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, Oct 14

Psalm 5-6

Psalm 5[a]

For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.

1 Listen(A) to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.(B)
2 Hear my cry for help,(C)
my King and my God,(D)
for to you I pray.

3 In the morning,(E) Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.(F)
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people(G) are not welcome.
5 The arrogant(H) cannot stand(I)
in your presence.
You hate(J) all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.(K)
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence(L) I bow down(M)
toward your holy temple.(N)

8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness(O)
because of my enemies—
make your way straight(P) before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;(Q)
with their tongues they tell lies.(R)
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,(S)
for they have rebelled(T) against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.(U)
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name(V) may rejoice in you.(W)

12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;(X)
you surround them(Y) with your favor as with a shield.(Z)

Psalm 6[b]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith.[c] A psalm of David.

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger(AA)
or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me,(AB) Lord, for I am faint;(AC)
heal me,(AD) Lord, for my bones are in agony.(AE)
3 My soul is in deep anguish.(AF)
How long,(AG) Lord, how long?

4 Turn,(AH) Lord, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.(AI)
5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
Who praises you from the grave?(AJ)

6 I am worn out(AK) from my groaning.(AL)

All night long I flood my bed with weeping(AM)
and drench my couch with tears.(AN)
7 My eyes grow weak(AO) with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.

8 Away from me,(AP) all you who do evil,(AQ)
for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;(AR)
the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;(AS)
they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.(AT)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 5:1 In Hebrew texts 5:1-12 is numbered 5:2-13.
  2. Psalm 6:1 In Hebrew texts 6:1-10 is numbered 6:2-11.
  3. Psalm 6:1 Title: Probably a musical term

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 5:1 : S 1Ki 8:29; Ps 17:1; 40:1; 116:2; Da 9:18
  2. Psalm 5:1 : Ps 38:9; Isa 35:10; 51:11
  3. Psalm 5:2 : S Job 19:7; S 24:12; S 36:5
  4. Psalm 5:2 : Ps 44:4; 68:24; 84:3
  5. Psalm 5:3 : Isa 28:19; 50:4; Jer 21:12; Eze 46:13; Zep 3:5
  6. Psalm 5:3 : Ps 62:1; 119:81; 130:5; Hab 2:1; Ro 8:19
  7. Psalm 5:4 : Ps 1:5; 11:5; 104:35; Pr 2:22
  8. Psalm 5:5 : 2Ki 19:32; Ps 73:3; 75:4; Isa 33:19; 37:33
  9. Psalm 5:5 : Ps 1:5
  10. Psalm 5:5 : Ps 45:7; 101:3; 119:104; Pr 8:13
  11. Psalm 5:6 : Pr 19:22; S Jn 8:44; Ac 5:3; Rev 21:8
  12. Psalm 5:7 : Dt 13:4; Jer 44:10; Da 6:26
  13. Psalm 5:7 : S 2Sa 12:16; Ps 138:2
  14. Psalm 5:7 : S 1Ki 8:48
  15. Psalm 5:8 : Ps 23:3; 31:1; 71:2; 85:13; 89:16; Pr 8:20
  16. Psalm 5:8 : S 1Ki 8:36; Jn 1:23
  17. Psalm 5:9 : Jer 5:16; Lk 11:44
  18. Psalm 5:9 : Ps 12:2; 28:3; 36:3; Pr 15:4; Jer 9:8; Ro 3:13*
  19. Psalm 5:10 : La 1:5
  20. Psalm 5:10 : Ps 78:40; 106:7; 107:11; La 3:42
  21. Psalm 5:11 : Ps 33:1; 81:1; 90:14; 92:4; 95:1; 145:7
  22. Psalm 5:11 : Ps 69:36; 119:132
  23. Psalm 5:11 : S Job 22:19
  24. Psalm 5:12 : Ps 112:2
  25. Psalm 5:12 : Ps 32:7
  26. Psalm 5:12 : S Ge 15:1
  27. Psalm 6:1 : S Ps 2:5
  28. Psalm 6:2 : Ps 4:1; 26:11; Jer 3:12; 12:15; 31:20
  29. Psalm 6:2 : Ps 61:2; 77:3; 142:3; Isa 40:31; Jer 8:18; Eze 21:7
  30. Psalm 6:2 : S Nu 12:13
  31. Psalm 6:2 : Ps 22:14; 31:10; 32:3; 38:3; 42:10; 102:3
  32. Psalm 6:3 : S Job 7:11; Ps 31:7; 38:8; 55:4; S Jn 12:27; Ro 9:2; 2Co 2:4
  33. Psalm 6:3 : 1Sa 1:14; 1Ki 18:21; Ps 4:2; 89:46; Isa 6:11; Jer 4:14; Hab 1:2; Zec 1:12
  34. Psalm 6:4 : Ps 25:16; 31:2; 69:16; 71:2; 86:16; 88:2; 102:2; 119:132
  35. Psalm 6:4 : Ps 13:5; 31:16; 77:8; 85:7; 119:41; Isa 54:8, 10
  36. Psalm 6:5 : Ps 30:9; 88:10-12; 115:17; Ecc 9:10; Isa 38:18
  37. Psalm 6:6 : S Jdg 8:5
  38. Psalm 6:6 : S Job 3:24; S 23:2; Ps 12:5; 77:3; 102:5; La 1:8, 11, 21, 22
  39. Psalm 6:6 : S Job 16:16
  40. Psalm 6:6 : S Job 7:3; Lk 7:38; Ac 20:19
  41. Psalm 6:7 : S Job 16:8; Ps 31:9; 69:3; 119:82; Isa 38:14
  42. Psalm 6:8 : Ps 119:115; 139:19
  43. Psalm 6:8 : Ps 5:5; S Mt 7:23
  44. Psalm 6:9 : Ps 28:6; 116:1
  45. Psalm 6:10 : S 2Ki 19:26
  46. Psalm 6:10 : Ps 40:14
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.

