Second annual Pray for the Nations event hosted at bandshell Saturday
Published 4:30 pm Monday, July 14, 2025
1 of 5
On Saturday, July 12, Living Bible Church – House on Fire hosted its second annual Pray for the Nations event, filled with prayer, worship and music at Bandshell Park.
Rick and Robin Moe pastor the church together and wanted to bring a prayer event to Austin that recognizes the people in the community, who come from nations around the world.
“We’re told that there are 50 countries represented here in Austin,” Robin said. “We have a flag for each one of those countries that represents the people here.”
The flags were set up in circular formations by area – all of Asia, Africa, Eurasia, Europe, North and South America.
“We take turns going into each of the circles and praying for that area,” Robin said. “We talk about the areas and pray for them.”
According to Rick, a highlight of last year’s event was when a woman and her three children who weren’t a part of the event originally, passed by the bandshell and saw their flag.
“They were from Benin,” Rick said. “They walked over to their flag and just stood there. We saw that and met with them and prayed with them.”
Witnessing that was exactly what the Moes set out to do with the event.
“That’s the heart of what we want to do here in Austin,” Robin added. “We went to a council meeting and talked about all the diversity we have here. We said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could all communicate better and become one.’”
The Moes have set out to gather people together because of faith. With different cultural groups within the churches here, their dream is to simply gather and recognize each other.
“My dream is to eventually play these people’s music, worship together, and pray in their language,” Robin said. “I think we could make better connections that way.”
The Pray for the Nations event ran from 3-5 p.m., which went right into the second half of the evening, Celebrate49.
“49 years ago, we celebrated the bicentennial,” Rick said. “I was here in Austin as a 16 year old and partook in the festivities. What was different then was that I was not a person of faith. I did not profess Jesus Christ. But here I am 49 years later, living in my hometown, and I am a pastor alongside my wife and am a man of faith.”
At 5 p.m., the music kicked off with a teen praise band from Wells, Minnesota. The band is led by Josh Edwards, co-founder and director of Connect Ministries. From 6:30-9 p.m., folk rock musician Randy Stonehill performed. Stonehill is known as one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music at a time when Christian music was changing.
“They called it the Jesus Revolution,” Rick said. “He brought in guitars and drums and was one of those initial guys that brought rock and roll into the church setting.”
Celebrate49 also featured free pizza and drinks for all those who participated. Also at participants’ disposal was the chance to be prayed for by those coordinating the event.
“Next year at Celebrate50, we’re hoping to go a little bigger,” Rick said. “A few more singers, longer run time.”
Source link