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, Jan 6

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 97

Psalm 97

1 The Lord reigns,(A) let the earth be glad;(B)
let the distant shores(C) rejoice.
2 Clouds(D) and thick darkness(E) surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.(F)
3 Fire(G) goes before(H) him
and consumes(I) his foes on every side.
4 His lightning(J) lights up the world;
the earth(K) sees and trembles.(L)
5 The mountains melt(M) like wax(N) before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.(O)
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,(P)
and all peoples see his glory.(Q)

7 All who worship images(R) are put to shame,(S)
those who boast in idols(T)—
worship him,(U) all you gods!(V)

8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad(W)
because of your judgments,(X) Lord.
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High(Y) over all the earth;(Z)
you are exalted(AA) far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,(AB)
for he guards(AC) the lives of his faithful ones(AD)
and delivers(AE) them from the hand of the wicked.(AF)
11 Light shines[a](AG) on the righteous(AH)
and joy on the upright in heart.(AI)
12 Rejoice in the Lord,(AJ) you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.(AK)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 97:11 One Hebrew manuscript and ancient versions (see also 112:4); most Hebrew manuscripts Light is sown

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 97:1 : Ex 15:18; Ps 93:1; 96:10; 99:1; Isa 24:23; 52:7
  2. Psalm 97:1 : S Ps 96:11
  3. Psalm 97:1 : S Est 10:1
  4. Psalm 97:2 : S Job 22:14
  5. Psalm 97:2 : S Ex 19:9
  6. Psalm 97:2 : Ps 89:14
  7. Psalm 97:3 : Isa 9:19; Da 7:10; Joel 1:19; 2:3
  8. Psalm 97:3 : Hab 3:5
  9. Psalm 97:3 : S 2Sa 22:9
  10. Psalm 97:4 : S Job 36:30
  11. Psalm 97:4 : S 2Sa 22:8
  12. Psalm 97:4 : S Ps 18:7; 104:32; S Rev 6:12
  13. Psalm 97:5 : S Ps 46:2, 6
  14. Psalm 97:5 : S Ps 22:14
  15. Psalm 97:5 : S Jos 3:11
  16. Psalm 97:6 : Ps 50:6; 98:2
  17. Psalm 97:6 : S Ps 19:1
  18. Psalm 97:7 : S Lev 26:1
  19. Psalm 97:7 : Isa 42:17; Jer 10:14
  20. Psalm 97:7 : S Dt 5:8
  21. Psalm 97:7 : Heb 1:6
  22. Psalm 97:7 : Ex 12:12; Ps 16:4
  23. Psalm 97:8 : S Ps 9:2
  24. Psalm 97:8 : Ps 48:11
  25. Psalm 97:9 : Ps 7:8
  26. Psalm 97:9 : S Job 34:29
  27. Psalm 97:9 : S Ps 47:9
  28. Psalm 97:10 : S Job 28:28; Am 5:15; Ro 12:9
  29. Psalm 97:10 : Ps 145:20
  30. Psalm 97:10 : Ps 31:23; 37:28; Pr 2:8
  31. Psalm 97:10 : S Ps 34:7; Da 3:28; 6:16
  32. Psalm 97:10 : Ps 37:40; Jer 15:21; 20:13
  33. Psalm 97:11 : S Job 22:28
  34. Psalm 97:11 : Ps 11:5
  35. Psalm 97:11 : Ps 7:10
  36. Psalm 97:12 : S Job 22:19; Ps 104:34; Isa 41:16; Php 4:4
  37. Psalm 97:12 : S Ex 3:15; S Ps 99:3
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)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 100

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

1 Shout for joy(A) to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord(B) with gladness;
come before him(C) with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.(D)
It is he who made us,(E) and we are his[a];
we are his people,(F) the sheep of his pasture.(G)

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving(H)
and his courts(I) with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.(J)
5 For the Lord is good(K) and his love endures forever;(L)
his faithfulness(M) continues through all generations.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 100:3 Or and not we ourselves

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 100:1 : S Ps 98:6
  2. Psalm 100:2 : S Dt 10:12
  3. Psalm 100:2 : S Ps 95:2
  4. Psalm 100:3 : S 1Ki 18:21; S Ps 46:10
  5. Psalm 100:3 : S Job 10:3
  6. Psalm 100:3 : Ps 79:13; Isa 19:25; 63:8, 17-19; 64:9
  7. Psalm 100:3 : S 2Sa 24:17; S Ps 74:1
  8. Psalm 100:4 : S Ps 42:4
  9. Psalm 100:4 : S Ps 96:8
  10. Psalm 100:4 : Ps 116:17
  11. Psalm 100:5 : S 1Ch 16:34
  12. Psalm 100:5 : S Ezr 3:11; Ps 106:1
  13. Psalm 100:5 : Ps 108:4; 119:90
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.