Psalm 10-11

Psalm 10[a]

1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off?(A)
Why do you hide yourself(B) in times of trouble?

2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,(C)
who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts(D) about the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.(E)
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.(F)
5 His ways are always prosperous;
your laws are rejected by[b] him;
he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.”
He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”(G)

7 His mouth is full(H) of lies and threats;(I)
trouble and evil are under his tongue.(J)
8 He lies in wait(K) near the villages;
from ambush he murders the innocent.(L)
His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
9 like a lion in cover he lies in wait.
He lies in wait to catch the helpless;(M)
he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.(N)
10 His victims are crushed,(O) they collapse;
they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, “God will never notice;(P)
he covers his face and never sees.”(Q)

12 Arise,(R) Lord! Lift up your hand,(S) O God.
Do not forget the helpless.(T)
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?(U)
Why does he say to himself,
“He won’t call me to account”?(V)
14 But you, God, see the trouble(W) of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;(X)
you are the helper(Y) of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked man;(Z)
call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
that would not otherwise be found out.

16 The Lord is King for ever and ever;(AA)
the nations(AB) will perish from his land.
17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;(AC)
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,(AD)
18 defending the fatherless(AE) and the oppressed,(AF)
so that mere earthly mortals
will never again strike terror.

Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.

1 In the Lord I take refuge.(AG)
How then can you say to me:
“Flee(AH) like a bird to your mountain.(AI)
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;(AJ)
they set their arrows(AK) against the strings
to shoot from the shadows(AL)
at the upright in heart.(AM)
3 When the foundations(AN) are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”

4 The Lord is in his holy temple;(AO)
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.(AP)
He observes everyone on earth;(AQ)
his eyes examine(AR) them.
5 The Lord examines the righteous,(AS)
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.(AT)
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;(AU)
a scorching wind(AV) will be their lot.

7 For the Lord is righteous,(AW)
he loves justice;(AX)
the upright(AY) will see his face.(AZ)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 10:1 Psalms 9 and 10 may originally have been a single acrostic poem in which alternating lines began with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Septuagint they constitute one psalm.
  2. Psalm 10:5 See Septuagint; Hebrew / they are haughty, and your laws are far from

