This Hispanic Heritage Month, American Bible Society celebrates the way that God’s Word continues to be a central pillar in the Hispanic American community. Since 1988, this month has given us the opportunity to remember and celebrate the vibrant cultures and historic accomplishments of Hispanic Americans. We praise God for past and present contributions from Hispanic Americans and the many ways that members of this community enrich our nation, strengthen the global church, and bless our own staff.

“WE HAD EACH OTHER, AND WE HAD GOD.”

“A pandemic of violence.” That’s how Nena Podbury, an Associate for American Bible Society’s Prayer Mobilization team, describes the Bronx neighborhood of her childhood.

“When I was in fourth grade, I ran all the way home from school to escape a deranged man with a hammer,” she says. “That didn’t seem normal to me. It was like evil and moral corruption was assigned just to my zip code. I often asked God, ‘Why did I have to grow up here?’”

The daughter of a Puerto Rican father and Peruvian mother, Nena recalls the comfort she and her brothers found in their family and their faith. “Our parents always reminded us that we had each other, and we had God,” she says. “As long as we had those two things, everything would be all right.”

Nena’s childhood experience is far from unusual for many Hispanic Americans. American Bible Society’s 2021 State of the Bible survey found that while Black and Hispanic respondents are more likely to have endured trauma than their White or Asian peers, they are also more likely to be engaged in God’s Word. In fact, God’s Word is a significant source of strength and hope for Hispanic Americans. Hispanic respondents to our survey were more likely than other groups to say that the Bible made them feel hopeful (21%). In addition, one in four respondents felt peaceful when they read or listened to
the Bible.

FINDING HOPE AND PEACE IN SCRIPTURE

During moments of pain and fear, Nena’s family looked to the comfort and hope of God’s Word, which promises:

Do not be afraid—I am with you!

I am your God—let nothing terrify you!

I will make you strong and help you;

I will protect you and save you.

Isaiah 41:10 GNT

Nena recalls the impact of the Bible on her own experience of childhood trauma.

“My brothers and I survived our trauma because of two things: family and faith,” she says. “Hispanic families value family and faith above all else. We hurt together, and we heal together.”

3 WAYS TO PRAY DURING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

As a prayer warrior for American Bible Society, Nena invites our friends and supporters to please pray with her for the Hispanic American community this month. We praise God for the way his image is reflected in the Hispanic American community and ask the Holy Spirit to heal hearts and transform lives in cities across our nation. Here are three ways you can pray today!

• Pray that Hispanic Americans will be recognized, valued, and celebrated at all levels of society. Pray for increasing opportunities for Hispanic Americans to share their talents, skills, and abilities in support of their communities, and that their contributions would be valued and accepted.

God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 GNT

• Pray for Hispanic immigrants. Pray for the men, women, and children who have left their homelands in search of a better life. Many flee violence, poverty, and war, only to endure fear, uncertainty, and rejection. Pray that they will be welcomed in foreign lands. Ask God to give us compassion for their plight and a willingness to help.

So then, show love for those foreigners, because you were once foreigners in Egypt.

Deuteronomy 10:19 GNT

• Pray for ministry to Hispanic Americans to thrive. The United States is home to 62.1 million Hispanic people, who make up 18.7% of the population. Pray for Catholic, Evangelical, and other ministries as they seek to bring the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ to Hispanic communities. Pray for American Bible Society’s Trauma Healing Ministry, which offers free, Bible-based trauma healing resources like Beyond Disaster in Spanish and hosts trauma healing facilitator trainings online or in your community to help Hispanic Americans find true healing through Jesus Christ.

Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit …

Matthew 28:19 GNT