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 Sat, Dec 21

Psalm 23

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd,(A) I lack nothing.(B)
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,(C)
3 he refreshes my soul.(D)
He guides me(E) along the right paths(F)
for his name’s sake.(G)
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a](H)
I will fear no evil,(I)
for you are with me;(J)
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table(K) before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;(L)
my cup(M) overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love(N) will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of the shadow of death

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 23:1 : S Ge 48:15; S Ps 28:9; S Jn 10:11
  2. Psalm 23:1 : Ps 34:9, 10; 84:11; 107:9; Php 4:19
  3. Psalm 23:2 : Ps 36:8; 46:4; Rev 7:17
  4. Psalm 23:3 : S Ps 19:7
  5. Psalm 23:3 : Ps 25:9; 73:24; Isa 42:16
  6. Psalm 23:3 : S Ps 5:8
  7. Psalm 23:3 : Ps 25:11; 31:3; 79:9; 106:8; 109:21; 143:11
  8. Psalm 23:4 : S Job 3:5; Ps 107:14
  9. Psalm 23:4 : Ps 3:6; 27:1
  10. Psalm 23:4 : Ps 16:8; Isa 43:2
  11. Psalm 23:5 : S Job 36:16
  12. Psalm 23:5 : Ps 45:7; 92:10; Lk 7:46
  13. Psalm 23:5 : S Ps 16:5
  14. Psalm 23:6 : S Ne 9:25
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.

Psalm 121

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(A) and earth.(B)

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

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

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

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 121:2 : S Ge 1:1
  2. Psalm 121:2 : S Ps 104:5; Ps 115:15
  3. Psalm 121:4 : Ps 127:1
  4. Psalm 121:5 : S Ps 1:6
  5. Psalm 121:6 : Isa 49:10
  6. Psalm 121:7 : S Ps 9:9
  7. Psalm 121:8 : Dt 28:6
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.

Job 42:1-6

Job

42 Then Job replied to the Lord:

2 “I know that you can do all things;(A)
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.(B)
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’(C)
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.(D)

4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’(E)
5 My ears had heard of you(F)
but now my eyes have seen you.(G)
6 Therefore I despise myself(H)
and repent(I) in dust and ashes.”(J)

Cross references:

  1. Job 42:2 : S Ge 18:14; S Mt 19:26
  2. Job 42:2 : S 2Ch 20:6; S Job 16:19; Ac 4:28; Eph 1:11
  3. Job 42:3 : S Job 34:35
  4. Job 42:3 : S Job 5:9
  5. Job 42:4 : S Job 38:3
  6. Job 42:5 : S Job 26:14; Ro 10:17
  7. Job 42:5 : Jdg 13:22; Isa 6:5; S Mt 5:8; Lk 2:30; Eph 1:17-18
  8. Job 42:6 : Job 40:4; Eze 6:9; Ro 12:3
  9. Job 42:6 : S Job 34:33
  10. Job 42:6 : S Ex 10:3; S Ezr 9:6; S Job 2:8; S 6:29
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 1:3-9

Praise to God for a Living Hope

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!(A) In his great mercy(B) he has given us new birth(C) into a living hope(D) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,(E) 4 and into an inheritance(F) that can never perish, spoil or fade.(G) This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,(H) 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power(I) until the coming of the salvation(J) that is ready to be revealed(K) in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice,(L) though now for a little while(M) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.(N) 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness(O) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire(P)—may result in praise, glory and honor(Q) when Jesus Christ is revealed.(R) 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him(S) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.(T)

Cross references:

  1. 1 Peter 1:3 : 2Co 1:3; Eph 1:3
  2. 1 Peter 1:3 : Tit 3:5
  3. 1 Peter 1:3 : ver 23; S Jn 1:13
  4. 1 Peter 1:3 : ver 13, 21; S Heb 3:6
  5. 1 Peter 1:3 : 1Co 15:20; 1Pe 3:21
  6. 1 Peter 1:4 : S Ac 20:32; S Ro 8:17
  7. 1 Peter 1:4 : 1Pe 5:4
  8. 1 Peter 1:4 : Col 1:5; 2Ti 4:8
  9. 1 Peter 1:5 : 1Sa 2:9; Jn 10:28
  10. 1 Peter 1:5 : S Ro 11:14
  11. 1 Peter 1:5 : S Ro 8:18
  12. 1 Peter 1:6 : Ro 5:2
  13. 1 Peter 1:6 : 1Pe 5:10
  14. 1 Peter 1:6 : Jas 1:2; 1Pe 4:12
  15. 1 Peter 1:7 : Jas 1:3
  16. 1 Peter 1:7 : Job 23:10; Ps 66:10; Pr 17:3; Isa 48:10
  17. 1 Peter 1:7 : 2Co 4:17
  18. 1 Peter 1:7 : ver 13; S 1Th 2:19; 1Pe 4:13
  19. 1 Peter 1:8 : Jn 20:29
  20. 1 Peter 1:9 : Ro 6:22
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 27

Psalm 27

Of David.

