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 Tue, Feb 3

Psalm 72

Psalm 72

Of Solomon.

1 Endow the king with your justice,(A) O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
2 May he judge your people in righteousness,(B)
your afflicted ones with justice.

3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
4 May he defend the afflicted(C) among the people
and save the children of the needy;(D)
may he crush the oppressor.(E)
5 May he endure[a](F) as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.(G)
6 May he be like rain(H) falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.
7 In his days may the righteous flourish(I)
and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

8 May he rule from sea to sea
and from the River[b](J) to the ends of the earth.(K)
9 May the desert tribes bow before him
and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish(L) and of distant shores(M)
bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba(N) and Seba
present him gifts.(O)
11 May all kings bow down(P) to him
and all nations serve(Q) him.

12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
13 He will take pity(R) on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
14 He will rescue(S) them from oppression and violence,
for precious(T) is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba(U) be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.(V)
16 May grain(W) abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops(X) flourish like Lebanon(Y)
and thrive[c] like the grass of the field.(Z)
17 May his name endure forever;(AA)
may it continue as long as the sun.(AB)

Then all nations will be blessed through him,[d]
and they will call him blessed.(AC)

18 Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,(AD)
who alone does marvelous deeds.(AE)
19 Praise be to his glorious name(AF) forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.(AG)
Amen and Amen.(AH)

20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.(AI)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 72:5 Septuagint; Hebrew You will be feared
  2. Psalm 72:8 That is, the Euphrates
  3. Psalm 72:16 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text Lebanon, / from the city
  4. Psalm 72:17 Or will use his name in blessings (see Gen. 48:20)

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 72:1 : S Dt 1:16; S Ps 9:8
  2. Psalm 72:2 : Isa 9:7; 11:4-5; 16:5; 32:1; 59:17; 63:1; Jer 23:5; 33:15
  3. Psalm 72:4 : S Ps 9:12; 76:9; Isa 49:13
  4. Psalm 72:4 : ver 13; Isa 11:4; 29:19; 32:7
  5. Psalm 72:4 : S Ps 27:11
  6. Psalm 72:5 : 1Sa 13:13
  7. Psalm 72:5 : Ps 33:11
  8. Psalm 72:6 : S Dt 32:2
  9. Psalm 72:7 : Ps 92:12; Pr 14:11
  10. Psalm 72:8 : S Ex 23:31; S 1Ki 4:21
  11. Psalm 72:8 : Zec 9:10
  12. Psalm 72:10 : S Ge 10:4
  13. Psalm 72:10 : S Est 10:1
  14. Psalm 72:10 : S Ge 10:7
  15. Psalm 72:10 : S 1Ki 9:16; S 2Ch 9:24
  16. Psalm 72:11 : S Ge 27:29
  17. Psalm 72:11 : S Ezr 1:2
  18. Psalm 72:13 : Isa 60:10; Joel 2:18; Lk 10:33
  19. Psalm 72:14 : Ps 69:18; Eze 13:23; 34:10
  20. Psalm 72:14 : 1Sa 26:21
  21. Psalm 72:15 : S Ge 10:7
  22. Psalm 72:15 : S Ps 35:28
  23. Psalm 72:16 : S Ge 27:28; Ps 4:7
  24. Psalm 72:16 : Isa 4:2; 27:6; Eze 34:27
  25. Psalm 72:16 : Ps 92:12; 104:16
  26. Psalm 72:16 : S Nu 22:4; Isa 44:4; 58:11; 66:14
  27. Psalm 72:17 : S Ex 3:15
  28. Psalm 72:17 : Ps 89:36
  29. Psalm 72:17 : S Ge 12:3; Lk 1:48
  30. Psalm 72:18 : 1Ch 29:10; Ps 41:13; 106:48; Lk 1:68
  31. Psalm 72:18 : S Job 5:9
  32. Psalm 72:19 : S 2Sa 7:26
  33. Psalm 72:19 : Nu 14:21
  34. Psalm 72:19 : S Ps 41:13
  35. Psalm 72:20 : S Ru 4:17
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 119:73-96

י Yodh

73 Your hands made me(A) and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice(B) when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.(C)
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,(D)
and that in faithfulness(E) you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love(F) be my comfort,
according to your promise(G) to your servant.
77 Let your compassion(H) come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.(I)
78 May the arrogant(J) be put to shame for wronging me without cause;(K)
but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.(L)
80 May I wholeheartedly follow(M) your decrees,(N)
that I may not be put to shame.(O)

כ Kaph

81 My soul faints(P) with longing for your salvation,(Q)
but I have put my hope(R) in your word.
82 My eyes fail,(S) looking for your promise;(T)
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget(U) your decrees.
84 How long(V) must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?(W)
85 The arrogant(X) dig pits(Y) to trap me,
contrary to your law.
86 All your commands are trustworthy;(Z)
help me,(AA) for I am being persecuted(AB) without cause.(AC)
87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken(AD) your precepts.
88 In your unfailing love(AE) preserve my life,(AF)
that I may obey the statutes(AG) of your mouth.

