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, Nov 25

Psalm 120-127

Psalm 120

A song of ascents.

1 I call on the Lord(A) in my distress,(B)
and he answers me.
2 Save me, Lord,
from lying lips(C)
and from deceitful tongues.(D)

3 What will he do to you,
and what more besides,
you deceitful tongue?
4 He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,(E)
with burning coals of the broom bush.

5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek,
that I live among the tents of Kedar!(F)
6 Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace;
but when I speak, they are for war.

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven(G) and earth.(H)

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches(I) over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over(J) you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun(K) will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm(L)—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.(M)

Psalm 122

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love(N) you be secure.
7 May there be peace(O) within your walls
and security within your citadels.(P)”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity.(Q)

Psalm 123

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned(R) in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord(S) our God,
till he shows us his mercy.

3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us,
for we have endured no end of contempt.
4 We have endured no end
of ridicule from the arrogant,
of contempt from the proud.

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say(T)—
2 if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood(U) would have engulfed us,
the torrent(V) would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the Lord,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler’s snare;(W)
the snare has been broken,(X)
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name(Y) of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven(Z) and earth.

Psalm 125

A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,(AA)
which cannot be shaken(AB) but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,(AC)
so the Lord surrounds(AD) his people
both now and forevermore.

3 The scepter(AE) of the wicked will not remain(AF)
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.(AG)

4 Lord, do good(AH) to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.(AI)
5 But those who turn(AJ) to crooked ways(AK)
the Lord will banish(AL) with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.(AM)

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored(AN) the fortunes of[a] Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.[b]
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,(AO)
our tongues with songs of joy.(AP)
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things(AQ) for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things(AR) for us,
and we are filled with joy.(AS)

4 Restore our fortunes,[c](AT) Lord,
like streams in the Negev.(AU)
5 Those who sow with tears(AV)
will reap(AW) with songs of joy.(AX)
6 Those who go out weeping,(AY)
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the Lord builds(AZ) the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches(BA) over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food(BB) to eat—
for he grants sleep(BC) to[d] those he loves.(BD)

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward(BE) from him.
4 Like arrows(BF) in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.(BG)
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents(BH) in court.(BI)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 126:1 Or Lord brought back the captives to
  2. Psalm 126:1 Or those restored to health
  3. Psalm 126:4 Or Bring back our captives
  4. Psalm 127:2 Or eat— / for while they sleep he provides for

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 120:1 : S Ps 18:6
  2. Psalm 120:1 : S 2Sa 22:7; S Ps 118:5
  3. Psalm 120:2 : S Ps 31:18
  4. Psalm 120:2 : S Ps 52:4
  5. Psalm 120:4 : S Dt 32:23
  6. Psalm 120:5 : S Ge 25:13; Jer 2:10
  7. Psalm 121:2 : S Ge 1:1
  8. Psalm 121:2 : S Ps 104:5; Ps 115:15
  9. Psalm 121:4 : Ps 127:1
  10. Psalm 121:5 : S Ps 1:6
  11. Psalm 121:6 : Isa 49:10
  12. Psalm 121:7 : S Ps 9:9
  13. Psalm 121:8 : Dt 28:6
  14. Psalm 122:6 : S Ps 26:8
  15. Psalm 122:7 : S 1Sa 25:6
  16. Psalm 122:7 : S Ps 48:3
  17. Psalm 122:9 : Ps 128:5
  18. Psalm 123:1 : S Ps 68:5; Isa 6:1; 63:15
  19. Psalm 123:2 : S Ps 25:15
  20. Psalm 124:1 : Ps 129:1
  21. Psalm 124:4 : Ps 88:17
  22. Psalm 124:4 : S Ps 18:4
  23. Psalm 124:7 : S Ps 91:3
  24. Psalm 124:7 : Ps 25:15
  25. Psalm 124:8 : S 1Sa 17:45
  26. Psalm 124:8 : Ge 1:1; Ps 115:15; 121:2; 134:3
  27. Psalm 125:1 : Ps 48:12; Isa 33:20
  28. Psalm 125:1 : Ps 46:5; 48:2-5
  29. Psalm 125:2 : S 1Ch 21:15
  30. Psalm 125:2 : Ps 32:10; Zec 2:4-5
  31. Psalm 125:3 : S Est 4:11
  32. Psalm 125:3 : Ps 89:22; Pr 22:8; Isa 13:11; 14:5
  33. Psalm 125:3 : 1Sa 24:10
  34. Psalm 125:4 : S Ps 119:65
  35. Psalm 125:4 : S Ps 36:10
  36. Psalm 125:5 : S Job 23:11
  37. Psalm 125:5 : Pr 2:15; Isa 59:8
  38. Psalm 125:5 : Ps 92:7
  39. Psalm 125:5 : Ps 128:6; Gal 6:16
  40. Psalm 126:1 : Ezr 1:1-3; Ps 85:1; Hos 6:11
  41. Psalm 126:2 : S Ge 21:6
  42. Psalm 126:2 : S Job 8:21; S Ps 65:8
  43. Psalm 126:2 : S Dt 10:21; Ps 71:19; Lk 1:49
  44. Psalm 126:3 : Ps 106:21; Joel 2:21, 26
  45. Psalm 126:3 : S Ps 9:2; 16:11
  46. Psalm 126:4 : S Dt 30:3
  47. Psalm 126:4 : S Ps 107:35; Isa 43:19; 51:3
  48. Psalm 126:5 : Ps 6:6; 80:5; Jer 50:4
  49. Psalm 126:5 : Gal 6:9
  50. Psalm 126:5 : Ps 16:11; 20:5; 23:6; Isa 35:10; 51:11; 60:15; 61:7; Jer 31:6-7, 12
  51. Psalm 126:6 : S Nu 25:6; S Ps 30:5
  52. Psalm 127:1 : Ps 78:69
  53. Psalm 127:1 : Ps 121:4
  54. Psalm 127:2 : S Ge 3:17
  55. Psalm 127:2 : S Nu 6:26; S Job 11:18
  56. Psalm 127:2 : S Dt 33:12; Ecc 2:25
  57. Psalm 127:3 : S Ge 1:28
  58. Psalm 127:4 : Ps 112:2
  59. Psalm 127:5 : Ps 128:2-3
  60. Psalm 127:5 : S Ge 24:60
  61. Psalm 127:5 : S Ge 23:10
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.

Nahum 1:1-13

1 A prophecy(A) concerning Nineveh.(B) The book of the vision(C) of Nahum the Elkoshite.

The Lord’s Anger Against Nineveh

2 The Lord is a jealous(D) and avenging God;
the Lord takes vengeance(E) and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes
and vents his wrath against his enemies.(F)
3 The Lord is slow to anger(G) but great in power;
the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.(H)
His way is in the whirlwind(I) and the storm,(J)
and clouds(K) are the dust of his feet.
4 He rebukes(L) the sea and dries it up;(M)
he makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel(N) wither
and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.
5 The mountains quake(O) before him
and the hills melt away.(P)
The earth trembles(Q) at his presence,
the world and all who live in it.(R)
6 Who can withstand(S) his indignation?
Who can endure(T) his fierce anger?(U)
His wrath is poured out like fire;(V)
the rocks are shattered(W) before him.

7 The Lord is good,(X)
a refuge in times of trouble.(Y)
He cares for(Z) those who trust in him,(AA)
8 but with an overwhelming flood(AB)
he will make an end of Nineveh;
he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

9 Whatever they plot(AC) against the Lord
he will bring[a] to an end;
trouble will not come a second time.
10 They will be entangled among thorns(AD)
and drunk(AE) from their wine;
they will be consumed like dry stubble.[b](AF)
11 From you, Nineveh, has one come forth
who plots evil against the Lord
and devises wicked plans.

12 This is what the Lord says:

“Although they have allies and are numerous,
they will be destroyed(AG) and pass away.
Although I have afflicted you, Judah,
I will afflict you no more.(AH)
13 Now I will break their yoke(AI) from your neck
and tear your shackles away.”(AJ)

Footnotes:

  1. Nahum 1:9 Or What do you foes plot against the Lord? / He will bring it
  2. Nahum 1:10 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.

Cross references:

  1. Nahum 1:1 : S Isa 13:1; 19:1; Jer 23:33-34
  2. Nahum 1:1 : S Ge 10:11; S Jer 50:18; Na 2:8; 3:7
  3. Nahum 1:1 : S Isa 1:1
  4. Nahum 1:2 : S Ex 20:5
  5. Nahum 1:2 : S Ge 4:24; S Dt 32:41; Ps 94:1
  6. Nahum 1:2 : S Dt 7:10
  7. Nahum 1:3 : S Ne 9:17
  8. Nahum 1:3 : S Ex 34:7
  9. Nahum 1:3 : S Ex 14:21; S 2Ki 2:1
  10. Nahum 1:3 : S Ps 50:3
  11. Nahum 1:3 : S 2Sa 22:10; S Ps 104:3
  12. Nahum 1:4 : S 2Sa 22:16
  13. Nahum 1:4 : S Ex 14:22
  14. Nahum 1:4 : S Isa 33:9
  15. Nahum 1:5 : S Ex 19:18; S Job 9:6
  16. Nahum 1:5 : S Mic 1:4
  17. Nahum 1:5 : S Joel 2:10
  18. Nahum 1:5 : S Eze 38:20
  19. Nahum 1:6 : S Ps 130:3
  20. Nahum 1:6 : S Eze 22:14
  21. Nahum 1:6 : S Ps 76:7
  22. Nahum 1:6 : S Isa 5:24-25; S 42:25; S Jer 10:10
  23. Nahum 1:6 : 1Ki 19:11
  24. Nahum 1:7 : S Jer 33:11
  25. Nahum 1:7 : S Jer 17:17
  26. Nahum 1:7 : S Ps 1:6
  27. Nahum 1:7 : S Ps 22:9
  28. Nahum 1:8 : S Isa 8:7; S Da 9:26
  29. Nahum 1:9 : S Hos 7:15
  30. Nahum 1:10 : S 2Sa 23:6
  31. Nahum 1:10 : S Isa 49:26
  32. Nahum 1:10 : S Isa 5:24; Mal 4:1
  33. Nahum 1:12 : S Isa 10:34
  34. Nahum 1:12 : Isa 54:6-8; S La 3:31-32
  35. Nahum 1:13 : S Isa 9:4
  36. Nahum 1:13 : S Job 12:18; S Ps 107:14
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 Peter 1:13-25

