Troy, Ozark wrap up round-the-clock Bible-reading marathons

As churches and communities across the state observe the National Day of Prayer, two Alabama communities are finishing up four-day Bible-reading marathons May 3, culminating with day of prayer services that day.
  
This year, Ozark is holding its fourth annual Bible-reading marathon and for the first time, Troy is holding a marathon of its own. 
  
On April 29, Christians in Ozark and Troy began reading the Bible aloud for 90 hours straight, beginning in Genesis. Locals volunteered to read in 15-minute intervals in front of the courthouse in Ozark and on the square in Troy. 
  
Wilma Hart, founder of the Ozark event and a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Ozark, in Dale Baptist Association, was inspired by a similar event that has taken place on the steps of the U.S. Capitol since 1990.
  
The idea spread to Troy when Judy Stephens, Woman’s Missionary Union director for Salem-Troy Baptist Association and a member of Good Hope Baptist Church, Troy, heard Hart share about her experiences with the Ozark marathon at a meeting last May.
  
“As I listened to Wilma share, I felt as though the Lord was leading me to get this started in Troy,” Stephens said.
  
Hart and Stephens both encouraged community involvement in the events and said their cities offered their full support, as both mayors and other city officials volunteered to read during the marathons. 
  
Hart said she encourages children to read during the marathon, even if they can read only one verse. In past years, the Ozark marathon has provided many opportunities to share the gospel.
Christians in Ozark distribute tracts to drivers near the courthouse or passers-by on their way to court. Hart said that last year, many people on their way to court stopped and asked for prayer. 
  
“For people who aren’t Christians, this gives us an opportunity to ‘read’ them to Christ,” she said. “Every year, we’ve always had someone to get saved.”
  
In support of this year’s patriotic National Day of Prayer theme, America, Unite in Prayer, Stephens invited local soldiers, firefighters and law enforcement officers to read Scripture during the last two hours of the marathon in Troy. 
  
A military trumpet player was also invited to play during the National Day of Prayer service.
  
Kenneth Hale, director of missions (DOM) for Dale Association, and Averyt Walker, DOM for Salem-Troy Association, are sharing devotionals during the National Day of Prayer services in Ozark and Troy, respectively.
  
Hart and Stephens said that they hope the events continue in years to come