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 10:1 : Ps 22:1, 11; 35:22; 38:21; 71:12
  2. Psalm 10:1 : Ps 13:1
  3. Psalm 10:2 : ver 9; S Job 20:19
  4. Psalm 10:3 : Ps 49:6; 94:4; Jer 48:30
  5. Psalm 10:3 : S Job 1:5
  6. Psalm 10:4 : Ps 36:1
  7. Psalm 10:6 : Rev 18:7
  8. Psalm 10:7 : Ro 3:14*
  9. Psalm 10:7 : Ps 73:8; 119:134; Ecc 4:1; Isa 30:12
  10. Psalm 10:7 : S Job 20:12
  11. Psalm 10:8 : Ps 37:32; 59:3; 71:10; Pr 1:11; Jer 5:26; Mic 7:2
  12. Psalm 10:8 : Hos 6:9
  13. Psalm 10:9 : S ver 2
  14. Psalm 10:9 : S Job 18:8
  15. Psalm 10:10 : S Job 9:17
  16. Psalm 10:11 : Job 22:13; Ps 42:9; 77:9
  17. Psalm 10:11 : S Job 22:14
  18. Psalm 10:12 : Ps 3:7
  19. Psalm 10:12 : Ps 17:7; 20:6; 106:26; Isa 26:11; Mic 5:9
  20. Psalm 10:12 : Ps 9:12
  21. Psalm 10:13 : ver 3
  22. Psalm 10:13 : S Job 31:14
  23. Psalm 10:14 : ver 7; Ps 22:11
  24. Psalm 10:14 : Ps 37:5
  25. Psalm 10:14 : S Dt 33:29
  26. Psalm 10:15 : S Job 31:22
  27. Psalm 10:16 : S Ex 15:18
  28. Psalm 10:16 : S Dt 8:20
  29. Psalm 10:17 : S Ps 9:12
  30. Psalm 10:17 : S Ex 22:23
  31. Psalm 10:18 : S Dt 24:17; Ps 146:9
  32. Psalm 10:18 : S Ps 9:9
  33. Psalm 11:1 : S Ps 7:1
  34. Psalm 11:1 : S Ge 14:10
  35. Psalm 11:1 : Ps 50:11
  36. Psalm 11:2 : S 2Sa 22:35
  37. Psalm 11:2 : S Ps 7:13; S 58:7
  38. Psalm 11:2 : Ps 10:8
  39. Psalm 11:2 : S Job 33:3; Ps 7:10
  40. Psalm 11:3 : Ps 18:15; 82:5; Isa 24:18
  41. Psalm 11:4 : S 1Ki 8:48; Ps 18:6; 27:4; Jnh 2:7; Mic 1:2; Hab 2:20
  42. Psalm 11:4 : S 2Ch 6:18; S Ps 9:7; Mt 5:34; 23:22; S Rev 4:2
  43. Psalm 11:4 : Pr 15:3
  44. Psalm 11:4 : Ps 33:18; 66:7
  45. Psalm 11:5 : S Dt 7:13; S Job 23:10
  46. Psalm 11:5 : S Job 28:28; Ps 5:5; 45:7; Isa 1:14
  47. Psalm 11:6 : S Ge 19:24; S Rev 9:17
  48. Psalm 11:6 : S Ge 41:6; S Job 1:19
  49. Psalm 11:7 : S 2Ch 12:6; S Ezr 9:15; 2Ti 4:8
  50. Psalm 11:7 : S Ps 9:8; 33:5; 99:4; Isa 28:17; 30:18; 56:1; 61:8; Jer 9:24
  51. Psalm 11:7 : S Job 1:1; Lk 23:50
  52. Psalm 11:7 : Ps 17:15; 140:13
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.

Jeremiah 36:27-37:2

27 After the king burned the scroll containing the words that Baruch had written at Jeremiah’s dictation,(A) the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 28 “Take another scroll(B) and write on it all the words that were on the first scroll, which Jehoiakim king of Judah burned up. 29 Also tell Jehoiakim king of Judah, ‘This is what the Lord says: You burned that scroll and said, “Why did you write on it that the king of Babylon would certainly come and destroy this land and wipe from it(C) both man and beast?”(D) 30 Therefore this is what the Lord says about Jehoiakim(E) king of Judah: He will have no one to sit on the throne of David; his body will be thrown out(F) and exposed(G) to the heat by day and the frost by night.(H) 31 I will punish him and his children(I) and his attendants for their wickedness; I will bring on them and those living in Jerusalem and the people of Judah every disaster(J) I pronounced against them, because they have not listened.(K)’”

32 So Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the scribe Baruch son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated,(L) Baruch wrote(M) on it all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned(N) in the fire. And many similar words were added to them.

Jeremiah in Prison

37 Zedekiah(O) son of Josiah was made king(P) of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; he reigned in place of Jehoiachin[a](Q) son of Jehoiakim. 2 Neither he nor his attendants nor the people of the land paid any attention(R) to the words the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.

