Max Lucado Daily: SIMPLE PRAYERS - June 15, 2026
Prayer really is simple. Resist the urge to complicate it. Don’t take pride in well-crafted prayers. Don’t apologize for incoherent prayers. No games, no cover-up, just be honest. Honest to God.
Climb into his lap, tell him everything that is on your heart. Or, tell him nothing at all. Just lift your heart to heaven and declare “Father, Daddy.” Stress, fear, guilt, grief. Demands on all sides. All we can summon is a plaintive, “Oh Father.” If so, that’s enough. Your Heavenly Father will wrap you in his arms.
Here’s my challenge for you: every day for four weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.
Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer
2 Samuel 23
These are David’s last words:
The voice of the son of Jesse,
the voice of the man God took to the top,
Whom the God of Jacob made king,
and Israel’s most popular singer!
2–7 God’s Spirit spoke through me,
his words took shape on my tongue.
The God of Israel spoke to me,
Israel’s Rock-Mountain said,
“Whoever governs fairly and well,
who rules in the Fear-of-God,
Is like first light at daybreak
without a cloud in the sky,
Like green grass carpeting earth,
glistening under fresh rain.”
And this is just how my regime has been,
for God guaranteed his covenant with me,
Spelled it out plainly
and kept every promised word—
My entire salvation,
my every desire.
But the devil’s henchmen are like thorns
culled and piled as trash;
Better not try to touch them;
keep your distance with a rake or hoe.
They’ll make a glorious bonfire!
8 This is the listing of David’s top men.
Josheb-Basshebeth, the Tahkemonite. He was chief of the Three. He once put his spear to work against eight hundred—killed them all in a day.
9–10 Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite was the next of the elite Three. He was with David when the Philistines poked fun at them at Pas Dammim. When the Philistines drew up for battle, Israel retreated. But Eleazar stood his ground and killed Philistines right and left until he was exhausted—but he never let go of his sword! A big win for God that day. The army then rejoined Eleazar, but all there was left to do was the cleanup.
11–12 Shammah son of Agee the Hararite was the third of the Three. The Philistines had mustered for battle at Lehi, where there was a field full of lentils. Israel fled before the Philistines, but Shammah took his stand at the center of the field, successfully defended it, and routed the Philistines. Another great victory for God!
13–17 One day during harvest, the Three parted from the Thirty and joined David at the Cave of Adullam. A squad of Philistines had set up camp in the Valley of Rephaim. While David was holed up in the Cave, the Philistines had their base camp in Bethlehem. David had a sudden craving and said, “Would I ever like a drink of water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem!” So the Three penetrated the Philistine lines, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But David wouldn’t drink it; he poured it out as an offering to God, saying, “There is no way, God, that I’ll drink this! This isn’t mere water, it’s their life-blood—they risked their very lives to bring it!” So David refused to drink it.
This is the sort of thing that the Three did.
18–19 Abishai brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah was the head of the Thirty. He once got credit for killing three hundred with his spear, but he was never named in the same breath as the Three. He was the most respected of the Thirty and was their captain, but never got included among the Three.
20–21 Benaiah son of Jehoiada from Kabzeel was a vigorous man who accomplished a great deal. He once killed two lion cubs in Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he climbed down into a pit and killed a lion. Another time he killed a formidable Egyptian. The Egyptian was armed with a spear and Benaiah went against him with nothing but a walking stick; he seized the spear from his grip and killed him with his own spear.
22–23 These are the things that Benaiah son of Jehoiada is famous for. But neither did he ever get ranked with the Three. He was held in greatest respect among the Thirty, but he never got included with the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
The Thirty
24–39 “The Thirty” consisted of:
Asahel brother of Joab;
Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem;
Shammah the Harodite;
Elika the Harodite;
Helez the Paltite;
Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite;
Abiezer the Anathothite;
Sibbecai the Hushathite;
Zalmon the Ahohite;
Maharai the Netophathite;
Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite;
Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjaminites;
Benaiah the Pirathonite;
Hiddai from the badlands of Gaash;
Abi-Albon the Arbathite;
Azmaveth the Barhumite;
Eliahba the Shaalbonite;
Jashen the Gizonite;
Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite;
Ahiam son of Sharar the Urite;
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite;
Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite;
Hezro the Carmelite;
Paarai the Arbite;
Igal son of Nathan, commander of the army of Hagrites;
Zelek the Ammonite;
Naharai the Beerothite, weapon bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah;
Ira the Ithrite;
Gareb the Ithrite;
Uriah the Hittite. Thirty-seven, all told.
Our Daily Bread reading and devotion
Monday, June 15, 2026
by Leslie Koh
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
8–11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.
12–15 Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!
Today's Insights
The instructions in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 about the generous giving believers in Jesus at Corinth should employ weren’t given in a vacuum. In the previous chapter, Paul had described the ultimate model for giving—what Christ has given us (8:9)—as the example that should also characterize our giving. The Macedonians had already embraced this heart of generosity (vv. 1-6), and as the Corinthians had displayed growth in so many other areas, the apostle wanted them to know the joy of giving as well (v. 7). Today, we can experience the blessing and privilege of giving cheerfully from what God has given us.
Giving from God’s Gifts
God is able to bless you abundantly, so that . . . you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
Stanley’s generosity never ceased to amaze me. He often bought meals and gifts for elderly church members, cleaners in his neighborhood, or anyone who needed cheering up.
Equally amazing was that even though Stanley wasn't wealthy or savvy at investing, his small investment did impressively well, enabling him to keep giving. Whenever someone thanked him, he’d point upwards and smile, as if to say, “It came from God, not me.” God, he often said, helped him to help others.
