Right now, the nation’s capital is in the middle of accomplishing something that only 17% of Americans say they’ve done: reading the Bible from cover to cover. For 12 hours a day — from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EST) — until April 25, hundreds of Christian leaders are rotating in and out of the Museum of the Bible in downtown D.C., taking turns publicly reading through every verse from Genesis to Revelation. The historic event, called America Reads the Bible, is believed to be the largest of its kind in U.S. history. And based on sobering new statistics from the American Bible Society (ABS), it couldn’t come at a better time.

Until recent generations, it was assumed that everyone — believers and non-believers alike — had at least a working knowledge of the Bible. Now, ABS’s surveys show that not only are Americans unfamiliar with God’s word (42% have never opened the book), but even professing Christians are increasingly biblically illiterate. And while the statistics vary from year to year, The Washington Stand’s Joshua Arnold insists, “They should be a giant alarm bell, alerting Americans to a sense of urgency over their spiritual danger.”

The idea to read the Bible aloud in D.C., which Christians Engaged started planning more than a year ago, was meant to coincide with the nation’s 250th birthday. But the lead-up to this powerful display has made one thing abundantly clear: our country desperately needs to be reconnected with the scriptural roots of this great land.

Like other faith leaders, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins hopes this marathon helps Americans “rediscover the ancient paths.” It’s one reason that he felt compelled to launch FRC’s Stand on the Word daily Bible reading plan several years ago. “[T]hose who know their history understand that the Bible played a fundamental role in the founding of this nation,” he explained on last week’s “Washington Watch.” “[And] if we want to sustain it and carry it forward to future generations, if the Lord tarries, we need to return to that understanding of the role that Scripture plays in guiding and directing us individually, but collectively as a nation.”

As almost 500 men and women embark on this first-ever undertaking to read the Bible publicly cover to cover, organizer Bunni Pounds is praying that more and more Americans tune in and shake off their complacency and apathy toward God’s word. “We’re binge-watching Netflix and Amazon Prime and playing games all the time,” she lamented, “and not living our calling.”

“We are trying to survive on a 20-minute sermon on a Sunday morning and thinking we can make it right,” Pounds told the audience at Pray Vote Stand Summit last year in the lead-up to this week’s event. “We’re trying to survive, thinking we can make it with our own gifts and talents, and not coming to the Lord in humility and [admitting], ‘I am poor in spirit. I need you every day.’”

At this point in time, she believes, “We are called to be spiritual mothers and fathers to the next generation, and they need us to step up. And how important it is for us to do an amazing, not just an event, but to push people into daily Bible reading and discipleship programs.”

Pointing to everyone from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Cabinet members to actresses like Candace Cameron Bure and Patricia Heaton, Bunni’s desire is for Americans to tune in, “see important people” reading Scripture, and experience it “impacting their heart.” “Maybe there’s something in this book of wisdom that could impact their life. Maybe there’s something that could break depression off their life. Maybe there’s something that could save their family and their marriage. So, I hope there’s a hunger that’s released over our country,” she said. “Of course, we know in Romans 10:17, faith comes by hearing the word of God. We believe faith is going to be released … from April 18 to 25.”

On Saturday, at the America Reads the Bible opening ceremonies, Johnson insisted that the reason our country is “the most free, most successful, most powerful, most benevolent nation that has ever been [is] because we are built upon those firm foundations.” It’s more than symbolism, he emphasized, pointing to the well-worn Bible that sits in the speaker’s office.

Perkins echoed those sentiments, urging the audience to approach this 250th anniversary of America with deep reflection “on how God’s truth has shaped our nation, but how the word of God continues to transform lives and families today. Tonight,” he said, “as we prepare to read the word of God over this nation, this week, we stand as witnesses here tonight to the power of God’s word to change lives, to strengthen families, and to shape a nation.”

On Sunday, both men took a turn reading in Genesis as part of Family Research Council’s scheduled block that also featured FRC’s Travis Weber and Jody Hice, as well as Carlos Duran, president of the National Hispanic Pastors Alliance.

The goal, Pounds emphasized, is to help people realize “that God speaks through every section of Scripture and that you need to go to the Bible every day to know him. Because our words don’t change anybody,” she underscored. “Only the Bible changes people as we digest it.”

At the end of the day, she reflected, “We all have a responsibility to really dive deeper with the Lord, because our nation needs new leaders, and our leaders have to be grounded in a biblical worldview and know their God so [that] we can do mighty exploits.”

To tune in to the livestream, visit Great American Pure Flix.