The 26th annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon began at 6 p.m. Sunday.
For 90 continuous hours beginning with the reading of Genesis 1:1, every word of the Bible was read aloud and without commentary, culminating at noon on Thursday, May 7, with the reading of the final chapters of the book of Revelation.
During these five days, hundreds of Bible believers traveled to the West Front of the U.S. Capitol—the very spot where the president takes the oath of office—to read a portion of the Bible, to listen and to pray.
The U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon began in 1990, the year proclaimed by a Joint Congressional Resolution and Presidential Proclamation by President George H.W. Bush as the International Year of Bible Reading. The event serves to honor the Bible, celebrate religious freedom and unite the diverse branches of Christianity around the Bible.
Readers who participate come from many backgrounds and locations all across America. Members of Congress and world-renowned Christian leaders and pastors stand alongside street people, families, military personnel, school children, nurses, teachers and otherwise ordinary believers to raise up the Word of God.
Each year the Bible is read at the Capitol by visitors from around the world in their native tongues. Bibles will be on hand in 100 languages. Every culture, age, denomination, race and political party is represented. Many branches of faith are represented as well, including Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Messianic and Jewish.
The U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon is a part of a weeklong celebration of prayer and the Word, not only in the Nation’s Capital, but across the nation. Bible reading marathons will be taking place in many state capitals and county seats in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer (Thursday, May 7).
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