The prayers were like a cadre of spring butterflies, fluttering together and then apart, making it hard to hear one petition before you realized you were listening to another.

“Thank you for our state leaders and pray they can listen to you and your wisdom …”

“We are praying for your voice in the hearts and minds of our local leaders …”

One man covered his eyes with his hands as he prayed.

“We pray for our military and ask that you keep them safe …”

“Take over in ways we cannot …”

During the National Day of Prayer Thursday, there seemed to be no limit to the hopes lifted up among the groups gathered at the Veterans Memorial on Austin’s Main Street. The annual gathering asked local people to join others across the nation to pray for our leaders. This year’s theme was “Pray for America — Unity.”

“We thank you for your mercy, your goodness and for Jesus … we ask that you would hear these things and … give us grace,” said Pastor Mike Sager of Faith Church, who led the group.

He read a note from Austin Superintendent of Schools Dave Krenz, who could not attend.

Krenz asked that the group “pray for strength, for all of us to provide equal opportunities to all our children, no matter if they are from other countries, come from poverty or need support to overcome illness and tragedy in the face of national fear and misunderstanding.”

For 20 minutes, the faithful prayed for leaders and loved ones. The 40 or so who attended gathered into a half a dozen prayer groups. Each group offered their own prayers, so that the petitions, often overlapping, were constant.

“I pray for Hispanic churches, for Nigerian churches …”

“Impart wisdom and knowledge so they can lead us …”

“Lift up this nation, this community …”

“Surround them with your angels …”

“Change our hearts.”

A younger man kneeled, head bowed, while an older man laid a hand on his shoulder. Nearby, a woman and her young niece shared a brightly-colored blanket. The young girl played quietly while the aunt prayed.

Travis Young, 51, of Austin, said he has attended many Days of Prayer. Praying together, he said, is special.

“Somehow, a group of people praying makes that prayer stronger,” he said.

Mayor Tom Stiehm was in attendance, noting the positive aspect of the event.

“I come to say thank you to our community and for our community,” he said.

Sager urged those attending to align their hopes to the apostle Paul who, in his letter to Timothy, said:

“I urge, then, … that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”