Our Daily Bread Ministries
Our Daily Bread is a daily devotional published by Our Daily Bread Ministries (formerly RBC Ministries), founded in 1956 by Dr. M. R. DeHaan and Henry G. Bosch. It is the most widely-distributed daily devotional in the world, with over 60 million copies in print and translations into more than 55 languages. The devotional is offered free to anyone who requests it — a deliberate ministry choice that distinguishes Our Daily Bread from most other Christian publications. Each daily reading follows a consistent format: a Scripture reference, a 250-word reflection drawing personal application from the passage, a closing prayer or thought, and a recommended daily Bible reading. The writers are a rotating team of Christian pastors, teachers, and authors, giving the publication a diverse but consistently evangelical voice. Our Daily Bread is non-denominational in orientation, emphasizing the gospel and Christian living rather than denominational distinctives. The ministry also publishes Discovery Series booklets, the Our Daily Bread for Kids edition, and numerous other devotional and study resources. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Our Daily Bread Ministries operates internationally through partner offices across the world.
Concise, story-driven daily reflections (250 words). Each devotional opens with a personal narrative or current event, transitions to the day's Scripture passage, draws an application for daily Christian living, and closes with a brief prayer or meditation. Style is evangelical, non-denominational, and accessible to readers across Christian traditions.
Passages Our Daily Bread returns to most often, with their typical theme:
“God's love is the highest standard of all.”— Recurring theme across decades of devotionals.
Our Daily Bread is available free at odb.org, where you can read today's devotional, browse archives, sign up for daily email delivery, or download the Our Daily Bread app. The print magazine is also available free by request — Our Daily Bread Ministries mails it to anyone who asks, with no payment required and no donation pressure.
Our Daily Bread was founded in 1956 by Dr. M. R. DeHaan and Henry G. Bosch as a publication of RBC Ministries (later renamed Our Daily Bread Ministries). The first issue was published in April 1956. The devotional has been published continuously since then — over 70 years and counting — making it one of the longest-running Christian devotionals.
Our Daily Bread is the most widely-distributed daily devotional in the world. The publication has over 60 million copies in print, is translated into more than 55 languages, and is read by tens of millions of people daily across more than 150 countries. The free distribution model — funded by voluntary donations — makes it accessible to readers regardless of income.
Yes — Our Daily Bread is offered free to anyone who requests it. The print magazine is mailed free; the website (odb.org), app, and email versions are also free. The ministry is funded by voluntary donations from readers, but no payment is ever required. This 'freely you have received, freely give' model (Matthew 10:8) is a deliberate ministry choice.