AMHERST - About 25 people gathered at First Congregational Church Wednesday to pray for Americans to put aside the differences that arose during the presidential campaign.

"For most of us, it's a happy day," said the Rev. Vicki Kemper.

"We gather realizing that it's not a happy day for everyone. We honor everyone and acknowledge that despite the excitement of last night and whatever joy and hope we feel, we are still a nation divided and there are very mixed feelings among us."

Kemper decided in August, while observing the tenor of the campaign, that she wanted to hold a post-election prayer vigil to express concerns about divisions in the country, she said.

Wednesday's prayer vigil was not a partisan event, but a reminder to "be humble and reach out to people on the other side and not let the divisions continue."

The vigil began with an excerpt from Abraham Lincoln's 1863 proclamation appointing a national day of fasting.

It included a prayer for understanding from Jane Goodall, a prayer for love of enemies from Martin Luther King, Jr., a prayer for unity from the Baha'i tradition, a prayer for peace from St. Francis of Assisi, a prayer for justice from Mother Theresa, and a prayer for the world from Rabbi Harold Kushner.

Sitting in a semicircle before a candle, the participants read a diverse selection of comments about Tuesday's election that Kemper had collected from newspaper stories and on the Internet.

"Our election night party with Muslims, Christians, Jews, immigrants and native-born Americans was the best ever, and tears flowed," one person read. Another comment was, "The cup of God's wrath is about to be poured out on a nation whose leaders and people applaud abortion and infanticide."

"It helps to step back to see with a broader view, to see our commonality instead of our differences," Kemper said.

Church members then offered their own prayers.

"Let us rejoice with the black community," said Rosemary Morgan.

"Let us be hopeful and grateful, and let us always be vigilant that as a powerful Democratic majority is tempted to misuse its power, we may be there," said Tom Lindeman.

"Let those who are disappointed heed John McCain's words and work for unity and heed Barack Obama's words of assuring that he wants to listen to them," said Gale McClung.

"By faith, we believe that love is triumphing over hate," Kemper said as the vigil concluded. "By faith, we believe that justice will triumph over injustice. By faith, we believe that good will overcome evil. By faith, we believe that peace is possible. By faith, we believe that we are one."

The group then stood in a circle, held hands, and sang "We Shall Overcome."

"I feel Vicki's calling on us all to get together and think as one nation rather than two opposing groups is an important message," said McClung after the vigil.

"This is a hopeful new beginning and it can go wrong in so many ways," said Tom Lindeman.

"We've had eight nightmarish years, and we do not need to lapse back. How can we find ways to transcend old divisions and have a fresh start? To the extent that we can do that, some of our dreams are realized."