In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

For the 11th year, the Pike County Bible Reading Marathon began with those words from Genesis 1:1. The 2017 Bible Reading Marathon began at 6 p.m. Sunday on the square in downtown Troy and will conclude at noon on Thursday, the National Day of Prayer with the reading of Revelation 22:21 –The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The Bible Reading Marathon is led each year by the Salem-Troy Baptist Association but in a non-denominational event, said Ken Baggett, Salem-Baptist Association director of missions.

“The purpose of the Bible Reading Marathon is to have a public reading of the Bible from Genesis through Revelation,” Baggett said. “We will read God’s Word with the assurance that it will not return void.”

The Bible Reading Marathon is a national event that is a witness to God’s Word and a celebration of the nation’s First Amendment freedom.

Readers of all ages and from all denominations will read the Holy Bible in its entirety during the week.

“The readers are asked to read in 15-minute slots,” Baggett said. “You can read longer if you’d like or you can read at different times or on different days.”

Time slots are still available mainly at late night or early morning hours.

“But we have also have times available throughout the day and encourage anyone who would like to publicly read God’s Word to join us for the 2017 Bible Reading Marathon,” Baggett said.

In addition to the readers, someone is available at the marathon tent to make sure every time slot is filled.

Those would like to read but haven’t registered may do so at the Bible Reading Marathon tent on the Troy square or by calling 566-1538 for more information.

At the conclusion of the Bible Reading Marathon at noon on Thursday, the public is invited to participate in the National Day of Prayer Service at the Gazebo.

The service will be led by Dr. Lamar Duke of Montgomery and will feature special music.