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 Sun, Jun 14

Psalm 93

Psalm 93

1 The Lord reigns,(A) he is robed in majesty;(B)
the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;(C)
indeed, the world is established,(D) firm and secure.(E)
2 Your throne was established(F) long ago;
you are from all eternity.(G)

3 The seas(H) have lifted up, Lord,
the seas have lifted up their voice;(I)
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.(J)
4 Mightier than the thunder(K) of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers(L) of the sea—
the Lord on high is mighty.(M)

5 Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;
holiness(N) adorns your house(O)
for endless days.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 93:1 : S 1Ch 16:31; S Ps 97:1
  2. Psalm 93:1 : S Job 40:10; S Ps 21:5
  3. Psalm 93:1 : S Ps 65:6
  4. Psalm 93:1 : Ps 24:2; 78:69; 119:90
  5. Psalm 93:1 : 1Ch 16:30; Ps 96:10
  6. Psalm 93:2 : S 2Sa 7:16
  7. Psalm 93:2 : S Ge 21:33
  8. Psalm 93:3 : Ps 96:11; 98:7; Isa 5:30; 17:12-13; Jer 6:23
  9. Psalm 93:3 : S Ps 46:3
  10. Psalm 93:3 : Job 9:8; Ps 107:25, 29; Isa 51:15; Jer 31:35; Hab 3:10
  11. Psalm 93:4 : Ps 65:7; Jer 6:23
  12. Psalm 93:4 : S Ps 18:4; Jnh 1:15
  13. Psalm 93:4 : S Ne 9:32; S Job 9:4
  14. Psalm 93:5 : Ps 29:2; 96:9
  15. Psalm 93:5 : Ps 5:7; 23:6
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 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 34

Psalm 34[a][b]

Of David. When he pretended to be insane(A) before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

1 I will extol the Lord at all times;(B)
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory(C) in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.(D)
3 Glorify the Lord(E) with me;
let us exalt(F) his name together.

4 I sought the Lord,(G) and he answered me;
he delivered(H) me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;(I)
their faces are never covered with shame.(J)
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.(K)
7 The angel of the Lord(L) encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers(M) them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;(N)
blessed is the one who takes refuge(O) in him.
9 Fear the Lord,(P) you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.(Q)
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.(R)
11 Come, my children, listen(S) to me;
I will teach you(T) the fear of the Lord.(U)
12 Whoever of you loves life(V)
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue(W) from evil
and your lips from telling lies.(X)
14 Turn from evil and do good;(Y)
seek peace(Z) and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord(AA) are on the righteous,(AB)
and his ears are attentive(AC) to their cry;
16 but the face of the Lord is against(AD) those who do evil,(AE)
to blot out their name(AF) from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears(AG) them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close(AH) to the brokenhearted(AI)
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous person may have many troubles,(AJ)
but the Lord delivers him from them all;(AK)
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.(AL)

21 Evil will slay the wicked;(AM)
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord will rescue(AN) his servants;
no one who takes refuge(AO) in him will be condemned.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 34:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
  2. Psalm 34:1 In Hebrew texts 34:1-22 is numbered 34:2-23.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 34:1 : 1Sa 21:13
  2. Psalm 34:1 : Ps 71:6; S Eph 5:20; 1Th 5:18
  3. Psalm 34:2 : Ps 44:8; Jer 9:24; 1Co 1:31
  4. Psalm 34:2 : Ps 69:32; 107:42; 119:74
  5. Psalm 34:3 : Ps 63:3; 86:12; Da 4:37; Jn 17:1; Ro 15:6
  6. Psalm 34:3 : S Ex 15:2
  7. Psalm 34:4 : S Ex 32:11; Ps 77:2
  8. Psalm 34:4 : ver 17; Ps 18:43; 22:4; 56:13; 86:13
  9. Psalm 34:5 : S Ex 34:29
  10. Psalm 34:5 : Ps 25:3; 44:15; 69:7; 83:16
  11. Psalm 34:6 : S Ps 25:17
  12. Psalm 34:7 : S Ge 32:1; S Da 3:28; S Mt 18:10
  13. Psalm 34:7 : Ps 22:4; 37:40; 41:1; 97:10; Isa 31:5; Ac 12:11
  14. Psalm 34:8 : Heb 6:5; 1Pe 2:3
  15. Psalm 34:8 : S Ps 2:12
  16. Psalm 34:9 : S Dt 6:13; Rev 14:7
  17. Psalm 34:9 : S Ps 23:1
  18. Psalm 34:10 : S Ps 23:1
  19. Psalm 34:11 : Ps 66:16
  20. Psalm 34:11 : S Ps 32:8
  21. Psalm 34:11 : S Ps 19:9
  22. Psalm 34:12 : Ecc 3:13
  23. Psalm 34:13 : Ps 39:1; 141:3; Pr 13:3; 21:23; Jas 1:26
  24. Psalm 34:13 : S Ps 12:2; 1Pe 2:22
  25. Psalm 34:14 : Ps 37:27; Isa 1:17; 3Jn 1:11
  26. Psalm 34:14 : S Ro 14:19
  27. Psalm 34:15 : Ps 33:18
  28. Psalm 34:15 : S Job 23:10; S 36:7
  29. Psalm 34:15 : Mal 3:16; S Jn 9:31
  30. Psalm 34:16 : Lev 17:10; Jer 23:30
  31. Psalm 34:16 : 1Pe 3:10-12*
  32. Psalm 34:16 : S Ex 17:14; Ps 9:6
  33. Psalm 34:17 : Ps 145:19
  34. Psalm 34:18 : Dt 4:7; Ps 119:151; 145:18; Isa 50:8
  35. Psalm 34:18 : Ps 51:17; 109:16; 147:3; Isa 61:1
  36. Psalm 34:19 : ver 17; Ps 25:17
  37. Psalm 34:19 : S Job 5:19; 2Ti 3:11
  38. Psalm 34:20 : Jn 19:36*
  39. Psalm 34:21 : Ps 7:9; 9:16; 11:5; 37:20; 73:27; 94:23; 106:43; 112:10; 140:11; Pr 14:32; 24:16
  40. Psalm 34:22 : S Ex 6:6; S 15:13; Lk 1:68; Rev 14:3
  41. Psalm 34:22 : Ps 2:12
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.