Footnotes:

  1. Jeremiah 37:1 Hebrew Koniah, a variant of Jehoiachin

Cross references:

  1. Jeremiah 36:27 : ver 4
  2. Jeremiah 36:28 : ver 2
  3. Jeremiah 36:29 : S Isa 30:10
  4. Jeremiah 36:29 : Jer 33:12
  5. Jeremiah 36:30 : Jer 52:2
  6. Jeremiah 36:30 : S Isa 14:19
  7. Jeremiah 36:30 : S 2Ki 24:6
  8. Jeremiah 36:30 : S Jer 8:2
  9. Jeremiah 36:31 : Ex 20:5
  10. Jeremiah 36:31 : S Pr 29:1
  11. Jeremiah 36:31 : S Pr 1:24
  12. Jeremiah 36:32 : ver 4
  13. Jeremiah 36:32 : Ex 34:1; Jer 30:2
  14. Jeremiah 36:32 : ver 23
  15. Jeremiah 37:1 : S 2Ki 24:17
  16. Jeremiah 37:1 : 1Sa 11:1; Eze 17:13
  17. Jeremiah 37:1 : S 2Ki 24:8, 12; Jer 22:24
  18. Jeremiah 37:2 : S 2Ki 24:19
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 Corinthians 14:1-12

Intelligibility in Worship

14 Follow the way of love(A) and eagerly desire(B) gifts of the Spirit,(C) especially prophecy.(D) 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a](E) does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them;(F) they utter mysteries(G) by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,(H) encouraging(I) and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue(J) edifies(K) themselves, but the one who prophesies(L) edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy.(M) The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.(N)

6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation(O) or knowledge(P) or prophecy or word of instruction?(Q) 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?(R) 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.(S) 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit,(T) try to excel in those that build up(U) the church.

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or in another language; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39

Cross references:

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:1 : 1Co 16:14
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:1 : ver 39; 1Co 12:31
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:1 : S 1Co 12:1
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:1 : ver 39; S Eph 4:11
  5. 1 Corinthians 14:2 : S Mk 16:17
  6. 1 Corinthians 14:2 : ver 6-11, 16
  7. 1 Corinthians 14:2 : 1Co 13:2
  8. 1 Corinthians 14:3 : ver 4, 5, 12, 17, 26; S Ro 14:19
  9. 1 Corinthians 14:3 : ver 31
  10. 1 Corinthians 14:4 : S Mk 16:17
  11. 1 Corinthians 14:4 : S ver 3
  12. 1 Corinthians 14:4 : S 1Co 13:2
  13. 1 Corinthians 14:5 : Nu 11:29
  14. 1 Corinthians 14:5 : S ver 3
  15. 1 Corinthians 14:6 : ver 26; Eph 1:17
  16. 1 Corinthians 14:6 : S 2Co 8:7
  17. 1 Corinthians 14:6 : Ro 6:17
  18. 1 Corinthians 14:8 : Nu 10:9; Jer 4:19
  19. 1 Corinthians 14:11 : Ge 11:7
  20. 1 Corinthians 14:12 : S 1Co 12:1
  21. 1 Corinthians 14:12 : S ver 3
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 10:16-23

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.(A) Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.(B) 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils(C) and be flogged in the synagogues.(D) 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings(E) as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.(F) At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father(G) speaking through you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents(H) and have them put to death.(I) 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me,(J) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.(K) 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.(L)

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 10:16 : Lk 10:3; Ac 20:29
  2. Matthew 10:16 : S 1Co 14:20
  3. Matthew 10:17 : S Mt 5:22
  4. Matthew 10:17 : Mt 23:34; Mk 13:9; Ac 5:40; 22:19; 26:11
  5. Matthew 10:18 : Ac 25:24-26
  6. Matthew 10:19 : Ex 4:12
  7. Matthew 10:20 : Lk 12:11, 12; Ac 4:8
  8. Matthew 10:21 : ver 35, 36; Mic 7:6
  9. Matthew 10:21 : Mk 13:12
  10. Matthew 10:22 : S Jn 15:21
  11. Matthew 10:22 : Mt 24:13; Mk 13:13; Lk 21:19; Rev 2:10
  12. Matthew 10:23 : S Lk 17:30
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.