The 25th annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon began at 6:00 PM on Sunday, April 27, and started a week of worship at the nation's capital leading up to the National Day of Prayer.  

Like it's been done for 25 years now, organizers plan to read the bible aloud for 90 continuous hours beginning with the reading of Genesis 1:1.  Every word of the Bible will be read aloud and without commentary, culminating at 1:00 PM on Thursday, May 1, with the reading of the final chapters of the book of Revelation. Whether it be sunny days or terrible rain storms, like the ones that have pummeled the south and are heading to the DC area, the Bible will be read aloud, and organizers are counting on God's promise that the Word will not return void, as they plan to worship through the storm.  (Isaiah 55:11)

During these five days, hundreds of Bible believers will travel to the West Front of the U.S. Capitol to read a portion of the Bible, or to listen to the Word being proclaimed, or to pray to God with fellow believers.

According to a press release, 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, organized by pastor Michael Hall, serves to honor the Bible, celebrate religious freedom and unite the diverse branches of Christianity around the Bible. 

According to dcbiblemarathon.org, The public reading of God's Holy Word will call the nation to return to God's precepts and will lay a solid foundation for the National Day of Prayer.  

Readers come from just about every imaginable background, and the event brings together believers from many different walks of life.   

Each year the Bible is read at the Capitol also by visitors from around the world in their native tongues. Bibles will be on hand in 100 languages, according to Pastor Hall.  Every culture, age, denomination, race and political party is represented, and there is also a 24 hour prayer vigil during the reading.   Many branches of faith will represented as well, including Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Messianic and Jewish.

The U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon is a part of a week-long celebration of prayer and the Holy Word that is meant to set a scriptural foundation for the National Day of Prayer.