1 The Lord is my light(A) and my salvation(B)—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold(C) of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?(D)

2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.(E)
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;(F)
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.(G)

4 One thing(H) I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,(I)
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble(J)
he will keep me safe(K) in his dwelling;
he will hide me(L) in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.(M)

6 Then my head will be exalted(N)
above the enemies who surround me;(O)
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice(P) with shouts of joy;(Q)
I will sing(R) and make music(S) to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice(T) when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.(U)
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!(V)”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face(W) from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;(X)
you have been my helper.(Y)
Do not reject me or forsake(Z) me,
God my Savior.(AA)
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way,(AB) Lord;
lead me in a straight path(AC)
because of my oppressors.(AD)
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses(AE) rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord(AF)
in the land of the living.(AG)
14 Wait(AH) for the Lord;
be strong(AI) and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 27:2 Or slander

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 27:1 : S 2Sa 22:29
  2. Psalm 27:1 : S Ex 15:2; S Ps 3:8
  3. Psalm 27:1 : Ps 9:9
  4. Psalm 27:1 : S Job 13:15; Ps 56:4, 11; 118:6
  5. Psalm 27:2 : Ps 9:3; S 20:8; 37:24; Da 11:19; Ro 11:11
  6. Psalm 27:3 : S Ge 4:7; S Ps 3:6
  7. Psalm 27:3 : S Job 4:6
  8. Psalm 27:4 : Lk 10:42
  9. Psalm 27:4 : Ps 23:6; 61:4
  10. Psalm 27:5 : S Job 38:23
  11. Psalm 27:5 : S Ps 12:7
  12. Psalm 27:5 : S Ps 17:8
  13. Psalm 27:5 : Ps 40:2
  14. Psalm 27:6 : 2Sa 22:49; Ps 3:3; 18:48
  15. Psalm 27:6 : S Ps 22:12
  16. Psalm 27:6 : Ps 50:14; 54:6; 107:22; 116:17
  17. Psalm 27:6 : S Ezr 3:13; S Job 22:26
  18. Psalm 27:6 : S Ex 15:1
  19. Psalm 27:6 : Ps 33:2; 92:1; 147:7; S Eph 5:19
  20. Psalm 27:7 : Ps 5:3; 18:6; 55:17; 119:149; 130:2; Isa 28:23
  21. Psalm 27:7 : S Ps 4:1
  22. Psalm 27:8 : S 1Ch 16:11
  23. Psalm 27:9 : S Dt 31:17; S Ps 22:24
  24. Psalm 27:9 : S Ps 2:5
  25. Psalm 27:9 : S Ge 49:25; S Dt 33:29
  26. Psalm 27:9 : S Dt 4:31; Ps 37:28; 119:8; Isa 41:17; 62:12; Jer 14:9
  27. Psalm 27:9 : Ps 18:46
  28. Psalm 27:11 : S Ex 33:13
  29. Psalm 27:11 : S Ezr 8:21; Ps 5:8
  30. Psalm 27:11 : Ps 72:4; 78:42; 106:10; Jer 21:12
  31. Psalm 27:12 : S Dt 19:16; S Mt 26:60; Ac 6:13; 1Co 15:15
  32. Psalm 27:13 : Ex 33:19; S 2Ch 6:41; Ps 23:6; 31:19; 145:7
  33. Psalm 27:13 : S Job 28:13
  34. Psalm 27:14 : Ps 33:20; 130:5, 6; Isa 8:17; 30:18; Hab 2:3; Zep 3:8; Ac 1:4
  35. Psalm 27:14 : S Dt 1:21; S Jdg 5:21; S Eph 6:10
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.

John 14:1-7

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.(A) You believe(B) in God[a];(C) believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there(D) to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back(E) and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.(F) 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

5 Thomas(G) said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am(H) the way(I) and the truth(J) and the life.(K) No one comes to the Father except through me.(L) 7 If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well.(M) From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Footnotes:

  1. John 14:1 Or Believe in God
  2. John 14:7 Some manuscripts If you really knew me, you would know

Cross references:

  1. John 14:1 : ver 27
  2. John 14:1 : S Jn 3:15
  3. John 14:1 : Ps 4:5
  4. John 14:2 : Jn 13:33, 36; 16:5
  5. John 14:3 : ver 18, 28; S Mt 16:27
  6. John 14:3 : S Jn 12:26
  7. John 14:5 : S Jn 11:16
  8. John 14:6 : S Jn 6:35
  9. John 14:6 : Jn 10:9; Eph 2:18; Heb 10:20
  10. John 14:6 : Jn 1:14
  11. John 14:6 : S Jn 1:4
  12. John 14:6 : Ac 4:12
  13. John 14:7 : Jn 1:18; S 1Jn 2:23
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.