This was what Paul alluded to in 2 Corinthians 9 as he wrote about giving. Proud of the Corinthians’ readiness to help fellow believers (v. 2), he hoped to pick up a collection they had started (v. 3). Imploring them to give generously and cheerfully, he noted that God would not only reward those who gave (vv. 6-7) but also bless people so they could give even more (v. 8).
God doesn’t expect us to give what we’re unable to give (8:12). Rather, He entrusts us with money, time, or talent to “abound in every good work” (9:8), and He supplies what we need so we “can be generous on every occasion” (v. 11). That’s why we can give in faith and with a cheerful heart (v. 7), knowing that we give only from what we’ve been given. In the process, we bring praise to God’s name (v. 13).
Reflect & Pray
What has God given to you? To whom can you give today, sharing from what you’ve received?
Dear God, please open my eyes to Your blessings and open my heart to bless others generously and cheerfully.
Go deeper into go.odb.org/0615262 Corinthians.
My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
Monday, June 15, 2026
The Test of Character
Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge. — 2 Peter 1:5
You have inherited the divine nature, says Peter (2 Peter 1:4). Now focus your attention and form habits. Be diligent. Concentrate. No one is born with character, either naturally or supernaturally. We have to make character. Nor are we born with habits. We have to form habits based on the new life God has put into us. We aren’t meant to be shiny, illuminated versions of humanity, floating above everyone else. We’re meant to lead common, ordinary lives that exhibit the marvel of the grace of God. Our willingness to work at whatever task God gives us is how we add to our faith. We must work diligently, no matter how lowly or insignificant the task appears in the eyes of the world. Drudgery is the great test of character. The most significant obstacle to our spiritual development is that we look for big, important things to do, and will not do the thing that lies close at hand because we think it’s beneath us.
“Jesus . . . began to wash his disciples’ feet” (John 13:3, 5). There are times when there is no illumination in our lives, no thrill or excitement, just the daily routine with its ordinary tasks. Routine is God’s way of saving us between times of inspiration. Don’t expect God to give you thrills. Learn to live in the domain of drudgery by his power.
“Make every effort . . .” We say we don’t expect God to carry us to heaven on flowery beds of ease, but we act as though we do! The tiniest detail in which we obey has the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it. If we do our duty, not for duty’s sake but because we believe God is engineering our circumstances, the whole superb grace of God is ours through the atonement the very moment we obey.
Nehemiah 1-3; Acts 2:1-21
WISDOM FROM OSWALD
There is no allowance whatever in the New Testament for the man who says he is saved by grace but who does not produce the graceful goods. Jesus Christ by His Redemption can make our actual life in keeping with our religious profession.
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, 1465 R
A Word with You, by Ron Hutchcraft
Monday, June 15, 2026
Let the Coach Place You - #10286
Scripture: John 21:17-19
Our local high school football team had the most dramatic turn around I think I’ve ever seen in a high school team. They had only scored in two games the season before. A new coach took over, and the next season they were in the state championship and were on top many years after that!
They actually had a coach who molded winners. And I had a son who was coming up in the ranks and would soon be playing football for him. I pointed out to my son this coach’s successes and one of the reasons why he was so successful. See, my son had said to me, “Dad, I want to play," and he told me the position he’d like to play. And I said, “Well, listen. You need to trust that coach, because one of his gifts is knowing what position each guy is going to play best.”
Now, this coach would change players’ positions around and that often would meet with great resistance from them. They'd say, “Hey, Coach, I want to be a ______.” They’d fill in the blank with whatever position they thought they should play. And he’d say, “No, you’re going to play this position.” They’d end up being all-conference, all-county, and thanking the coach. So, I told my son to trust the coach for the best position to play. I’m going to tell you the same thing.
I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Let the Coach Place You.”
Our word for today from the Word of God begins in John 21:17-19. Jesus is talking to Peter and he says, “’Peter, feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted, but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’” Well, Peter turned and saw John following them. And when Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? But you must follow Me.’”
Interesting! Peter seems to be questioning the coach here. He’s questioning, in a sense, the position he’s going to play compared to the position John’s going to play. Now, the Lord has a position on His team that you are created to play, that you’re gifted to play. And He’s saying to you like He said to Peter “Don’t worry about somebody else’s position. You play your assignment.” And each of us has one. We know that from 1 Corinthians 12:6, “There are different kinds of working, but the same God works them in all men. That includes all believers. To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
Now, first of all, you’ve got to believe He has a position for you to play in His family, in His work on earth. Because it says all believers have it. Secondly, you trust Him to give you the assignment where you can do the most. It may not be the position you wanted to play, like some of the guys on our local football team. Maybe you wanted to be in front and He’s got you working backstage. Maybe you wanted to be backstage and He’s got you working in front. Maybe you wanted to lead and He has you being a follower right now, or you want to follow and He’s pushing you to be a leader. Maybe He’s teaching you to learn to do humble tasks right now. Maybe you want to be doing right now and He’s actually assigned you to be preparing instead.
You see, our Coach not only sees your talents, He sees your potential. He created it after all. So don’t chafe if He asks you to play a position that is different from the one you want. He’s the one who wired you, created you, and He has assigned you for a very specific assignment. And He knows where you’ll play the best, and He knows what position will do the most for you and for His Kingdom. So, hang in with the assignment the Coach has given you.
You are right now where you can contribute the most, learn the most, and share the most. Let the Coach place you.