Chris Pratt has never been shy about declaring his faith on public platforms throughout Hollywood and beyond.
“God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that. I do,” he charged on the Teen Choice Award stage this year, before also encouraging viewers to pray and rest their imperfections in God’s perfect grace.
“I love God, that’s my thing, I love him! And you should too!” he later added.
And that’s certainly not the only time he’s been boldly open about his love for God and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior.
In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Pratt opened up about why sharing religious messages with his fans is so important to him:
“It is an authentic thing for me, and that kind of a message, it may 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 might say, ‘Hey, I’ve been thinking about that. I’ve been thinking about praying. Let me try that out.'”
On top of hoping to be a role model for children and the general public, the actor hopes spreading the Good News of God’s love can act as minor repayment for the huge blessings he’s been given in his life.
“That is the only way I feel like I can repay what has essentially been such a giant gift in my life,” he said.
“It’s authentic for me to be pro-Christian, pro-Jesus. That’s my thing,” he continued. “You know, I like it, and I’ve never had anyone try to shame me.”
Pratt jokes that there might be people in Hollywood who say things behind his back, but it leaves him undaunted: “You can say whatever you want about me—to my face or behind my back. I’m not going to change.”
See more from Chris Pratt in the Associated Press interview below:
