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 Wed, Jul 15

Psalm 38

Psalm 38[a]

A psalm of David. A petition.

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.(A)
2 Your arrows(B) have pierced me,
and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health(C) in my body;
there is no soundness in my bones(D) because of my sin.
4 My guilt has overwhelmed(E) me
like a burden too heavy to bear.(F)

5 My wounds(G) fester and are loathsome(H)
because of my sinful folly.(I)
6 I am bowed down(J) and brought very low;
all day long I go about mourning.(K)
7 My back is filled with searing pain;(L)
there is no health(M) in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;(N)
I groan(O) in anguish of heart.(P)

9 All my longings(Q) lie open before you, Lord;
my sighing(R) is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds,(S) my strength fails(T) me;
even the light has gone from my eyes.(U)
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;(V)
my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps,(W)
those who would harm me talk of my ruin;(X)
all day long they scheme and lie.(Y)

13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,(Z)
like the mute, who cannot speak;
14 I have become like one who does not hear,
whose mouth can offer no reply.
15 Lord, I wait(AA) for you;
you will answer,(AB) Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat(AC)
or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”(AD)

17 For I am about to fall,(AE)
and my pain(AF) is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;(AG)
I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies(AH) without cause[b];
those who hate me(AI) without reason(AJ) are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil(AK)
lodge accusations(AL) against me,
though I seek only to do what is good.

21 Lord, do not forsake me;(AM)
do not be far(AN) from me, my God.
22 Come quickly(AO) to help me,(AP)
my Lord and my Savior.(AQ)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 38:1 In Hebrew texts 38:1-22 is numbered 38:2-23.
  2. Psalm 38:19 One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 38:1 : Ps 6:1
  2. Psalm 38:2 : S Job 6:4
  3. Psalm 38:3 : Pr 3:8; 4:22
  4. Psalm 38:3 : S Job 33:19
  5. Psalm 38:4 : Ps 40:12; 65:3
  6. Psalm 38:4 : S Nu 11:14; S Ezr 9:6; Lk 11:46
  7. Psalm 38:5 : ver 11; Ps 147:3
  8. Psalm 38:5 : Job 19:17
  9. Psalm 38:5 : Ps 69:5; Pr 5:23; 12:23; 13:16; Ecc 10:3
  10. Psalm 38:6 : Ps 57:6; 145:14; 146:8
  11. Psalm 38:6 : S Ps 35:14
  12. Psalm 38:7 : S Job 14:22
  13. Psalm 38:7 : ver 3
  14. Psalm 38:8 : Ps 34:18; Pr 17:22
  15. Psalm 38:8 : S Ps 6:6; 22:1; Pr 5:11
  16. Psalm 38:8 : S Ps 6:3
  17. Psalm 38:9 : Ps 119:20; 143:7
  18. Psalm 38:9 : S Job 3:24
  19. Psalm 38:10 : S Job 37:1
  20. Psalm 38:10 : S Ps 31:10
  21. Psalm 38:10 : S Ps 6:7; S 19:8; 88:9
  22. Psalm 38:11 : S ver 5
  23. Psalm 38:12 : Ps 31:4; 140:5; 141:9
  24. Psalm 38:12 : Ps 35:4; 41:5
  25. Psalm 38:12 : S Ps 35:20
  26. Psalm 38:13 : Ps 115:6; 135:17; Isa 43:8; Mk 7:37
  27. Psalm 38:15 : Ps 27:14
  28. Psalm 38:15 : Ps 17:6
  29. Psalm 38:16 : S Ps 22:17
  30. Psalm 38:16 : S Dt 32:35
  31. Psalm 38:17 : S Ps 37:24
  32. Psalm 38:17 : ver 7; S Job 6:10
  33. Psalm 38:18 : S Lev 26:40
  34. Psalm 38:19 : S Ps 18:17
  35. Psalm 38:19 : S Ps 25:19
  36. Psalm 38:19 : S Ps 35:19
  37. Psalm 38:20 : S Ge 44:4; 1Jn 3:12
  38. Psalm 38:20 : Ps 54:5; 59:10; 119:23
  39. Psalm 38:21 : Ps 27:9; 71:18; 119:8
  40. Psalm 38:21 : S Ps 10:1; S 22:11; 35:22; 71:12
  41. Psalm 38:22 : S Ps 22:19
  42. Psalm 38:22 : Ps 40:13
  43. Psalm 38:22 : S 1Ch 16:35
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 119:25-48

