More than 400 readers participate in 31st annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon

More than 400 readers participated in the 31st annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon from September 12-16. Participants read the entire Bible– Genesis to Revelation– in 15 different languages for over 90 continuous hours on Capitol Hill. The youngest reader was 10-years-old and the oldest was 85-years-old.

The reading marathon traditionally takes place on the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol in May to coincide with ending on the National Day of Prayer.

The marathon was organized by the nonprofit Faith & Liberty organization, which hosted and facilitated the marathon at its Ministry Center located near the U.S. Supreme Court. Readers participated in person and virtually, which was made possible by Seedline International’s technological help. More than 54,000 viewers watched the event live online.

Participants included U.S. Representatives Jody Hice, Doug LaMalfa, Louie Gohmert, Vicky Hartzler, Jeff Duncan, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and U.S. Senator James Lankford.

One Chinese church brought more than 25 readers who read in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Korean, and missionaries from South Korea read virtually. Individuals from multiple churches across the U.S. took turns reading from their hometowns, and residents from the Washington, D.C.- based House of Ruth Transitional Living Center read for two hours.

The U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon was established in 1990 by Dr. John Hash and Dr. Corinthia Boone. Now 85-years-old, Boone participated in this year’s opening and closing ceremonies.

“It is a privilege to participate in the reading of God’s Word as it flows throughout Capitol Hill, especially during this time as the nation grapples with uncertainty and unrest,” Faith & Liberty vice president Peggy Nienaber said. “The Bible is the foundation of America, and within those pages, we find the only answer for hope for this nation.”

Faith & Liberty’s state purpose “is to affect the hearts and minds of America’s public policy makers with Christ’s mandate in the two greatest commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”