps 103:18; 132:12
  20. Psalm 25:11 : S Ex 9:16; Ps 31:3; 79:9; Jer 14:7
  21. Psalm 25:11 : S Ex 34:9
  22. Psalm 25:11 : S Ex 32:30; S Ps 78:38
  23. Psalm 25:12 : S Job 1:8
  24. Psalm 25:12 : ver 8
  25. Psalm 25:13 : S Dt 30:15; S 1Ki 3:14; S Job 8:7
  26. Psalm 25:13 : S Nu 14:24; Mt 5:5
  27. Psalm 25:14 : Pr 3:32
  28. Psalm 25:14 : Ge 17:2; Jn 7:17
  29. Psalm 25:15 : S 2Ch 20:12; Ps 123:2; Heb 12:2
  30. Psalm 25:15 : S Job 34:30; S Ps 119:110
  31. Psalm 25:16 : S Ps 6:4
  32. Psalm 25:16 : S Nu 6:25
  33. Psalm 25:16 : Ps 68:6
  34. Psalm 25:17 : 1Ki 1:29; Ps 34:6, 17; 40:12; 54:7; 116:3
  35. Psalm 25:17 : Ps 6:3; 39:2
  36. Psalm 25:18 : S Ps 13:3; Ro 12:12
  37. Psalm 25:18 : S 2Sa 16:12
  38. Psalm 25:18 : Ps 103:3
  39. Psalm 25:19 : Ps 3:1; 9:13
  40. Psalm 25:19 : Ps 35:19; 38:19; 69:4
  41. Psalm 25:20 : Ps 86:2
  42. Psalm 25:20 : Ps 17:13; 22:21; 43:1; 71:2; 116:4; 140:1; 142:6; 144:11
  43. Psalm 25:20 : ver 3
  44. Psalm 25:20 : Ps 2:12
  45. Psalm 25:21 : S Ge 20:5; Pr 10:9
  46. Psalm 25:21 : 1Ki 9:4; Ps 85:10; 111:8; Isa 60:17; Mal 2:6
  47. Psalm 25:21 : ver 3
  48. Psalm 25:22 : Ps 130:8; Lk 24:21
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 9

Psalm 9[a][b]

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;(A)
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.(B)
I will be glad and rejoice(C) in you;
I will sing the praises(D) of your name,(E) O Most High.

My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.
For you have upheld my right(F) and my cause,(G)
sitting enthroned(H) as the righteous judge.(I)
You have rebuked the nations(J) and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name(K) for ever and ever.
Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,
you have uprooted their cities;(L)
even the memory of them(M) has perished.

The Lord reigns forever;(N)
he has established his throne(O) for judgment.
He rules the world in righteousness(P)
and judges the peoples with equity.(Q)
The Lord is a refuge(R) for the oppressed,(S)
a stronghold in times of trouble.(T)
10 Those who know your name(U) trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken(V) those who seek you.(W)

11 Sing the praises(X) of the Lord, enthroned in Zion;(Y)
proclaim among the nations(Z) what he has done.(AA)
12 For he who avenges blood(AB) remembers;
he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.(AC)

13 Lord, see how my enemies(AD) persecute me!
Have mercy(AE) and lift me up from the gates of death,(AF)
14 that I may declare your praises(AG)
in the gates of Daughter Zion,(AH)
and there rejoice in your salvation.(AI)

15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;(AJ)
their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.(AK)
16 The Lord is known by his acts of justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.[c](AL)
17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead,(AM)
all the nations that forget God.(AN)
18 But God will never forget the needy;
the hope(AO) of the afflicted(AP) will never perish.