ד Daleth

25 I am laid low in the dust;(A)
preserve my life(B) according to your word.(C)
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.(D)
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.(E)
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;(F)
strengthen me(G) according to your word.(H)
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;(I)
be gracious to me(J) and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen(K) the way of faithfulness;(L)
I have set my heart(M) on your laws.
31 I hold fast(N) to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.

ה He

33 Teach me,(O) Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding,(P) so that I may keep your law(Q)
and obey it with all my heart.(R)
35 Direct me(S) in the path of your commands,(T)
for there I find delight.(U)
36 Turn my heart(V) toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.(W)
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life(X) according to your word.[b](Y)
38 Fulfill your promise(Z) to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace(AA) I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long(AB) for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.(AC)

ו Waw

41 May your unfailing love(AD) come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;(AE)
42 then I can answer(AF) anyone who taunts me,(AG)
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,(AH)
for I have put my hope(AI) in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,(AJ)
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.(AK)
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings(AL)
and will not be put to shame,(AM)
47 for I delight(AN) in your commands
because I love them.(AO)
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate(AP) on your decrees.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
  2. Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 119:25 : Ps 44:25
  2. Psalm 119:25 : ver 50, 107; Ps 143:11
  3. Psalm 119:25 : ver 9
  4. Psalm 119:26 : Ps 25:4; 27:11; 86:11
  5. Psalm 119:27 : Ps 105:2; 145:5
  6. Psalm 119:28 : Ps 6:7; 116:3; Isa 51:11; Jer 45:3
  7. Psalm 119:28 : Ps 18:1; Isa 40:29; 41:10
  8. Psalm 119:28 : ver 9
  9. Psalm 119:29 : Ps 26:4
  10. Psalm 119:29 : S Nu 6:25
  11. Psalm 119:30 : S Jos 24:22
  12. Psalm 119:30 : S Ps 26:3
  13. Psalm 119:30 : S Ps 108:1
  14. Psalm 119:31 : S Dt 10:20
  15. Psalm 119:33 : ver 12
  16. Psalm 119:34 : ver 27, 73, 144, 169; S Job 32:8; Pr 2:6; Da 2:21; Jas 1:5
  17. Psalm 119:34 : S Dt 6:25
  18. Psalm 119:34 : ver 69
  19. Psalm 119:35 : Ps 25:4-5
  20. Psalm 119:35 : ver 32
  21. Psalm 119:35 : S Ps 1:2
  22. Psalm 119:36 : S Jos 24:23
  23. Psalm 119:36 : Eze 33:31
  24. Psalm 119:37 : ver 25; Ps 71:20
  25. Psalm 119:37 : ver 9
  26. Psalm 119:38 : S Nu 23:19
  27. Psalm 119:39 : ver 22; Ps 69:9; 89:51; Isa 25:8; 51:7; 54:4
  28. Psalm 119:40 : ver 20
  29. Psalm 119:40 : ver 25, 149, 154
  30. Psalm 119:41 : S Ps 6:4
  31. Psalm 119:41 : ver 76, 116, 154, 170
  32. Psalm 119:42 : Pr 27:11
  33. Psalm 119:42 : S Ps 42:10
  34. Psalm 119:43 : S 1Ki 17:24
  35. Psalm 119:43 : ver 74, 81, 114, 147
  36. Psalm 119:44 : ver 33, 34, 55; S Dt 6:25
  37. Psalm 119:45 : ver 94, 155
  38. Psalm 119:46 : Mt 10:18; Ac 26:1-2
  39. Psalm 119:46 : S ver 6
  40. Psalm 119:47 : ver 77, 143; S Ps 112:1
  41. Psalm 119:47 : ver 97, 127, 159, 163, 165
  42. Psalm 119:48 : S Ge 24:63
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.