ל Lamedh

89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;(AH)
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness(AI) continues through all generations;(AJ)
you established the earth, and it endures.(AK)
91 Your laws endure(AL) to this day,
for all things serve you.(AM)
92 If your law had not been my delight,(AN)
I would have perished in my affliction.(AO)
93 I will never forget(AP) your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.(AQ)
94 Save me,(AR) for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.(AS)
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,(AT)
but I will ponder your statutes.(AU)
96 To all perfection I see a limit,
but your commands are boundless.(AV)

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 119:73 : S Ge 1:27; S Job 4:17; 10:8; Ps 138:8; 139:13-16
  2. Psalm 119:74 : S Ps 34:2
  3. Psalm 119:74 : ver 9; Ps 130:5
  4. Psalm 119:75 : ver 7, 138, 172
  5. Psalm 119:75 : Heb 12:5-11
  6. Psalm 119:76 : Ps 6:4
  7. Psalm 119:76 : S ver 41
  8. Psalm 119:77 : Ps 90:13; 103:13
  9. Psalm 119:77 : S ver 47
  10. Psalm 119:78 : ver 51; Jer 50:32
  11. Psalm 119:78 : ver 86, 161; Ps 35:19
  12. Psalm 119:79 : ver 27, 125
  13. Psalm 119:80 : ver 1; S 1Ki 8:61
  14. Psalm 119:80 : S Ge 26:5
  15. Psalm 119:80 : S ver 6
  16. Psalm 119:81 : ver 20; Ps 84:2
  17. Psalm 119:81 : ver 123
  18. Psalm 119:81 : S ver 43
  19. Psalm 119:82 : S Ps 6:7; 69:3; La 2:11
  20. Psalm 119:82 : ver 41, 123
  21. Psalm 119:83 : S ver 61
  22. Psalm 119:84 : Ps 6:3; Rev 6:10
  23. Psalm 119:84 : ver 51; Jer 12:3; 15:15; 20:11
  24. Psalm 119:85 : ver 51
  25. Psalm 119:85 : Ps 35:7; 57:6; Jer 18:20, 22
  26. Psalm 119:86 : ver 138
  27. Psalm 119:86 : S Ps 109:26
  28. Psalm 119:86 : S Ps 7:1
  29. Psalm 119:86 : S ver 78
  30. Psalm 119:87 : ver 150; Isa 1:4, 28; 58:2; 59:13
  31. Psalm 119:88 : ver 124; Ps 51:1; 109:26
  32. Psalm 119:88 : S Ps 41:2
  33. Psalm 119:88 : ver 2, 100, 129, 134, 168
  34. Psalm 119:89 : ver 111, 144; S Ps 111:8; Isa 51:6; S Mt 5:18; 1Pe 1:25
  35. Psalm 119:90 : S Ps 36:5
  36. Psalm 119:90 : S Ps 45:17
  37. Psalm 119:90 : S Job 8:19; Ps 148:6
  38. Psalm 119:91 : Jer 33:25
  39. Psalm 119:91 : Ps 104:2-4; Jer 31:35
  40. Psalm 119:92 : Ps 37:4; S 112:1
  41. Psalm 119:92 : ver 50, 67
  42. Psalm 119:93 : ver 83
  43. Psalm 119:93 : S Ps 103:5
  44. Psalm 119:94 : ver 146; Ps 54:1; 116:4; Jer 17:14; 31:18; 42:11
  45. Psalm 119:94 : S ver 45
  46. Psalm 119:95 : S Ps 69:4
  47. Psalm 119:95 : ver 99
  48. Psalm 119:96 : Ps 19:7
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.

Genesis 22:1-18

Abraham Tested

22 Some time later God tested(A) Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,”(B) he replied.

2 Then God said, “Take your son(C), your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah.(D) Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering(E) on a mountain I will show you.(F)”

3 Early the next morning(G) Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.(H)”

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac,(I) and he himself carried the fire and the knife.(J) As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb(K) for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide(L) the lamb(M) for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about,(N) Abraham built an altar(O) there and arranged the wood(P) on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar,(Q) on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife(R) to slay his son.(S) 11 But the angel of the Lord(T) called out to him from heaven,(U) “Abraham! Abraham!”(V)

“Here I am,”(W) he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God,(X) because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.(Y)”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns.(Z) He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.(AA) 14 So Abraham called(AB) that place The Lord(AC) Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.(AD)”

15 The angel of the Lord(AE) called to Abraham from heaven(AF) a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself,(AG) declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,(AH) 17 I will surely bless you(AI) and make your descendants(AJ) as numerous as the stars in the sky(AK) and as the sand on the seashore.(AL) Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,(AM) 18 and through your offspring[b] all nations on earth will be blessed,[c](AN) because you have obeyed me.”(AO)

Footnotes:

  1. Genesis 22:13 Many manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint and Syriac; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text a ram behind him
  2. Genesis 22:18 Or seed
  3. Genesis 22:18 Or and all nations on earth will use the name of your offspring in blessings (see 48:20)

Cross references:

