The Power of Public Scripture Reading and Public Prayer

History demonstrates the importance of corporate prayer and Bible reading:

Hebrews 4:12 says that “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword”. In the Bible we find the public reading of Scripture, and commands for it to be done. For example, in Deuteronomy 31:9-11 we read about Moses commanding the people during the Feast of Booths to read the law before all of Israel.

Various leaders read God’s word to all the people, resulting in spiritual renewal. See for example Joshua (Joshua 8:30–35), King Josiah (2 Kings 23:1-3), and Ezra (Nehemiah 8:1–3). In the New Testament we also find this. Paul wrote these words: “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13).

This practice continues today. In April of this year a seven-day public reading of the entire Bible was held in Washington, D.C., with President Trump reading 2 Chronicles 7:11-22. I discussed this here: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2026/04/20/the-bible-comes-to-washington-d-c/

And in a few weeks Melbourne will have another such marathon. More on that important event in a moment.

Public prayer and public Bible reading

The reading of God’s word goes hand in hand with public confessions of sin and repentance, and corporate prayer. And this too goes back to biblical times. Think of Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication as found in 1 Kings 8: 22-30. Here is part of his prayer:

Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.”

Historical examples

Many Christians over the centuries have followed suit. Think of the amazing prayer initiative launched by Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians centuries ago. In 1727 he came upon an old manual of spiritual discipline. Zinzendorf read extracts of it to the community and a powerful spiritual revival broke out. Deep times of repentance, forgiveness and restitution were experienced, and God’s Spirit was poured out in a powerful way. Thus began the “Moravian Pentecost”. One of the most important outcomes of this powerful renewal was the establishment just two weeks later of an around-the-clock prayer chain which lasted for 100 years. https://billmuehlenberg.com/2010/04/29/notable-christians-count-zinzendorf/

And American presidents have also gone down this path. Abraham Lincoln for example called for times of national prayer, repentance and pleas to return to the God of Scripture. As just one example, on March 30, 1863 he issued a Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day. It began:

Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation.

 

And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.

In more recent times both public prayer and Bible reading have been becoming more common. One article penned back on May 6, 2004 offers a nice overview of some of the many activities that have taken place. Kenneth Chan said this:

Continuing a tradition that began over 200 years ago, our nation will recognize today as the National Day of Prayer. Thousands of events will be held locally across the nation including prayer breakfasts, concerts of prayer, rallies, church prayer vigils, student flagpole gatherings and observances held in sports stadiums. In Washington DC, hundreds of believers are meeting on the West Front of the US Capitol today to read the entire Bible aloud and without commentary for 80 continuous hours.

 

Since 1990, the largest and longest running Bible Reading Marathon (BRM) has taken place on the front steps of the White House in Washington DC. The marathon, one of many being held in the world, is held primarily in conjunction to the National Day of Prayer in the United States, but has grown internationally, as a stand of solidarity for the church.

And this is an international event, not just confined to America:

The Bible Reading Marathon is partnered with Bible Pathway Ministries, a program that takes readers through the Bible in a year. The history of the two groups followed the same path toward a common goal. In February of 1989, Dr. John Hash, founder of Bible Pathway Ministries, met with Dr. Jerry Wiles, President of Bible Pathway Ministries at that time, and members of the staff to share his vision to enlist one billion people to read through all the Bible.

 

The first Bible Reading Marathon took place on January 1, 1990, at precisely 12:01AM on top of the Mount of Olives where a small group of believers began reading through the Bible. At the same time, similar Bible Reading Marathons were held in Berlin and Bucharest–all to awaken a global response to the desperate need for a return to reading the Word of God.

 

Bible Reading Marathons have been held in such far corners of the world as Canada, England, France, Germany, India, Holland, Hungary, Mexico, Nigeria, New Zealand, Peru, Sweden, and Russia. They have also been held throughout the United States — in town squares, on county courthouse steps, and at state capitols. https://www.christianpost.com/news/bible-reading-marathon-running-with-national-day-of-prayer.html

There are now many such initiatives. I have already mentioned the White House Bible reading from earlier this year. The group behind that is America Reads the Bible. As they say on their website:

Just as Ezra read the Word aloud to the people of Israel (Nehemiah 8:1–3), awakening revival and repentance, inspiring them to rebuild the temple, and working with Nehemiah to mobilize the people to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, America Reads the Bible is a sacred opportunity to call our nation back to its spiritual foundations. Through a public, continuous reading of the entire Bible in our nation’s capital by our national leaders from all spheres of influence, we believe God can spark revival in individual hearts and inspire Americans to carry the Word forward in their lives and communities into the next 250 years of our national story.