Joshua 3:1-13

Crossing the Jordan

3 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim(A) and went to the Jordan,(B) where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days(C) the officers(D) went throughout the camp,(E) 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant(F) of the Lord your God, and the Levitical(G) priests(H) carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits[a](I) between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves,(J) for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things(K) among you.”

6 Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.

7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you(L) in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.(M) 8 Tell the priests(N) who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”

9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God(O) is among you(P) and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites,(Q) Hivites, Perizzites,(R) Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.(S) 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth(T) will go into the Jordan ahead of you.(U) 12 Now then, choose twelve men(V) from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth(W)—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream(X) will be cut off(Y) and stand up in a heap.(Z)”

Footnotes:

  1. Joshua 3:4 That is, about 3,000 feet or about 900 meters

Cross references:

  1. Joshua 3:1 : S Jos 2:1
  2. Joshua 3:1 : S Ge 13:10; Job 40:23
  3. Joshua 3:2 : S Ge 40:13; Jos 2:16
  4. Joshua 3:2 : S Dt 1:15
  5. Joshua 3:2 : Jos 1:11
  6. Joshua 3:3 : S Nu 10:33
  7. Joshua 3:3 : 1Sa 6:15
  8. Joshua 3:3 : ver 8, 17; Nu 4:15; Dt 31:9; 1Ki 8:3
  9. Joshua 3:4 : Nu 35:5
  10. Joshua 3:5 : S Ex 29:1; S Lev 11:44
  11. Joshua 3:5 : Jdg 6:13; 1Ch 16:9, 24; Ps 26:7; 75:1
  12. Joshua 3:7 : Jos 4:14; 1Ch 29:25
  13. Joshua 3:7 : Jos 1:5
  14. Joshua 3:8 : S ver 3
  15. Joshua 3:10 : Dt 5:26; 1Sa 17:26, 36; 2Ki 19:4, 16; Ps 18:46; 42:2; 84:2; Isa 37:4, 17; Jer 10:10; 23:36; Da 6:26; Hos 1:10; S Mt 16:16
  16. Joshua 3:10 : S Dt 7:21
  17. Joshua 3:10 : S Ge 26:34
  18. Joshua 3:10 : Jos 17:15; 24:11; Jdg 1:4; 3:5
  19. Joshua 3:10 : S Ex 3:8; S 23:23; S Dt 7:1; Jos 9:1; 11:3; 12:8; Jdg 19:11; 1Ch 11:4
  20. Joshua 3:11 : ver 13; Ex 19:5; Dt 10:14; Job 9:10; 28:24; 41:11; Ps 50:12; 97:5; Zec 6:5
  21. Joshua 3:11 : S Dt 9:3
  22. Joshua 3:12 : Jos 4:2, 4
  23. Joshua 3:13 : S ver 11
  24. Joshua 3:13 : ver 16
  25. Joshua 3:13 : Jos 4:7
  26. Joshua 3:13 : S Ex 14:22; S Isa 11:15
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.

Romans 11:25-36

All Israel Will Be Saved

25 I do not want you to be ignorant(A) of this mystery,(B) brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited:(C) Israel has experienced a hardening(D) in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,(E) 26 and in this way[a] all Israel will be saved.(F) As it is written:

“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[b] my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”[c](G)

28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies(H) for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,(I) 29 for God’s gifts and his call(J) are irrevocable.(K) 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient(L) to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[d] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience(M) so that he may have mercy on them all.