Be Holy

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,(A) set your hope(B) on the grace to be brought to you(C) when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.(D) 14 As obedient(E) children, do not conform(F) to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.(G) 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;(H) 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a](I)

17 Since you call on a Father(J) who judges each person’s work(K) impartially,(L) live out your time as foreigners(M) here in reverent fear.(N) 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed(O) from the empty way of life(P) handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood(Q) of Christ, a lamb(R) without blemish or defect.(S) 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world,(T) but was revealed in these last times(U) for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God,(V) who raised him from the dead(W) and glorified him,(X) and so your faith and hope(Y) are in God.

22 Now that you have purified(Z) yourselves by obeying(AA) the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply,(AB) from the heart.[b] 23 For you have been born again,(AC) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,(AD) through the living and enduring word of God.(AE) 24 For,

“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[c](AF)

And this is the word that was preached to you.

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Peter 1:16 Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2
  2. 1 Peter 1:22 Some early manuscripts from a pure heart
  3. 1 Peter 1:25 Isaiah 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)

Cross references:

  1. 1 Peter 1:13 : S Ac 24:25
  2. 1 Peter 1:13 : ver 3, 21; S Heb 3:6
  3. 1 Peter 1:13 : ver 10
  4. 1 Peter 1:13 : ver 7; S 1Co 1:7
  5. 1 Peter 1:14 : ver 2, 22
  6. 1 Peter 1:14 : Ro 12:2
  7. 1 Peter 1:14 : Eph 4:18
  8. 1 Peter 1:15 : Isa 35:8; 1Th 4:7; 1Jn 3:3
  9. 1 Peter 1:16 : Lev 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7
  10. 1 Peter 1:17 : S Mt 6:9
  11. 1 Peter 1:17 : S Mt 16:27
  12. 1 Peter 1:17 : S Ac 10:34
  13. 1 Peter 1:17 : S Heb 11:13
  14. 1 Peter 1:17 : Heb 12:28
  15. 1 Peter 1:18 : S Mt 20:28; S 1Co 6:20
  16. 1 Peter 1:18 : Gal 4:3
  17. 1 Peter 1:19 : S Ro 3:25
  18. 1 Peter 1:19 : S Jn 1:29
  19. 1 Peter 1:19 : Ex 12:5
  20. 1 Peter 1:20 : Eph 1:4; S Mt 25:34
  21. 1 Peter 1:20 : Heb 9:26
  22. 1 Peter 1:21 : Ro 4:24; 10:9
  23. 1 Peter 1:21 : S Ac 2:24
  24. 1 Peter 1:21 : Php 2:7-9; Heb 2:9
  25. 1 Peter 1:21 : ver 3, 13; S Heb 3:6
  26. 1 Peter 1:22 : Jas 4:8
  27. 1 Peter 1:22 : ver 2, 14
  28. 1 Peter 1:22 : S Jn 13:34; S Ro 12:10
  29. 1 Peter 1:23 : ver 3; S Jn 1:13
  30. 1 Peter 1:23 : Jn 1:13
  31. 1 Peter 1:23 : S Heb 4:12
  32. 1 Peter 1:25 : Isa 40:6-8; S Jas 1:10, 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.

Matthew 19:13-22

The Little Children and Jesus(A)

13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them(B) and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs(C) to such as these.”(D) 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God(E)

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life(F)?”(G)

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”(H)

18 “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery,(I) you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’[a](J) and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”(K)

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect,(L) go, sell your possessions and give to the poor,(M) and you will have treasure in heaven.(N) Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 19:19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
  2. Matthew 19:19 Lev. 19:18

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 19:13 : 19:13-15pp — Mk 10:13-16; Lk 18:15-17
  2. Matthew 19:13 : S Mk 5:23
  3. Matthew 19:14 : S Mt 25:34
  4. Matthew 19:14 : Mt 18:3; 1Pe 2:2
  5. Matthew 19:16 : 19:16-29pp — Mk 10:17-30; Lk 18:18-30
  6. Matthew 19:16 : S Mt 25:46
  7. Matthew 19:16 : Lk 10:25
  8. Matthew 19:17 : Lev 18:5
  9. Matthew 19:18 : Jas 2:11
  10. Matthew 19:19 : Ex 20:12-16; Dt 5:16-20
  11. Matthew 19:19 : Lev 19:18; S Mt 5:43
  12. Matthew 19:21 : Mt 5:48
  13. Matthew 19:21 : S Ac 2:45
  14. Matthew 19:21 : S Mt 6:20
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.