And this:

America Reads the Bible is a national Scripture-reading event and movement led by Christians Engaged – a nonprofit organization committed to discipling Americans on biblical worldview and their responsibilities as citizens to pray, vote, and engage for the wellbeing of our nation. https://www.americareadsthebible.com/about

And these global activities involve all sorts of Christian groups and denominations. Consider this one from the Catholic Church in Italy. A 2008 news report says this:

Pope Benedict on Sunday kicked off a seven-day, non-stop Bible reading marathon on Italian television. The pope read for several minutes from the start of the Book of Genesis live from his apartments in the Vatican while other speakers read in the Basilica of Holy Cross in Rome. In the next seven days and six nights, more than 1,200 people will read from the Bible until all 73 books of the Catholic edition is finished.

 

The second reader was from the Russian Orthodox Church and the third was an Italian protestant leader. Others on the first night included Italian politicians and artists, among them Oscar-winning actor and director Roberto Benigni. Tenor Andrea Bocelli sang between readings. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/uk/pope-kicks-off-7-day-marathon-bible-reading-idUSTRE4942CE/  

Various Australian believers and ministries have also been involved in this. Consider the 79-hour Bible Reading Marathon put on by Hilary Moroney and the Canberra House of Prayer. An older piece put out by them says this:

In previous years, it has taken place in many State Capitals, as well as outside public buildings and council chambers in other Australian cities and regional towns. The vision of the Bible Reading Marathon (BRM), now in its eighth year, is to read the Bible aloud (without amplification) from beginning to the end, to Glorify God at the beginning of the Parliamentary year, to Bless the Parliamentarians and all who work in Parliament House, for Australia to be Blessed as a Nation under the One True God. The location for the Bible Reading is at the top of the Grass outside Parliament House. The BRM is a Multicultural Christian Initiative run by the Bible Reading Marathon Team, and this year the dates of Parliament’s first sitting week are concurrent with the Multicultural Festival in Canberra. https://c-hop.org.au/action/bible-reading-marathon

Also, Warwick Marsh and the Canberra Declaration team have been deeply involved in all this. Says Warwick: “It is a wonderful thing to read the holy word of God in a public place. People often come to Christ when these Bible reading marathons are held. People get healed walking by. Others get encouraged. Believers get recharged. They have a staggering effect.”

Melbourne public Bible reading initiative

Another important work involves the city that I live in. Sylvia Winfield and her team at Melbourne Bible Reading Marathon are holding a public Bible reading session over the two weeks of the school holidays from September 21 to October 2. Their website tells us about this:

Our vision

United around the public reading of God’s Word

Our vision is to honour God by uniting Christians across traditions around the public reading of His Word. We seek to strengthen bonds of prayer and fellowship and humbly ask God to bring renewal in His mercy.

 

About the marathon

Reading the Bible together in the heart of Melbourne

The Melbourne Bible Reading Marathon is being prepared as a public reading of the Bible over around ten days, with readers sharing Scripture for several hours each day.

The marathon is being prepared with a calm, respectful, and prayerful tone as dates, permissions, and practical arrangements are confirmed.

 

Why we read

Honouring Scripture publicly

Christians have gathered across generations to hear and read the Scriptures. This event is intended as a gentle public witness: to honour the Word of God, to pray for the city, and to encourage churches and believers across Melbourne. https://dwinfield.com/mbrm/

When asked, ‘Why Melbourne?,’ the organisers reply as follows:

We recognise our city is facing many challenges and increasing division. Rather than responding with fear or anger, we believe Christians are called to gather humbly around God’s Word, strengthen one another in prayer and fellowship, and seek God’s blessing for Melbourne. We hope that as God’s people listen to His voice together, He will renew hearts, deepen unity, and lead us in His ways. https://dwinfield.com/mbrm/why-we-read.php

I can say a hearty ‘Amen’ to that. Melbourne and Victoria are in a real bad way. The many political, economic, cultural and social problems are at their core spiritual problems. Only by seeking God’s favour and proclaiming his Word can we hope to see things turned around here.

Sylvia needs to find more reading volunteers for this. You can find a registration form here which advises how you might help out with this key ministry: https://dwinfield.com/mbrm/register.php

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