GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — As the presidential election reaches its crescendo, several Grand Rapids churches opened their doors to soothe those uneasy about the contentious race Monday night.

The First Methodist Church of Grand Rapids took on that task just blocks away from the last campaign rallies in the area before polls open Tuesday. 

The nonpartisan, nondenominational service, called “The Prayers for the Eve of an Election” featured hymns, scripture and literature excerpts with a goal of giving people a moment of peace and reflection ahead of Tuesday’s presidential election.

As song and prayer filed the sanctuary, a mood of steadfast resolve took the place of unease in anticipation of an uncertain election. Among the crowd of a more than two dozen was Sherah Eavey. She said she came to the service to find peace and re-center. 

“We are really divided. I think it is a really difficult time in our country, and we are really polarized, and I think it is really important to be thoughtful of the things that we have in common,” said Eavey. 

The service did not carry a central message but rather the songs were punctuated with a period of silent reflection, giving each person a moment to pray. 

Eavey said faith helps soothe the worries of what’s next.

“If you believe in that, finding that center, finding that calm and sharing that in a community it really does help. It reduces fear and anxieties about what the future holds because none of us really knows. And we probably won’t know for a little while,” she said. 

Damien Sanchez said the lead-up to November has been overwhelming through the sheer amount of campaign advents.

“It’s constant bombardment, you know, I can’t even turn on the TV and not have that right there in your face and so that has created a lot of anxiety and a lot of tension and a lot at stake,” he said. 

But after the service with other faithfuls, Sanchez said the feeling is a bit lighter. 

“A lot of alleviation of that tension and to know that we are peaceful going into that tomorrow  and we will accept the results,” he said. 

The church has been holding similar services ahead of the elections in 2016 and 2020.

“Wednesday after the election is done it will be a new day, the sun will rise and we have a lot of work to do here in Grand Rapids and around the world and we need to do that together,” Audrey Kawel, director of Children’s Ministry and Faith Development, told News 8.