Numbers 6:22-27

The Priestly Blessing

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless(A) the Israelites. Say to them:

24 “‘“The Lord bless you(B)
and keep you;(C)
25 the Lord make his face shine on you(D)
and be gracious to you;(E)
26 the Lord turn his face(F) toward you
and give you peace.(G)”’

27 “So they will put my name(H) on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Cross references:

  1. Numbers 6:23 : Dt 21:5; 1Ch 23:13
  2. Numbers 6:24 : S Ge 28:3; Dt 28:3-6; Ps 28:9; 128:5
  3. Numbers 6:24 : 1Sa 2:9; Ps 17:8
  4. Numbers 6:25 : Job 29:24; Ps 4:6; 31:16; 80:3; 119:135
  5. Numbers 6:25 : Ge 43:29; Ps 25:16; 86:16; 119:29
  6. Numbers 6:26 : Ps 4:6; 44:3
  7. Numbers 6:26 : Ps 4:8; 29:11; 37:11, 37; 127:2; Isa 14:7; Jer 33:6; Jn 14:27
  8. Numbers 6:27 : Dt 28:10; 2Sa 7:23; 2Ch 7:14; Ne 9:10; Jer 25:29; Eze 36:23
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.

Acts 13:1-12

13 1 Now in the church at Antioch(A) there were prophets(B) and teachers:(C) Barnabas,(D) Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,(E) Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod(F) the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,(G) “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work(H) to which I have called them.”(I) 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them(J) and sent them off.(K)

On Cyprus

4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,(L) went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.(M) 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God(N) in the Jewish synagogues.(O) John(P) was with them as their helper.

6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer(Q) and false prophet(R) named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul,(S) Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer(T) (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul(U) from the faith.(V) 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,(W) looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil(X) and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?(Y) 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you.(Z) You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”(AA)

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul(AB) saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Cross references:

  1. Acts 13:1 : S Ac 11:19
  2. Acts 13:1 : S Ac 11:27
  3. Acts 13:1 : S Eph 4:11
  4. Acts 13:1 : S Ac 4:36
  5. Acts 13:1 : S Mt 27:32
  6. Acts 13:1 : S Mt 14:1
  7. Acts 13:2 : S Ac 8:29
  8. Acts 13:2 : Ac 14:26
  9. Acts 13:2 : Ac 9:15; 22:21
  10. Acts 13:3 : S Ac 6:6
  11. Acts 13:3 : Ac 14:26
  12. Acts 13:4 : ver 2, 3
  13. Acts 13:4 : Ac 4:36
  14. Acts 13:5 : S Heb 4:12
  15. Acts 13:5 : S Ac 9:20
  16. Acts 13:5 : S Ac 12:12
  17. Acts 13:6 : Ac 8:9
  18. Acts 13:6 : S Mt 7:15
  19. Acts 13:7 : ver 8, 12; Ac 18:12; 19:38
  20. Acts 13:8 : Ac 8:9
  21. Acts 13:8 : S ver 7
  22. Acts 13:8 : Isa 30:11; Ac 6:7
  23. Acts 13:9 : S Lk 1:15
  24. Acts 13:10 : Mt 13:38; Jn 8:44
  25. Acts 13:10 : Hos 14:9
  26. Acts 13:11 : Ex 9:3; 1Sa 5:6, 7; Ps 32:4
  27. Acts 13:11 : Ge 19:10, 11; 2Ki 6:18
  28. Acts 13:12 : 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.

Luke 12:41-48

41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

42 The Lord(A) answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 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.(B) He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.(C) 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.(D) From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Cross references:

  1. Luke 12:42 : S Lk 7:13
  2. Luke 12:46 : ver 40
  3. Luke 12:47 : Dt 25:2
  4. Luke 12:48 : Lev 5:17; Nu 15:27-30
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.