Contact: Dane Rose, Program Director, Faith and Action, 202-546-8329, DaneRose@FaithAndAction.org  

WASHINGTON, April 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- Two Washington, DC-based Christian outreach organizations, Faith and Action and the National Clergy Council, will co-sponsor this year's U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon from the steps of the U.S. Capitol building, April 29 – May 3. The Marathon is an uninterrupted public reading of the entire Bible over a loud speaker system on the famed West Steps of the Capitol where the president of the United States swears the oath of office on Inauguration Day.

The reading continues 24 hours a day for four and half days, ending at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 3, the National Day of Prayer. The event, in its 18th year, is a program of the International Bible Reading Association founded by Dr. John Hash Murfreesboro, Tennessee and headed by long-time Washington, DC pastor, the Reverend Michael Hall and his wife Terry.

"This is one of the most important things anyone can do in Washington, DC," said the Reverend Rob Schenck (pronounced SHANK), founder of Faith and Action, a Christian missionary outreach to elected and appointed officials located across the street from the US Supreme Court and just a block from the US Capitol building.

Rev. Schenck went on to comment, "The Bible says 'Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.' It's Scripture that changes people inside. Politicians and judges won't make the right decisions until they think right about the issues. They can't think right until their hearts are right. That's what reading the Bible does, it recalibrates hearts and minds. But the Marathon is also a celebration of our freedom to worship and honor God in the public square. If you don't use your rights, you lose your rights. So this is a very important exercise for more than one reason."

The public is invited to all Bible Reading Marathon events. While not everyone may not be able to read due to time constraints, individuals, families, church groups and others are encouraged to attend the opening prayer service on Sunday evening, April 29 and the youth prayer rally sponsored by National Day of Prayer organizers Wednesday evening, May 2.

To sign up for open reading slots please visit: www.faithandaction.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=71

Details on all events: www.faithandaction.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=3