Isaiah 49:1-7

The Servant of the Lord

49 Listen(A) to me, you islands;(B)
hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born(C) the Lord called(D) me;
from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.(E)
2 He made my mouth(F) like a sharpened sword,(G)
in the shadow of his hand(H) he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow(I)
and concealed me in his quiver.
3 He said to me, “You are my servant,(J)
Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.(K)”
4 But I said, “I have labored in vain;(L)
I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,(M)
and my reward(N) is with my God.”(O)

5 And now the Lord says—
he who formed me in the womb(P) to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
and gather Israel(Q) to himself,
for I am[a] honored(R) in the eyes of the Lord
and my God has been my strength(S)—
6 he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant(T)
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.(U)
I will also make you a light(V) for the Gentiles,(W)
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”(X)

7 This is what the Lord says—
the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel(Y)—
to him who was despised(Z) and abhorred by the nation,
to the servant of rulers:
“Kings(AA) will see you and stand up,
princes will see and bow down,(AB)
because of the Lord, who is faithful,(AC)
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen(AD) you.”

Footnotes:

  1. Isaiah 49:5 Or him, / but Israel would not be gathered; / yet I will be

Cross references:

  1. Isaiah 49:1 : S Isa 33:13
  2. Isaiah 49:1 : S Isa 11:11
  3. Isaiah 49:1 : Isa 44:24; 46:3; Mt 1:20
  4. Isaiah 49:1 : Isa 7:14; 9:6; 44:2; Jer 1:5; Gal 1:15
  5. Isaiah 49:1 : S Ex 33:12; S Isa 43:1
  6. Isaiah 49:2 : S Job 40:18
  7. Isaiah 49:2 : S Ps 64:3; Eph 6:17; S Rev 1:16
  8. Isaiah 49:2 : S Ex 33:22; S Ps 91:1
  9. Isaiah 49:2 : S Dt 32:23; Zec 9:13
  10. Isaiah 49:3 : S Isa 20:3; Zec 3:8
  11. Isaiah 49:3 : S Lev 10:3; S Isa 44:23
  12. Isaiah 49:4 : S Lev 26:20; Isa 55:2; 65:23
  13. Isaiah 49:4 : Isa 45:25; 50:8; 53:10; 54:17
  14. Isaiah 49:4 : S Isa 35:4
  15. Isaiah 49:4 : S Job 27:2
  16. Isaiah 49:5 : S Ps 139:13; Gal 1:15
  17. Isaiah 49:5 : S Dt 30:4; S Isa 11:12
  18. Isaiah 49:5 : S Isa 43:4
  19. Isaiah 49:5 : S Ps 18:1
  20. Isaiah 49:6 : S ver 3
  21. Isaiah 49:6 : Isa 1:9
  22. Isaiah 49:6 : S Isa 9:2; Jn 1:9
  23. Isaiah 49:6 : S Isa 26:18; 55:5; Zec 8:22; S Lk 2:32
  24. Isaiah 49:6 : S Dt 30:4; S Ps 48:10; S Mt 28:19; Jn 11:52; Ac 13:47*
  25. Isaiah 49:7 : S Isa 48:17
  26. Isaiah 49:7 : S Ps 22:6; 69:7-9
  27. Isaiah 49:7 : S Ezr 1:2; Isa 52:15
  28. Isaiah 49:7 : S Ge 27:29; S Ps 22:29; S 86:9
  29. Isaiah 49:7 : S Dt 7:9; S 1Co 1:9
  30. Isaiah 49:7 : S Isa 14:1
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.

Revelation 21:22-27

22 I did not see a temple(A) in the city, because the Lord God Almighty(B) and the Lamb(C) are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God(D) gives it light,(E) and the Lamb(F) is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.(G) 25 On no day will its gates(H) ever be shut,(I) for there will be no night there.(J) 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.(K) 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful,(L) but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.(M)

Cross references:

  1. Revelation 21:22 : Jn 4:21, 23
  2. Revelation 21:22 : S Rev 1:8
  3. Revelation 21:22 : S Rev 5:6
  4. Revelation 21:23 : S ver 11
  5. Revelation 21:23 : Isa 24:23; 60:19, 20; Rev 22:5
  6. Revelation 21:23 : S Rev 5:6
  7. Revelation 21:24 : ver 26; Isa 60:3, 5
  8. Revelation 21:25 : S ver 12
  9. Revelation 21:25 : Isa 60:11
  10. Revelation 21:25 : Zec 14:7; Rev 22:5
  11. Revelation 21:26 : ver 24
  12. Revelation 21:27 : Isa 52:1; Joel 3:17; Rev 22:14, 15
  13. Revelation 21:27 : S Rev 20:12
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 12:14-21

14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.(A)

God’s Chosen Servant

15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.(B) 16 He warned them not to tell others about him.(C) 17 This was to fulfill(D) what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;(E)
I will put my Spirit on him,(F)
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”[a](G)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 12:21 Isaiah 42:1-4

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 12:14 : Ge 37:18; Ps 71:10; Mt 26:4; 27:1; Mk 3:6; Lk 6:11; Jn 5:18; 7:1, 19; 11:53
  2. Matthew 12:15 : S Mt 4:23
  3. Matthew 12:16 : S Mt 8:4
  4. Matthew 12:17 : S Mt 1:22
  5. Matthew 12:18 : S Mt 3:17
  6. Matthew 12:18 : S Jn 3:34
  7. Matthew 12:21 : Isa 42:1-4
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.