Jesus-loving Chris Pratt has been speaking about his faith again as he reveals that rumors Hollywood is anti-Christian are false.
The Guardians of the Galaxy star is a devout Christian and has been increasingly vocal about his religion in recent years.
While accepting the MTV’s Generation Award in June, he shared a little of his gospel, telling the next generation: ‘God is real. God loves you, God wants the best for you. Believe that, I do.’
This Aug. 14, 2018 image taken from video shows actor Chris Pratt during an interview at the Fellow Bar in Los Angeles. Pratt met with disabled athletes as part of the nonprofit group Achilles International. He surprised them with the news that they’re being sponsored in the New York City Marathon. (AP Photo/Jeff Turner)
He also urged, at the TV and movie awards ceremony: ‘Learn to pray. It’s easy and it is so good for your soul.’
When asked for his motivation behind that speech, Pratt explained that he felt it was his calling.
‘I don’t know that I am so much more motivated by where the world is, or if it’s just what I’m feeling called to do right now. I think it’s a combination of both things.
‘That kind of a message, it might not be for everybody. But there is a group of people for whom that message is designed. And nothing fills my soul more than to think that maybe some kid watching that would say, ‘Hey, I’ve been thinking about that. I’ve been thinking about praying. Let me try that out.’
‘That’s like the only way I feel like I can repay what has essentially been a giant gift in my life.’
Pratt dismissed the idea that talking so openly about his faith, particularity at a non-religious event, could be a risk in Hollywood.
‘I think that there’s this narrative that exists out there that Hollywood is anti-Christian or anti-religious, but it’s just not the case,’ he said.
‘They are kind of not anti-anything. They are kind of pro whatever is authentic to you.
‘And I like that. Because it’s authentic for me to be pro-Christian, pro-Jesus. That’s my thing. I like it.
‘And I’ve never had anyone try to shame me, to my face. Maybe they go say it behind my back. But if that’s the case, go ahead. You can say whatever you want about me – to my face or behind my back. I’m not going to change.’
Aside from his Christianity, Pratt said that exercise way a major motivator in his life.
The interview with The Associated Press, took place after Michelob Ultra, which Pratt is a spokesman for, announced it was sponsoring seven athletes with disabilities, part of the nonprofit group Achilles International, to run in the New York City Marathon.
‘It’s hard enough to do a marathon or to do a triathlon. But to do it when you have physical limitations and disabilities, it’s pretty awe-inspiring,’ he said, adding that fitness is ‘a great common denominator.’
The 39-year-old actor, who enjoys biking, running and ocean swimming when at his farm in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state, says that he feels he was ‘genetically made for… moving refrigerators or something.’
‘But now I’m doing a job that really isn’t that physically demanding. So having something that I can just shut my mind off and do physically every day is good for me.’
The Jurassic World actor added that he is a little self-conscious about his running skills, after breaking his leg as a child left one of his legs crooked, and so he was in awe of actors like Tom Cruise who could sprint flawlessly on screen and did their own stunts.
‘When I run, I run a little crooked. And if I run at top speed, there’s a high likelihood I will fall down,’ he said.
‘Tom Cruise. ‘Mission: Impossible’ – he ran across London, across bridges, over buildings. Yeah, Tom is a great runner. He did all his own jumping, he was flying the helicopter, he really was like – oh, if there’s a question of whether or not I’m the best at this, let me put that question to bed. He’s the best.’
But it was Cruise’s reputation that Pratt said he most admired.
‘One of the career goals that I have based on Tom Cruise is his reputation as being a really nice, positive guy who works hard. I’ve never actually met him, but I would like – if you’re going to leave a legacy, it’d be nice to have it be that people thought you were nice and easy to work with and you worked hard. I think that’s pretty cool.’