  1. Genesis 22:1 : Ex 15:25; 16:4; 20:20; Dt 8:2, 16; 13:3; Jdg 2:22; 3:1; 2Ch 32:31; Ps 66:10; Heb 11:17; Jas 1:12-13
  2. Genesis 22:1 : ver 11; Ge 31:11; 46:2; 1Sa 3:4, 6, 8; Isa 6:8
  3. Genesis 22:2 : ver 12, 16; Jn 3:16; Heb 11:17; 1Jn 4:9
  4. Genesis 22:2 : 2Ch 3:1
  5. Genesis 22:2 : S Ge 8:20
  6. Genesis 22:2 : ver 9
  7. Genesis 22:3 : Jos 8:10
  8. Genesis 22:5 : Ex 24:14
  9. Genesis 22:6 : Jn 19:17
  10. Genesis 22:6 : ver 10; Jdg 19:29
  11. Genesis 22:7 : Ex 29:38-42; Lev 1:10; Rev 13:8
  12. Genesis 22:8 : ver 14
  13. Genesis 22:8 : ver 13; S Jn 1:29
  14. Genesis 22:9 : ver 2
  15. Genesis 22:9 : S Ge 4:26; S 8:20
  16. Genesis 22:9 : Lev 1:7; 1Ki 18:33
  17. Genesis 22:9 : Heb 11:17-19; Jas 2:21
  18. Genesis 22:10 : S ver 6
  19. Genesis 22:10 : ver 3; S Ge 18:19
  20. Genesis 22:11 : S Ge 16:7
  21. Genesis 22:11 : S Ge 21:17
  22. Genesis 22:11 : Ge 46:2
  23. Genesis 22:11 : S ver 1
  24. Genesis 22:12 : S Ge 18:19; 42:18; Ex 18:21; 1Sa 15:22; Job 1:1; 37:24; Pr 8:13; Jas 2:21-22
  25. Genesis 22:12 : S ver 2; Jn 3:16; 1Jn 4:9
  26. Genesis 22:13 : S ver 8
  27. Genesis 22:13 : S Ge 8:20; Ro 8:32
  28. Genesis 22:14 : Ex 17:15; Jdg 6:24
  29. Genesis 22:14 : Isa 30:29
  30. Genesis 22:14 : ver 8
  31. Genesis 22:15 : S Ge 16:7
  32. Genesis 22:15 : S Ge 21:17
  33. Genesis 22:16 : Ex 13:11; 32:13; 33:1; Isa 45:23; 62:8; Jer 22:5; 44:26; 49:13; 51:14; Am 6:8; Lk 1:73; Heb 6:13
  34. Genesis 22:16 : S ver 2
  35. Genesis 22:17 : S Ge 12:2
  36. Genesis 22:17 : Heb 6:14*
  37. Genesis 22:17 : S Ge 15:5; Ex 32:13; Dt 7:7; 28:62
  38. Genesis 22:17 : S Ge 12:2; S 26:24; Hos 1:10; Ro 9:27; Heb 11:12
  39. Genesis 22:17 : Ge 24:60; Est 9:2
  40. Genesis 22:18 : S Ge 12:2, 3; Ac 3:25*; Gal 3:8*
  41. Genesis 22:18 : S ver 10; Ge 17:2, 9; Ps 105:9
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.

Hebrews 11:23-31

23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born,(A) because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.(B)

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.(C) 25 He chose to be mistreated(D) along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace(E) for the sake of Christ(F) as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.(G) 27 By faith he left Egypt,(H) not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer(I) of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.(J)

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.(K)

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.(L)

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[a](M)

Footnotes:

  1. Hebrews 11:31 Or unbelieving

Cross references:

  1. Hebrews 11:23 : Ex 2:2
  2. Hebrews 11:23 : Ex 1:16, 22
  3. Hebrews 11:24 : Ex 2:10, 11
  4. Hebrews 11:25 : ver 37
  5. Hebrews 11:26 : Heb 13:13
  6. Hebrews 11:26 : Lk 14:33
  7. Hebrews 11:26 : Heb 10:35
  8. Hebrews 11:27 : Ex 12:50, 51
  9. Hebrews 11:28 : 1Co 10:10
  10. Hebrews 11:28 : Ex 12:21-23
  11. Hebrews 11:29 : Ex 14:21-31
  12. Hebrews 11:30 : Jos 6:12-20
  13. Hebrews 11:31 : Jos 2:1, 9-14; 6:22-25; Jas 2:25
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 6:52-59

52 Then the Jews(A) began to argue sharply among themselves,(B) “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh(C) of the Son of Man(D) and drink his blood,(E) you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.(F) 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.(G) 57 Just as the living Father sent me(H) and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”(I) 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Cross references:

  1. John 6:52 : S Jn 1:19
  2. John 6:52 : Jn 7:43; 9:16; 10:19
  3. John 6:53 : Mt 26:26
  4. John 6:53 : S Mt 8:20
  5. John 6:53 : Mt 26:28
  6. John 6:54 : ver 39
  7. John 6:56 : Jn 15:4-7; 1Jn 2:24; 3:24; 4:15
  8. John 6:57 : S Jn 3:17
  9. John 6:58 : ver 49-51; Jn 3:36; 5:24
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.