Doxology

33 Oh, the depth of the riches(N) of the wisdom and[e] knowledge of God!(O)
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!(P)
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”[f](Q)
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”[g](R)
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.(S)
To him be the glory forever! Amen.(T)

Footnotes:

  1. Romans 11:26 Or and so
  2. Romans 11:27 Or will be
  3. Romans 11:27 Isaiah 59:20,21; 27:9 (see Septuagint); Jer. 31:33,34
  4. Romans 11:31 Some manuscripts do not have now.
  5. Romans 11:33 Or riches and the wisdom and the
  6. Romans 11:34 Isaiah 40:13
  7. Romans 11:35 Job 41:11

Cross references:

  1. Romans 11:25 : Ro 1:13; 1Co 10:1; 12:1; 2Co 1:8; 1Th 4:13
  2. Romans 11:25 : S Ro 16:25
  3. Romans 11:25 : Ro 12:16
  4. Romans 11:25 : ver 7; S Ro 9:18
  5. Romans 11:25 : Lk 21:24
  6. Romans 11:26 : Isa 45:17; Jer 31:34
  7. Romans 11:27 : Isa 59:20, 21; 27:9; Heb 8:10, 12
  8. Romans 11:28 : Ro 5:10
  9. Romans 11:28 : Dt 7:8; 10:15; Ro 9:5
  10. Romans 11:29 : S Ro 8:28
  11. Romans 11:29 : S Heb 7:21
  12. Romans 11:30 : S Eph 2:2
  13. Romans 11:32 : S Ro 3:9
  14. Romans 11:33 : S Ro 2:4
  15. Romans 11:33 : Ps 92:5; Eph 3:10; Col 2:3
  16. Romans 11:33 : Job 5:9; 11:7; Ps 139:6; Ecc 8:17; Isa 40:28
  17. Romans 11:34 : Isa 40:13, 14; Job 15:8; 36:22; Jer 23:18; 1Co 2:16
  18. Romans 11:35 : Job 41:11; 35:7
  19. Romans 11:36 : 1Co 8:6; 11:12; Col 1:16; Heb 2:10
  20. Romans 11:36 : Ro 16:27; Eph 3:21; 1Ti 1:17; 1Pe 5:11; Jude 25; Rev 5:13; 7:12
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 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

31 “When the Son of Man comes(A) in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.(B) 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate(C) the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.(D) 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom(E) prepared for you since the creation of the world.(F) 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,(G) 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,(H) I was sick and you looked after me,(I) I was in prison and you came to visit me.’(J)

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’(K)

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me,(L) you who are cursed, into the eternal fire(M) prepared for the devil and his angels.(N) 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’(O)

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.(P)”(Q)

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 25:31 : S Lk 17:30
  2. Matthew 25:31 : Mt 19:28
  3. Matthew 25:32 : Mal 3:18
  4. Matthew 25:32 : Eze 34:17, 20
  5. Matthew 25:34 : S Mt 3:2; 5:3, 10, 19; 19:14; S Ac 20:32; 1Co 15:50; Gal 5:21; Jas 2:5
  6. Matthew 25:34 : Heb 4:3; 9:26; Rev 13:8; 17:8
  7. Matthew 25:35 : Job 31:32; Heb 13:2
  8. Matthew 25:36 : Isa 58:7; Eze 18:7; Jas 2:15, 16
  9. Matthew 25:36 : Jas 1:27
  10. Matthew 25:36 : 2Ti 1:16
  11. Matthew 25:40 : S Mt 10:40, 42; Heb 13:2
  12. Matthew 25:41 : S Mt 7:23
  13. Matthew 25:41 : Isa 66:24; Mt 3:12; S 5:22; Mk 9:43, 48; Lk 3:17; Jude 7
  14. Matthew 25:41 : 2Pe 2:4
  15. Matthew 25:45 : Pr 14:31; 17:5
  16. Matthew 25:46 : Mt 19:29; Jn 3:15, 16, 36; 17:2, 3; Ro 2:7; Gal 6:8; 1Jn 1:2; 5:11, 13, 20
  17. Matthew 25:46 : Da 12:2; Jn 5:29; Ac 24:15; Ro 2:7, 8; Gal 6:8
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.