19 Arise,(AQ) Lord, do not let mortals triumph;(AR)
let the nations be judged(AS) in your presence.
20 Strike them with terror,(AT) Lord;
let the nations know they are only mortal.(AU)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 9:1 Psalms 9 and 10 may originally have been a single acrostic poem in which alternating lines began with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Septuagint they constitute one psalm.
  2. Psalm 9:1 In Hebrew texts 9:1-20 is numbered 9:2-21.
  3. Psalm 9:16 The Hebrew has Higgaion and Selah (words of uncertain meaning) here; Selah occurs also at the end of verse 20.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 9:1 : Ps 86:12; 111:1; 119:2, 10, 145; 138:1
  2. Psalm 9:1 : S Dt 4:34
  3. Psalm 9:2 : S Job 22:19; Ps 14:7; 31:7; 70:4; 97:8; 126:3; Pr 23:15; Isa 25:9; Jer 30:19; Joel 2:21; Zep 3:14; S Mt 5:12; Rev 19:7
  4. Psalm 9:2 : S 2Ch 31:2
  5. Psalm 9:2 : Ps 92:1
  6. Psalm 9:4 : S 1Ki 8:45
  7. Psalm 9:4 : S Job 16:21
  8. Psalm 9:4 : Ps 11:4; 47:8; Isa 6:1
  9. Psalm 9:4 : Ps 7:11; 67:4; 98:9; 1Pe 2:23
  10. Psalm 9:5 : Ge 20:7; S 37:10; S 1Ch 16:21; Ps 59:5; 105:14; Isa 26:14; 66:15
  11. Psalm 9:5 : S Job 18:17
  12. Psalm 9:6 : S Dt 29:28; Jer 2:3; 46:1-51:58; Zep 2:8-10
  13. Psalm 9:6 : Ps 34:16; 109:15; Ecc 9:5; Isa 14:22; 26:14
  14. Psalm 9:7 : S 1Ch 16:31; Rev 19:6
  15. Psalm 9:7 : Ps 11:4; 47:8; 93:2; Isa 6:1; 66:1
  16. Psalm 9:8 : S ver 4; Ps 7:11
  17. Psalm 9:8 : Ps 11:7; 45:6; 72:2
  18. Psalm 9:9 : S Dt 33:27; S 2Sa 22:3
  19. Psalm 9:9 : Ps 10:18; 74:21
  20. Psalm 9:9 : Ps 32:7; 121:7
  21. Psalm 9:10 : Ps 91:14
  22. Psalm 9:10 : S Ge 28:15; S Dt 4:31; Ps 22:1; 37:25; 71:11; Isa 49:14; Jer 15:18; Heb 13:5
  23. Psalm 9:10 : Ps 70:4
  24. Psalm 9:11 : Ps 7:17
  25. Psalm 9:11 : S Ps 2:6
  26. Psalm 9:11 : Ps 18:49; 44:11; 57:9; 106:27; Isa 24:13; Eze 20:23; 1Ti 3:16
  27. Psalm 9:11 : Ps 105:1
  28. Psalm 9:12 : S 2Sa 4:11
  29. Psalm 9:12 : ver 18; Ps 10:17; 22:24; 72:4; Isa 49:13
  30. Psalm 9:13 : Nu 10:9; Ps 3:7; 18:3
  31. Psalm 9:13 : Ps 6:2; 41:4; 51:1; 86:3, 16; 119:132
  32. Psalm 9:13 : S Job 17:16; Mt 16:18
  33. Psalm 9:14 : Ps 51:15; 1Pe 2:9
  34. Psalm 9:14 : 2Ki 19:21; Isa 1:8; 10:32; 37:22; 62:11; Jer 4:31; 6:2; La 1:6; Mic 1:13; Zep 3:14; Zec 2:10; Mt 21:5; Jn 12:15
  35. Psalm 9:14 : Ps 13:5; 35:9; 50:23; 51:12
  36. Psalm 9:15 : S Job 4:8; Ps 35:7
  37. Psalm 9:15 : Ps 35:8; 57:6
  38. Psalm 9:16 : Pr 5:22
  39. Psalm 9:17 : S Nu 16:30; Pr 5:5
  40. Psalm 9:17 : S Job 8:13
  41. Psalm 9:18 : Ps 25:3; 39:7; 71:5; Pr 23:18; Jer 14:8
  42. Psalm 9:18 : ver 12; Ps 74:19
  43. Psalm 9:19 : Ps 3:7
  44. Psalm 9:19 : 2Ch 14:11
  45. Psalm 9:19 : Ps 110:6; Isa 2:4; Joel 3:12
  46. Psalm 9:20 : S Ge 35:5; Ps 31:13; Isa 13:8; Lk 21:26
  47. Psalm 9:20 : Ps 62:9; Isa 31:3; Eze 28:2
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 15

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

Lord, who may dwell(A) in your sacred tent?(B)
Who may live on your holy mountain?(C)

The one whose walk is blameless,(D)
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth(E) from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,(F)
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
but honors(G) those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath(H) even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;(I)
who does not accept a bribe(J) against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.(K)

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.

Proverbs 10:1-12

Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs(A) of Solomon:(B)

A wise son brings joy to his father,(C)
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,(D)
but righteousness delivers from death.(E)

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,(F)
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.(G)

Lazy hands make for poverty,(H)
but diligent hands bring wealth.(I)

He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.(J)

Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[a](K)

The name of the righteous(L) is used in blessings,[b]
but the name of the wicked(M) will rot.(N)

The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(O)

Whoever walks in integrity(P) walks securely,(Q)
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.(R)

10 Whoever winks maliciously(S) causes grief,
and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(T)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(U)

12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs.(V)

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
  2. Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.
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.

1 Timothy 1:1-17

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God(A) our Savior(B) and of Christ Jesus our hope,(C)

To Timothy(D) my true son(E) in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.(F)

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,(G) stay there in Ephesus(H) so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines(I) any longer or to devote themselves to myths(J) and endless genealogies.(K) Such things promote controversial speculations(L) rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart(M) and a good conscience(N) and a sincere faith.(O) Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers(P) of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.(Q)

We know that the law is good(R) if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous(S) but for lawbreakers and rebels,(T) the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine(U) 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.(V)

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,(W) that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.(X) 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor(Y) and a violent man, I was shown mercy(Z) because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.(AA) 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,(AB) along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.(AC)

15 Here is a trustworthy saying(AD) that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners(AE)—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy(AF) so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience(AG) as an example for those who would believe(AH) in him and receive eternal life.(AI) 17 Now to the King(AJ) eternal, immortal,(AK) invisible,(AL) the only God,(AM) be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.(AN)

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.

Matthew 12:22-32

Jesus and Beelzebul(A)

22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.(B) 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”(C)

24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul,(D) the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”(E)

25 Jesus knew their thoughts(F) and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan(G) drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul,(H) by whom do your people(I) drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God(J) has come upon you.

29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.(K) 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.(L) 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age(M) or in the age to come.(N)

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.