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Barack Obama has not just been on the minds of the congregation at Zion Baptist Church in Reidsville these past few weeks.

He’s been in their prayers, too, every day.

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety,” they repeated for an entire week recently, quoting the book of Proverbs 11:14 as they prayed for Obama’s Cabinet officers and advisers by name.

The church is bringing to an end 40 days — a significant biblical reference — of prayer for Barack Obama, with prayers in the church sanctuary and in members’ homes, until the 44th president’s inauguration.

“I had begun with a Bible study that had that perspective,” said the Rev. Michael Anthony Long, the church’s senior pastor. “MLK’s assassination brought a depression in the black community: 'Who’s going to be our voice?’ There’s been a struggle for that voice ever since then. We’ve made tremendous strides and had African American leaders in prominent ways, but ... we have a new leader for the entire country who is African American.”

The 40 days of prayer for Obama began Dec. 11 and runs through Monday, the day before Obama will take the oath of office.

In the Bible, 40 years reflects the time the Israelites spent in the wilderness. It is also reflective of the 40 years between the Rev. Martin Luther King’s assassination and Obama’s election.

It was also 40 years ago this coming July that man walked on the moon.

“I saw it as a good opportunity for us to spend this 40-day period to focus on specific things that will help his administration,” Long said.

That includes prayers for Obama’s vision for the country (Dec. 14-20); for soldiers under his command (Jan. 4-10); and for the president-elect’s protection and care (Monday).

Tuesday, the schedule proclaims, will bring “A prayer of Thanksgiving to God for bringing his will to pass in our lifetime!”

The church did not have such high-profile prayers for President George W. Bush’s inauguration. But the congregation has prayed for him, especially recently as he made decisions on the war and the economy.

Long won’t be traveling to Washington for the inauguration. Zion Baptist is preparing to host the area Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast Monday, which draws hundreds of people to the church.

Besides, he said, he wants to watch some of the historic event with his children.

Obama’s election stands in stark contrast to the rights people were fighting for just decades ago, Long said.

“This is the historical event of a lifetime.”

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com