Bobbi Zaremba sat hunched over her pew at Faith United Church of Christ, 300 E. College Ave., alone in the darkness.

The sign outside welcomed worshippers, but Zaremba (senior-human development and family studies) was the only person kneeling in the dark temple one hour after U.S. forces began bombing Baghdad.

Clutching a sheet with a Christian, Jewish and Muslim prayer and wiping tears from her eyes, Zaremba prayed for a quick end to the war. She also prayed for the protection of her boyfriend who is in the National Guard stateside and other friends who are stationed in the Persian Gulf.

Zaremba was surprised she was alone in the church.

"It seems that people have too many other things on their mind," she said. "They don't care what's going on halfway around the world."

In the Eisenhower Chapel Frizzel room, the Penn State Hillel hoagie social was interrupted by the announcement of war.

"There was just silence and then my eyes started getting watery," said Mike Beruk, a Hillel member.

The group began to discuss the war and its repercussions, especially its impact on Israel.

"We lament the situation," said Seth Mandell, director of Hillel. "Israel, which had no part in this, will be drawn in for crass political reasons on the part of Iraq. We hope and pray no one will be injured. I have friends in Israel right now."

Beruk plans to do some self-meditation but said action is more important than prayer.

"If you pray the hope is there," he said. "But I'm not going to feel better until we get out of there."

Last night 120 area high school students met at the State College Presbyterian Church, 132 W. Beaver Ave.

The Rev. Thomas Lamb said the group formed a circle, held hands and offered prayers.

Lamb said his church will continue peace prayers started before the outbreak of the war.

"We are just not stopping, we are committed to a constant vigil for peace," he said. "We have to show people it's not too late."

Lamb said he was praying for world unity and not just an absence of war.