Contact: Rev. Michael Hall, 202-441-6455

WASHINGTON, May 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- The 20th annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon has begun. It started Sunday evening with the reading of Genesis 1:1, and then for 90 continuous hours every word of the Bible will be read aloud and without commentary, culminating at 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 7, with the reading of the final chapters of Revelation. During these five days, hundreds of Bible believers will gather on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol to read a portion of the Bible, to listen and to pray.

Event: 20th Annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon

When: Sunday, May 3, 2009, 6:00 PM through Thursday, May 7, 2:00 PM

Where: West Front, U.S. Capitol (Lower West Terrace)

Interview Contact: Rev. Michael Hall, 202-441-6455/7

Participant and event information contact: Terry Shaffer Hall,
202-441-6455

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 police chiefs, military personnel, nurses, teachers, school children, retirees, and otherwise ordinary believers to raise up the Word of God. Each year the Bible is read there by visitors from around the world in their native tongues. 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 part of a weeklong celebration of prayer and the Word, not only in the Nation's Capital, but across the nation. The International Bible Reading Association, which promotes this idea of public Bible readings, says that Bible reading marathons will be taking place in many state capitals and county seats in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer.

The U. S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon's opening ceremony and prayer began at 6:00 PM on Sunday, May 3. The closing ceremony will begin at 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 7. The Capital Region National Day of Prayer Observance will be held at the same location shortly thereafter.

The U. S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon will be webcast around the world at
www.faithandaction.org.

Reading times can be reserved through Terry Shaffer Hall, 202-441-6455 or DCBibleMarathon@aol.com.